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Alex Hu
6 articles

F6F Hellcat 1/32 Scale Model: One Wing Folded

July 27, 2024 · in Aviation · · 7 · 151
This article is part of a series:
  1. F6F Hellcat 1/32 Scale Model: One Wing Folded
  2. F6F 1/32 Model: Different Expression after Two Years

I'm continuing my exploration of weathered and stressed WWII airplane skin expressions. I've nicknamed this technique "Inca rendering." Like this piece, the first generation features regular patterns, while the second generation reveals the stressed conditions through irregular patterns. This technique doesn't involve sanding, grinding, or stroking. Instead, it's achieved solely through painting with various colors and brightness levels, creating the fluctuating surfaces on the fuselage and wings.

These shots were taken yesterday under the shade after 8 p.m. in California, just minutes before sunset. This piece is mainly airbrushed with lacquer colors and finished off with some oil paint touches. Through the camera lens, I saw the red and purple hues from the sky reflecting on the model airplane's body, creating a completely different tone compared to what we see under bright sunlight.

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6 additional images. Click to enlarge.


7 responses

  1. Very interesting technique and really nice and unique results, Alex!

  2. Boy, that really looks like real metal. Wonderful work. Very unique and totally awesome effect.

  3. The weathered and stressed conditions are beautifully visible, Alex @superdad1688
    Great technique.

  4. This looks great Alex (@superdad1688). I think I mentioned before that I have been following your work for a few years now. Quite effective in representing the stressed metal look. There are a few photos here where I had to look twice because I could have sworn that the metal was actual dented, but it was strictly a paint effect. Terrific model. Thanks for sharing.

  5. That is a very effective and convincing technique, Alex! πŸ‘ That is creative, realistic scale modeling, sir! πŸ†

    That Hellcat looks great! πŸ‘

  6. Yep - what everybody else said! The technique pays off handsomely!

  7. That looks outstanding! I really had to take a second look because it really does look like it's been ground, sanded and reriveted. This is one of the best I've seen using the paint technique. Beautiful!

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