Official FlightLine 1600mm B-25J Mitchell PNP Thread

[Evan D]

Take a part to a Lowes or Home Depot and they can match the paint.

[borntoolate]

Take a part to a Lowes or Home Depot and they can match the paint.

This is what I do to have a color matched. I have had great success. It is relatively inexpensive as well - usually under $4 for a small container which is more than enough to paint an entire plane. I do use an airbrush however, so my paint usually goes on thin, making the paint go much farther.

Bob

[Warbird Nut]

I am getting mildly frustrated. I took the wing to my local hardware store (live in a small town) that claims they have a state of the art paint matching matching and minimum amount was a quart $29. Was too brown by a lot. Brought it back the next day to get more green. Worked for a while on it and said this was as close as he could get. Too Gray.

Went to see grandson yesterday in Des Moines and went to Lowe's with my wing. You bet they can match it they said. Minimum a quart $25. Too brown.

Anybody have numbers on their paint that did match? Percentages? Not sure how they do it.

Thanks, Steve

[Elbee]

I am getting mildly frustrated. I took the wing to my local hardware store (live in a small town) that claims they have a state of the art paint matching matching and minimum amount was a quart $29. Was too brown by a lot. Brought it back the next day to get more green. Worked for a while on it and said this was as close as he could get. Too Gray.

Went to see grandson yesterday in Des Moines and went to Lowe's with my wing. You bet they can match it they said. Minimum a quart $25. Too brown.

Anybody have numbers on their paint that did match? Percentages? Not sure how they do it.

Thanks, Steve

Hey Steve,

I have used Home Depot (HD) for 4 foamie repaints (Behr brand) in exterior latex.

I have not tried to get an exact OEM color match as the liveries I have done are full repaints and were non-OEM paint schemes.

That written, HD sells sample paint in a 7 ounce (250ml) container. It's around $6.00USD as I recall.

I have always taken an airbrushed example sample to be scanned from Mig/Ammo Paint. In my experience, these are as accurate as I can reference for my use.

Every paint scanner uses similar tech, I have found it still comes down to the mixer.

I don't think HD mixes a matte in the sample latex.

I overspray the entire model after the markings are on with a matte clear rattle can and then 'weather' if required on top of that coat of matte clear.

I could be wrong about the matte sample size, but again, I always spray a matte clear coat over everything to bring it together and then weather as I deem fit.

Short of a tarmac fresh paint job, you could do something similarly. Weathering most often covers myriad sins. And you can quote me on that.

Best, LB

[f4u ausie]

I am getting mildly frustrated. I took the wing to my local hardware store (live in a small town) that claims they have a state of the art paint matching matching and minimum amount was a quart $29. Was too brown by a lot. Brought it back the next day to get more green. Worked for a while on it and said this was as close as he could get. Too Gray.

Went to see grandson yesterday in Des Moines and went to Lowe's with my wing. You bet they can match it they said. Minimum a quart $25. Too brown.

Anybody have numbers on their paint that did match? Percentages? Not sure how they do it.

Thanks, Steve

Heres my2 cents worth if it helps...brown is pretty much red green and black or white ,, to darken.... by those 4 in the smallest size possible(maybe small tamiya tins)... get some touch up brushe and play(mixn match as u c fit),,, u never no it might b fun.... 2 things to keep in mind,, passtle type colors will dry darker (mostly) so put a dab on mayb a bit of wood or like and let it dry... and in my trade (auto paint) the diffrence between a good or bad matcher,, is a good blend(fade the paint) meaning cover your repair and thinn it down to spread it.. as lb sais if get it close u can paint one wing,,upper lower whatever it is ,, or a fuse section.. but just remember cover the repair and blend (reduce it)...... one last thing.. the best color matcher for old passtel colors ,, will b on old school painter,, lots of those colors bak then..... so in a small (frindly town) there mayb on almost old bloke like me.. who does touch ups free... takes me 5 minuts,, and they almost always come back later for paying body work. .... theres enuf reading ,, to either bore or intrest u have fun b safe

[Elbee]

f4u ausie, Best, LB

[borntoolate]

Hey Steve,

I have used Home Depot (HD) for 4 foamie repaints (Behr brand) in exterior latex.

I have not tried to get an exact OEM color match as the liveries I have done are full repaints and were non-OEM paint schemes.

That written, HD sells sample paint in a 7 ounce (250ml) container. It's around $6.00USD as I recall.

I have always taken an airbrushed example sample to be scanned from Mig/Ammo Paint. In my experience, these are as accurate as I can reference for my use.

Every paint scanner uses similar tech, I have found it still comes down to the mixer.

I don't think HD mixes a matte in the sample latex.

I overspray the entire model after the markings are on with a matte clear rattle can and then 'weather' if required on top of that coat of matte clear.

I could be wrong about the matte sample size, but again, I always spray a matte clear coat over everything to bring it together and then weather as I deem fit.

Short of a tarmac fresh paint job, you could do something similarly. Weathering most often covers myriad sins. And you can quote me on that.

Best, LB

I have done the same as Elbee. I take a small part to HD. They scan it with their matching machine and give me a 7 ounce plastic can. They open it for me and wipe a small bit oh the label. Only once did I get a bad match. They redid it on the spot and got it right.

As a note, their are many variations on OD green. Time in service seems to fade the green rather quickly. I looked at many photos of the B-25 used on the Doolittle raid. The planes has lots of time to be exposed to the sun and weather. The OD green I selected for the Ruptured Duck reflected what I saw in many photos. It is definitely a very faded OD Green.

Bottom line is, make it your version that you are happy with.

I painted a Navy B-25 (PBJ) and the "correct" colors were way too bright. I went to HD and got the blue colors a few shades lighter. They turned out right for me.

Bob

[Elbee]

borntoolate, now that's what I'm talikin' about! Good lookin' C model for certain. Bravo Zulu, Sir. Best, LB

[borntoolate]

borntoolate, now that's what I'm talikin' about! Good lookin' C model for certain. Bravo Zulu, Sir. Best, LB

Thanks! You can see the tail cone I vacuum formed for the FMS version. Maybe I can use the mold as a basis for the FL version.

Bob

[Elbee]

Thanks! You can see the tail cone I vacuum formed for the FMS version. Maybe I can use the mold as a basis for the FL version.

Bob

Bob,

You had mentioned that scenario and will look forward to that.

I have started designing a draft from drawings and photos, however, I have not taken any exact measurements from the model to scale it.

The shape is simple enough, even without any frame structure and at the attach point it roughs out at 25 degrees off 90 degrees in side view by my eyes.

I'll post the design once completed for your review. and comment.

Best, Steve

[Aros]

Alright all you B-25 experts, I am about to maiden mine this morning at the beach. Got her all ready to go but before I head out in some hours from now, I would love if anyone could pitch in really quick to provide me with any tips and tricks before the maiden? Much appreciated!

[Elbee]

Drive carefully.

[Aros]

Ha! Sage advice my friend!

[FlyinHawaiian]

Be sure to calibrate the ESC's. Almost crashed mine on the first flight because of both motors not spinning at the same RPM's. Good luck!

[Aros]

Had a great maiden without issues! She's a pu$$ycat as everyone has reported. I feel so spoiled now flying at the ocean. At low tide, the compact sand is the perfect, smooth, endless runway. The backdrop doesn't hurt too! Takeoff was without incident. You know within seconds of liftoff if a model is going to be a pu$$ycat or a bear. Luckily she falls into the former category. Needed some trimming here and there but otherwise was extremely docile. Landing was a non-event. Flaps, floated in, gentle flare and touchdown. The crowd approved, lol.

I'll post a short video tomorrow.

[Elbee]

Aros, Woo-Hoo and Congratulations, Sir. Glad to read she 'floated' in and did not 'float' in. Bravo Zulu, Brother. Best, LB

[Hugh Wiedman]

Had a great maiden without issues! She's a pu$$ycat as everyone has reported. I feel so spoiled now flying at the ocean. At low tide, the compact sand is the perfect, smooth, endless runway. The backdrop doesn't hurt too! Takeoff was without incident. You know within seconds of liftoff if a model is going to be a pu$$ycat or a bear. Luckily she falls into the former category. Needed some trimming here and there but otherwise was extremely docile. Landing was a non-event. Flaps, floated in, gentle flare and touchdown. The crowd approved, lol.

I'll post a short video tomorrow.

OUTSTANDING! Now that's a runway I could get into! Definitely not a Beach of a runway like you had before, but I'm sure you miss the basketball hoops, light poles and kids playing in the field. Although I can't see how your going to execute those long 3 point shots into the net you're known for!

[Aros]

Indeed gents! Indeed!

Here's a quick video as promised...

[Hugh Wiedman]

Indeed gents! Indeed!

Here's a quick video as promised...

Up Up and Away, looked like an aircraft carrier take-off from one of Doolittle's Raiders! Nice landing, although you may have been a little closer to the wave marks than you wanted.

[Aros]

Ha! Yeah, maybe just a little. My maiden landings tend to be a bit faster and longer than I normally prefer.

[Oxotnik]

I've put a few dozen flights on my B-25. I absolutely love her! She flies great and is really easy to land (provided that full flaps are used). With that said, though, I think that what has impressed me the most about this B-25 is its robust landing gear. My landings are good, generally speaking, but I have carrier-landed her a few times. The gear has absorbed those hard landings well and has shown no signs of bending or warping. Plus, the gear box hasn't pulled out of the wing on any of those rough landings.

Kudos to Motion and Flightline for putting robust gear in this toy airplane. Great aircraft!!!