I
have always wanted to build a winter camouflaged German aircraft so just made
this experiment with an old Monogram 1/48 Ju87-G. I wanted to share this
‘cause the results matched my expectations and also wanted to learn more from
other modelers’ comments. Here’s basically what I did:
- Build
and paint the model with its original bomber scheme.
- Protect
that scheme with a clear gloss acrylic coat.
- Apply
the “temporary” white enamel color.
- Wash
it off with a solvent damped rag.
- Apply
decals and markings
- Apply
the final dull coat.
1.
First I painted my Stuka on the standard RLM 70/71/65 bomber scheme without the
markings.
2.
Next I sprayed a couple of clear acrylic gloss coats to protect the original
colors. Once dry, the acrylic coat resists the solvent well.
3.
Next step is to apply the white color covering over all the greens areas except
for the cockpit frame. Spray always on the direction of the wind as if the plane
was flying, creating the effect of the paint wearing off; leave some areas so
thin that you can almost see the original green scheme. Let it dry for another
day. Then it comes the best part: wash off of the white paint.
4.
I read that this paint was a temporary water based color and it really washed
off with weather; so I used a lint free rag lightly damped with mineral
spirits to imitate this. This solvent is not so strong and it will not
remove all the paint at the first contact so one can work it easy as it goes.
The acrylic clear coat will protect the original colors so you can be confident
not to ruin the greens scheme.
Since
this old Monogram kit has raised panel lines it only takes a pass with the rag
to remove the white color on those edges leaving a nice panel demarcation
effect. The same will occur with all that raised detail like rivets and access
doors.
Combining
reference photos and common sense the first parts to wear off will be the wings
and tail leading edge, engine cowling and high traffic areas for both crew and
maintenance personnel. You can go as far as you like. It’s nice to see the
original scheme reappearing here and there.
5.
Once the wash off was done I painted the yellow tail band and applied all
decals. At this point I’m not so sure if ground crews masked all the markings
and then applied the white paint, but some pictures of overall white aircraft
show a well defined edge between the markings and the white color. I have also
seen white mottling schemes and they look like they did not care to mask the
markings but rather avoid them. I appreciate inputs on this mater.
6.
Finally, I covered that unrealistic glossy finish with dull coat, airbrushed
exhaust stains and oil spills and unmask windows. A few more details here and
there and Listo!
I
really enjoyed this “experiment”. I really appreciate any comments and
critics; it helps me on learning more so I can feel ready for my next winterized
model:
a
Bf 109 F….
Ricardo
from Juárez, México.
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