Zvezda 1/72 Bf 109 F2
This was a project with a purpose. I wanted to experiment with using pastel chalk powders to attempt fine-line camouflage patterns and wanted to start on something small. I looked through the decals I had been collecting for my 109 project and found this excellent EagleCals sheet, and decided the top one on the page (see the last pic) was right up my alley for the experiment.
I had several F's in my stash, and chose this Zvezda kit, which is actually designed as a snap-together kit. It had nice details - even in the cockpit. I did rivet the entire airframe, but other than that, the only other refinements were to drill out the exhausts and create the wing-tip lights with pieces of stretched sprue (has to occur with pretty much any 1/72 109 build to make it look realistic).
I used AK Real Colors for the main colors, except that I darkened some Tamiya yellow with a smidge of Hull Red to get the RLM 04 version of yellow. Then for the two colors of the squiggles and blotches I mixed various colors of pastel chalks to get the RLM equivalents I was after.
Although the chalk powders looked GREAT in the container, I couldn't get them down as dark as I wanted. I used an old small-diameter paint brush that had been clipped very short, so it was as compact and stiff as I could get, but with the combination of the softness of the brush and I suppose the nature of the flat top coat, I just couldn't get the color to pop as much as I'd hoped! You can see that my result - though kinda nice - isn't as contrasty as what you see in the image on the decal sheet. I experimented on my paint mule using some fine-tip pointed Tamiya cotton swabs, and the result was a darker delivery but very non-smooth and harder to control the consistency. I'm pleased with the experiment, though realize that there are limitations, unless some of you excellent modelers have another idea or two for me to experiment with!
I do think this will work fine with the type of camo I want to attempt on a Ki-21 Sally, but not sure it'll do for my Uhu squiggle pattern. I may experiment with paint pens for that project.
The build was pleasant - even came with a pilot - and I enjoyed it so much I bought another Zvezda F2 to use the Hans von Hahn circle pattern decals - I love that green over-painted yellow nose, and the circles are on the sheet!
Forgive the lighting - I experimented with a new light set-up, and I need to tweak it. I had to elevate the brightness and then the contrast to lighten up the photos, so some of them look a bit bleached!
SUPERB! Greg. Wonderful job on the paint job.
Turned out very nicely
Greg, Very nice build here, really nice paint work. I always thought the 109(F's) were the best looking 109s, they had had the sleekest styling and best-looking paint schemes.
I experimented with pastels on a 1/72 Me-262B night fighter in the once and got similar results. My clear flat coat washed it out even more. But it’s a fun technique. This is a really nice looking 109 Greg.
This is an amazing result, Greg @gkittinger
The scheme is perfectly applied, your painting skills are wonderful, especially since this is achieved on a 1/72 scaler.
Absolutely amazing, Greg!
Phenomenal painting!
Congratulations!
I think the camo scheme really works! And the F-model 109 is a real beauty.
Great paintwork!
Very innovative camouflage technique , I think it looks very good. Zvezda has some great kits.. they are one of my favorite manufacturers.
Getting there, looks good. My kid's been wanting that circled one for a while. This may be the trick. Got these small pointed swabs at Hobby Lobby, may have to use a very darkened version of the circle color. Just might do it. Thanks for the idea.
That’s an interesting technique, Greg. What flat coat did you use to seal it?
Winsor & Newton acrylic flat
Thanks. I’m looking to replace Testors clear lacquers. They seem different lately. I’ve got some Mr. Color lacquer inbound and will take a look at the W&N acrylic.
Looks very nice Greg. Thanks for sharing the build techniques
Great build Greg and so cool to look for new ways to develop your style and experimentation is so important to scale modelling 👍
Great work Greg!
Looks absolutely superb Greg. You really nailed the camo.
I really like the technique you came up with for the camo. It looks great. I will have try it...or some variation of it. There are several paint jobs I would like to do that would benefit from it that I am scared to try with an airbrush and that are too "delicate" to do with a regular paint brush. Thanks...
Yep - @trod348, my issues also! I am having a difficult time finding the right combination of paint brand, paint-to-thinner ratio, PSI, etc. to get consistent small lines without getting splatters, runs or other problems! I often use pastels for weathering and they can provide a nice soft edge, if I can just get enough opaqueness in the process.
It looks perfect from here, Greg, great technique with the pastels.
Very nice Greg!
Greg, the finish looks very cool. This one caught my eye as I was just perusing the website. Have you used Vallejo water color weathering pencils? They might do the trick for something like this. If you dip the tip in water, they will cover more and then you can feather the edges with a damp brush.
Anyway, nice work!