80mm Super Scorpion Repaint

[seaviper]

While Scorpion 1 is in the shop for gear repair, it's also getting a repaint. An order has been made with Callie Graphics :)

[seaviper]

Slowly but surely

[Boots Whirlygig]

Wow, I like it. Is this a pattern that exists or your own design? What kind of paint are you using, and how involved was the prep work?

[F106DeltaDart]

Nice work! Looks very good in the arctic camo scheme, almost looks like an aggressor that would show up at red flag.

[seaviper]

Getting there step by step. I am using Valspar spray paint from Lowes. The masking is done with wet strips of cut paper shop towels. This doesn't lift paint when it comes up and it gives me a very slightly fuzzy edge.
Pattern is my own design loosely based on the USAF scheme. I have a set of decals from Callie on the way. I will also be making some of my own decals as well as tinting the canopy.

Prep work was rubber gloves, acetone, paper towels, and some elbow grease. I sprayed her with a good coat of that Valspar primer (lightly, from a distance) until i got her coated really good. Then I wet sanded with 220 grit sandpaper before assembly and painting. She had twelve flights on her before being taken down for painting.

I need to find some good pilot figures for her.

I first cut thin strips of blue shop towels with a ruler, a cutting mat, and a rotary cutter (all gifts from my wife's sewing collection...she gave them to me), wet them in water, then pull them around the curves much like when applying trim tape.
Next I lay in bigger pieces behind the thin ones. After that it's just normal masking. I do ROLL a dry cotton swab over the edge before I paint and make sure there is no water on the surfaces to be painted.
I would not try this with water soluble paints.

[seaviper]

Got the black painted today. Still have decals and the cockpit to do. I tried tinting the canopy with dye. No success. Edit: well maybe a little success. I am trying different methods.


Tomorrow I will re-install the electronics and the power system and set everything up for flying.
Scorpion 2 will be re-painted into a different aggressor scheme.

[Aros]

Great job! Looks fantastic in the Arctic Aggressor scheme! :Cool:

[seaviper]

Thanks Aros! Your article on painting got me started on this project.

[Westsider]

I knew it, it looks great! Everything looks good in that sheme. That does it, I'm painting the lawn mower like that this spring. And maybe the dog house, and ...

[seaviper]

Moderator...would it be possible to get a section on custom repaints added somewhere? Like a forum where people could post threads on their repaint projects.

[F106DeltaDart]

It is just now hitting me that this model looks very similar to the ATG Javelin. Funny thing is, that airplane is up for the Air Force Trainer competition. If it wins, which is unlikely, but possible, it might actually be realistic to have it painted in aggressor camo :). Again, stunning work! You have made a model that never seemed interesting to me look awesome! Amazing what a good paint job can do for a model. If you painted the gear white as well, it would be the final touch on this beauty!

[Aros]

Thanks Aros! Your article on painting got me started on this project.

Oh that's awesome! Glad to hear that! Again, great job!

[Aros]

I knew it, it looks great! Everything looks good in that sheme. That does it, I'm painting the lawn mower like that this spring. And maybe the dog house, and ...

LOL!! That's how I feel about that livery too...Thanks for the morning L O L ... LOL

[seaviper]

Got started with the vinyl decals. These are from Callie Graphics and are of the highest quality. However, I still prefer water slide decals.
But with this black I had no choice.

Still have a lot to do. But she is starting to look more like an aggressor now!

[Prowler901]

That's really impressive! Gives a whole new very aggressive look. Nice job! :Cool:

[Beeg]

Looks great Seaviper! Well done.

[Alpha]

Well done, Seaviper! That's a job worth every effort. From your wet paper towel masking technique to Callie's decals, the entire model is well executed. The 1/12 jet pilot busts from jethangar.com (our friend JetMang) would be worth trying in the Super Scorpion. I'm not 100% sure how they'll size up compared to the cockpit, but they are highly detailed and help complete the overall look.

[Kloverzero]

Awesome Seaviper!!! I would have never thought to use wet shop towels!! Now I gotta go paint something just to try it out!! Excellent work.

[Aros]

Freewing might want to take a look at those photos and decide if a fantasy AA livery might be worth exploring! Completely changes how I look at that jet.

[Prowler901]

If you are still trying to tint the canopy, then try Model Masters "Smoke". It's a very translucent black. I've used it on some sci-fi models. Works well.