painting a foam warbird

[Grossman56]

RE: painting a foam warbird

The p40 got painted today, looks much better now, or should I say more authentic.  These birds were scrap by US standards and wouldn't have been flown let alone used in combat, so I beat her up a bit.


She'll be a great match for the P51B who also looks like she's flown her 50 missions

Grossman56

[ryramZ]

RE: painting a foam warbird

Nice looking!

[doctormike]

RE: painting a foam warbird

Really looks good, Gman! I wonder if flat Varathane would work on the tires. Also what about some chipped paint on the prop and spinner? Your antiqueing has inspired me! I might dust off my old air brush. Doc

[Grossman56]

RE: painting a foam warbird

That's a good thought Doc, I used satin Varathane for the base coat, but even that was too shiny.  As for the prop, the P51B kinda took care of her own!
It got marked up pretty good and I was going to change it, but it looked so authentic that I left it on.

The flat Varathane would be a great final coat and would take care of the spinner as well, have to look into that.  Would be a good coat on the Mustang as well as I like the idea of a UV filter on my planes.  Thanks for the tip!
As a matter of interest, I wonder if the guys at Motion would give us the paint numbers to match the original colors, if anyone gets a scan on the paint or knows what the numbers are, please share, There really isn't any place that I can scan now!

Grossman56

BTW, the dirt and the chipping on the wheels is all natural, the real thing!

[doctormike]

RE: painting a foam warbird

Gman, wouldn't this technique look GREAT on the upcoming C-47?!!! By the way, you can mix the satin and flat to get the perfect sheen. Doc

[Grossman56]

RE: painting a foam warbird

It certainly would Doc.  I love my planes as I feel they represent something from our history so they should look the part.  Don't forget that they also represent a vet who took them to war, do both the airplane and the pilot honor and:
"never forget, it's because of our vets"
God Bless all of you, past and present.

So far my planes represent Bud Anderson, RT Smith, John Landers and Don Gentile, hope to add more.

Grossman56

[doctormike]

RE: painting a foam warbird

Good idea, Gman. Don't forget the pilots who risked there lives developing and flying the 1930 racing planes ( my personal favorite). These planes are where the great WW2 war planes came from. I know the 40's was a hellatious time, but I still get all fuzzy inside thinking of how the USA came together and spit out all those planes. ( The 40's big band music is my favorite.) I know how you like P-51's. As far as I'm concerned, the P-51 and her pilots all but won the war against Germany. I'd bet only half the bombers would have made it to Germany and back without the P-51's. How about them Red Tails?! Doc

[Grossman56]

RE: painting a foam warbird

I'm with you there Doc.  We used to have to big band music playing in our DC3 .  Ahh the days of my youth when the RCAF was selling off the last of its P51's for $1800 per.  Tried like heck to persuade my Dad.......
I'm really hoping that FMS or Freewing hop on the band wagon and get a 1400mm Spitfire, Hurricane or Me109E in this new generation of planes they're putting out.
BUT, the one that I'd REALLY like to see come out is either a1400mm or 1700mm F8F Bearcat.  This was the last of a generation of prop driven fighters and reportedly would have kicked a.. against anything in the sky.
Yeah, I know they have 'rare bear', but belly landing, come on....
I've seen various F8F's that guys have built and they are beautiful, and best of all, different!!


Grossman56