Guys (non-gender term), I'm in need of some.color suggestions for my buildings and the equipment and vehicles to be found there. I'm thinking,very early war,say '39- 40'ish or maybe Battle of Britain period. First off, I need a color for RAF blue and Sky ,too. I like ModelMasters a lot and it's easily sourced here,too. I have to do my hobbyshopping online.
Not sure what colour no.s to use, but for reference, why not go to the IWM Duxford website, and try the Airfix, or Airfix tribute sites for the colours used on their Airfield control tower kit!
Red brick and/or concrete for the buildings. Aifix will shortly release a 1:72 Bomber Re-supply set, which will contain several vehicles, bomb trolleys, etc, which could be very useful.
Thanks for the help. What I'm really interested in is which colors to by. Model Masters is my best option for paint. I'm not.looking for color numbers but who's paint I have access to for a good match. That's the only brand available to me locally,anything else I have to mail order. I will look at the UK Airfix sight. I can't find much on the Hornby site here in the US. In fact the US site only has the new set to be released soon and nothing else. It's the only place I can find what the colors on the sheet are. Why do they only put the color number from their own brand on the sheet. I loved using Hombrol paints but have trouble getting more. I live in small town Oklahoma and have to drive a 100 miles round trip to the nearest hobby shoppe. The HobbyLobby near me is slowly getting out of the model business. Some days it sucks to be me ......
I have never used Model Master, so I can't help directly, but try this: http://www.paint4models.com/
You can download a .pdf, or run the chart in your browser. Should give you close matches for Humbrol-->Model Master. It also does most other "major" paint brands too, so is very useful.
For things like buildings, you will be doing weathering etc. to them anyway, so the base colour isn't really critical - just choose one that looks about right for bricks (either the obvious "Brick Red" if there is one, or Hull Red, or something like that) etc. and go to town with washes and drybrushing to get the result you want. There are loads of tutorials (both written and on Youtube) about weathering buildings (a lot of model train stuff crosses over) so have a read around until you find a technique you like.
Quote from: pyro-manic on June 05, 2013, 03:01:59 PM
I have never used Model Master, so I can't help directly, but try this: http://www.paint4models.com/
You can download a .pdf, or run the chart in your browser. Should give you close matches for Humbrol-->Model Master. It also does most other "major" paint brands too, so is very useful.
Doesn't have a .pdf feature, but if you punch in blue, Art-Paints (http://www.art-paints.com/) in their search engine, it'll get you to an approximation, and product number so you can find it later.
Thanks,guys I'm going to bookmark that site for future reference. What about camo on the buildings ? The Airfix control tower has a camo paint scheme and the hanger in the background of some of the boxart has a grey/green camo,too. This might be of help for the lack of info on the Airfix instructions sheet.
Try these
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.twinwoodairfield.co.uk%2F_wp_generated%2Fwpbbd08c91_1b.jpg&hash=0d0d392e10de08002966dbd30d1cdb3712641824)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi277.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fkk56%2Fparksie_01%2Fcontrol_1.jpg&hash=0eaae53dda3d1229b0229693de0e544b7b428973)
And a set of instructions for Airfix Control Tower
http://airfixtributeforum.myfastforum.org/Airfix_HO_00_Airfield_Control_Tower_03380__about24025.html (http://airfixtributeforum.myfastforum.org/Airfix_HO_00_Airfield_Control_Tower_03380__about24025.html)
Humbrol 96 is RAF blue, the type used on ground vehicles and such. I don't know of a match in Model Master I'm afraid.
Model Master do an RAF Sky (RAF Sky Blue they call it, but it's pale green). 2049 in the enamel range, 4840 in the Acryl range.
Quote from: Mossie on June 06, 2013, 01:30:05 AM
Humbrol 96 is RAF blue, the type used on ground vehicles and such. I don't know of a match in Model Master I'm afraid.
During WWII a lot of ground equipment was painted green as camouflage.There was a series or article's in the Old Airfix magazine back in the days when it was a Small sized magazine, 1970's if I remember correctly.
Quote from: Mossie on June 06, 2013, 01:30:05 AM
Model Master do an RAF Sky (RAF Sky Blue they call it, but it's pale green). 2049 in the enamel range, 4840 in the Acrylic range.
That Sky colour, used on aircraft undersides, is much debated over with regards to how green or how blue it actually is, however it would
not be used on buildings.
Have you tried using this site? (http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/colorcharts/colorcharts_2.asp) Unfortunately they only give the Humbrol 96 as RAF Blue or Tamiya XF-50 as true, or near enough, colours. Scaling factors could be taken into account but something "near enough" should do. Another alternative is to look up the paint chip, if you can find the FS equivalent. FS paint chips are also available on the above link, then you can find or mix your own version. Yet another possibility is to look at colour pictures from that period and then match your colour. As with anything, a little thought will bring up lots of possible ways of doing things.
Hope this helps.
Gondor
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi277.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fkk56%2Fparksie_01%2Fcontrol_1.jpg&hash=0eaae53dda3d1229b0229693de0e544b7b428973)
Does anybody know what the two Union Flag shaped things are on top of the control tower? I've often wondered but never been able to figure out what they were meant to be.
It's simply a billboard mounting. A number would be displayed on the board, IIRC this was the identifier for the airfield?
Quote from: Mossie on June 06, 2013, 06:05:04 AM
It's simply a billboard mounting. A number would be displayed on the board, IIRC this was the identifier for the airfield?
More likely the runway in use.
Quote from: Father Ennis on June 05, 2013, 01:27:16 AM
Guys (non-gender term), I'm in need of some.color suggestions for my buildings and the equipment and vehicles to be found there. I'm thinking,very early war,say '39- 40'ish or maybe Battle of Britain period. First off, I need a color for RAF blue and Sky ,too. I like ModelMasters a lot and it's easily sourced here,too. I have to do my hobbyshopping online.
There is a Humbrol enamel that is actually called "RAF Blue" (#96) - I suppose that it is the authentic tone you are looking for?
There's no direct corresponding MM tone - FS35123 is close, but lighter. I'd use that for dry-brushing on H96, though.
Concerning Sky, Humbrol #90 is a good option, besides the Sky from Testors/ModelMaster. The Humbrol tone is slightly lighter and a tad more yellow-ish. Tamiya's Sky is also great, but it is VERY bright, as if it had radioactive ingredients... My fave is H90.
Thanks,guys !!! You have been a big help. I found the Unofficial(?)Airfix mirrored forum last night and found that they had had a GB at one time and it had a number of offerings of the Control Tower kit. Pretty much they were all painted Dark earth/Dark green. I also got a better idea on building a partial hanger,too. In a photo there was a blue painted hanger that looked pretty easy to make. A lot easier than my ancient kit. I'll post something on it later. What I'm interested in paint wise, is a recommendations for paints to use. I know the color but which is the "best" of the choices for the Dark Earth,for example. Like I said,I'm not much of an aircraft modeler and the ones I used to run with were rivet counters.
The reasons I use MM paints a lot is they are easy for me to get. Anything else I have to mail order so I have to plan ahead.
Quote from: Father Ennis on June 06, 2013, 01:52:24 PM
Thanks,guys !!! You have been a big help. I found the Unofficial(?)Airfix mirrored forum last night and found that they had had a GB at one time and it had a number of offerings of the Control Tower kit. Pretty much they were all painted Dark earth/Dark green. I also got a better idea on building a partial hanger,too. In a photo there was a blue painted hanger that looked pretty easy to make. A lot easier than my ancient kit. I'll post something on it later. What I'm interested in paint wise, is a recommendations for paints to use. I know the color but which is the "best" of the choices for the Dark Earth,for example. Like I said,I'm not much of an aircraft modeler and the ones I used to run with were rivet counters.
The reasons I use MM paints a lot is they are easy for me to get. Anything else I have to mail order so I have to plan ahead.
See below, your question has already been answered. There is no need to try and match a number/colour as bricks, concrete, corrugated Iron etc all give different finishes to any paint applied to them. They will also weather differently.
Quote from: pyro-manic on June 05, 2013, 03:01:59 PM
For things like buildings, you will be doing weathering etc. to them anyway, so the base colour isn't really critical - just choose one that looks about right for bricks (either the obvious "Brick Red" if there is one, or Hull Red, or something like that) etc. and go to town with washes and drybrushing to get the result you want. There are loads of tutorials (both written and on Youtube) about weathering buildings (a lot of model train stuff crosses over) so have a read around until you find a technique you like.
Artist licence is one of your main tools, go with what looks right
Gondor
Thanks for you comment. My issue was that I haven't ever seen a. photo showing an airfield building ... !!!! My favorite method for bricks is a nice red-brown base and as many different shades as possible to paint random bricks. I've found that the light grey of Japanese fighters thinned,makes the best morter. All my reference material is for armor and related vehicles,as I only bought kits of aircraft and never built any !!!!!! I've only got one photo of an RAF vehicle and its dark earth overall. If I could source a 1/35 Defiant turrets I would scratch build another Beverette a/c and put it on it,like my photo. My only airfield photos are either French German and Italian. I'm not even sure I have a US one.
I'm having a rethink on this one as I got to thinking just how large a footprint this would have to be. But I'm thinking I might just make several interlocking bases. Each would have a segment of the total but also be a stand alone diarama. Has anyone done anything like this before ? I was thinking I wanted the control tower ,trucks and vehicles plus my run of Spitfires and a bomber and hanger or two. My kit is a full sized 1/72 scale one but I'm thinking I can make a partial hanger of a different type.
Quote from: deathjester on June 06, 2013, 06:56:43 AM
Quote from: Mossie on June 06, 2013, 06:05:04 AM
It's simply a billboard mounting. A number would be displayed on the board, IIRC this was the identifier for the airfield?
More likely the runway in use.
Exactly, and still used in some places even today. Our gliding club use the boards for our runway-in-use, or they do when the Duty Launch Point Controller remembers to get them out of the hangar! ;D
Can anyone recommend somewhere I can find pictures of airfields and the equipment found there ? After checking my references I found one picture of the crane truck and the tractor trailer ,both painted in RAF Blue but nothing else. I visited the Airfix tribute site and found the fuel trucks were in post war schemes but they didn't mention what the war time color was ... ???
Slightly off topic but was this tower the building used in the movie "
Memphis Belle"?
Quote from: dadlamassu on June 05, 2013, 11:10:10 PM
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.twinwoodairfield.co.uk%2F_wp_generated%2Fwpbbd08c91_1b.jpg&hash=0d0d392e10de08002966dbd30d1cdb3712641824)
'Coz it certainly looks like it!
:cheers:
Guy
It is the control tower at Twinwood Airfield which was renovated in 2002. Do not think it was used in the film made in 1990. It is a standard type that was used all over the country.
'Memphis Belle' was filmed at Bassingborne IIRC, but then there are LOADS of standard RAF type towers all over the place, even now.
Will it be RAF or FAA watch office?
I didn't know there were differences for the RAF and FAA ? Since all my aircraft are going to.be in RAF markings I'll have to go with them.
The control tower looks to have a common dark earth/dark green paint scheme. What about.aircraft hangers ? I've seen art work with both overall RAF blue and medium grey/dark green ,too. The instructions from my Airfix airfield equipment has a number of colors for them. I'm going for the 40-42 time frame. The standard vehicle paint scheme for UK vehicles was dark earth overall. Was the RAF equipment the same. I've got pictures of the recovery equipment in overall RAF blue which is the same as the color given for them. Red fire equipment is pretty standard. But what about trucks and cars ? Did they use standard (dark earth) or RAF Blimp or were both applied and if so what were the orders on that ?
Thanks guys. I'm really getting stoked over this. I like to have my projects fully worked out before I start. It keeps me on track and gives a way to be flexible but not stray too far afield when I get an idea.
These are my notes from my (1983) copy of "Wheels of the RAF" by Bruce Robertson and other sources:
Up to 30s, Army Khaki or Dark Earth
30s-1940 (Battle of Britain) - RAF Blue/grey
1940 (Battle of Britain) - disruptive pattern applied to MT based in SE England similar to that of aircraft, but using industrial camouflage paint intended for buildings (he doesn't mention shades but probably earth and green)
August 1941 - standard scheme for RAF vehicles introduced of overall khaki green no3 with disruptive scheme of Nobel's tarmac green no 4 (Same scheme was applied to Army vehicles)
Also, yellowish gas detector patches were applied where the driver could see them to the offside mudguard or bonnet, yellow square until 1941, brownish yellow blotch after this. After '43 paint in general had anti-gas properties.
September 1943 - new scheme of MT brown special (similar to Dark Earth) and Matt Black (again, same as Army) Usually applied in the Mickey Mouse pattern. Depending on who did the painting, whether a spray or brush was used and the amount of thinners used the colours varied quite a bit.
For the invasion of Europe, khaki drab (a greenish colour not as dark as olive drab) replaced the brown.
Canadian and US supplied vehicles in Olive Drab.
Late 44 - Khaki drab overall (vehicles to be repainted when in for repair or overhaul)
This was the main pattern, but as always there are exceptions:
Overseas
BEF1939-40 - Many vehicles painted in disruptive scheme of Khaki and green in the field
Western Desert - Standard scheme was middle stone, sometime with dark earth in patches. Also "sand yellow" and "sand".
2 TAF -Home markings, but with the white star
Far East - Standard Blue-grey until Burma campaign, when a general change to Olive green.
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fhmvf.co.uk%2Fforumvb%2Fattachment.php%3Fattachmentid%3D22675%26amp%3Bd%3D1266152066%26amp%3Bthumb%3D1&hash=414e15ca30f74aff11aa6cef1656d899e0549756)
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(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lincsaviation.co.uk%2Flibrary%2Fcrew_bus.jpg&hash=45afed872c183c0d183e243c00ae84cc1a1b6f18)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fhmvf.co.uk%2Fforumvb%2Fattachment.php%3Fattachmentid%3D22676%26amp%3Bd%3D1269162089%26amp%3Bthumb%3D1&hash=1749c680a48e5a91338fba801a7fba4cb59a08a3)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fhmvf.co.uk%2Fforumvb%2Fattachment.php%3Fattachmentid%3D25612%26amp%3Bstc%3D1%26amp%3Bthumb%3D1%26amp%3Bd%3D1270671118&hash=726c8d9d6c938267a384dcbb5e37baf9c1773447)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ft0.gstatic.com%2Fimages%3Fq%3Dtbn%3AANd9GcQr_3v_DaEPS1o_nyhtsU7DJtCABjw4iC9MLoB9FArYw_2OBaR_&hash=d89a9e22a88c6bf45ad89986fb04e2aebf14d489)
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WoW !!!!!! That is great information you've provided me my friend. That's just what I'm looking for,too. The pictures are a big help,too. What is that beast in the second photo ? It looks like a three wheel gas tank !!!!!! Don't think I'd like to be the driver !!!
I'd like to say a big thank-you to you all for your help on this project. I've even scored a control tower kit from a member,too. I'm just about ready to begin on this long term project,now. Just not sure I'll be putting it when its done. Guess I'll be needing a new apartment,now .......
Again, Humbrol offers IMHO a good Dark Earth enamel (#29), and there's an option from Model Master from their Authentic Line - slightly lighter and less yellow-ish. The latter would be my choice for a sun-bleached building. Model Master also has a good RAF Dark Green.
Quote from: Father Ennis on June 08, 2013, 04:25:51 PM
WoW !!!!!! That is great information you've provided me my friend. That's just what I'm looking for,too. The pictures are a big help,too. What is that beast in the second photo ? It looks like a three wheel gas tank !!!!!! Don't think I'd like to be the driver !!!
It is a Thompson TB3 Petrol and Oil Tender.
You can get lots for an airfield here http://www.djparkins.com/acatalog/1_72ndwwii.html (http://www.djparkins.com/acatalog/1_72ndwwii.html)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.djparkins.com%2Facatalog%2Fthompson_tb3_refueller-1_s.jpg&hash=244de0fef84b3280017bf8a2d422a1f1ddf64f0b)
And Airfix are soon to release
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi6.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy228%2FLarry58%2FAirfixBomberRe-Supply.jpg&hash=b738ba8400d5c897a51ae9ddf5cd9a3f33f79709)