The other problem was on both of these Mustangs, there is a compound curved metal part that fits along the leading edge of the wing, where it joins the fuselage at the wing root. This is the location that was previously discussed by Stephen Towle.
On "LOU IV" this part was recently replaced with a new one, salvaged from another plane, or maybe even shined up some by the ground crew. Either way, it needs to be nice and shiny for both aircraft.
This compound curved area was covered using Bare Metal Foil unsuccessfully on a number of times. Finally in frustration I gave up and set the models down until I could figure out what to do. Not cool...
I had an idea, but it took me some time to actually try it out. It turns out the answer was very simple. I used a Molotow chrome refill and dropped a few drops into my Harder and Steenbeck air brush.
So I added a little bit of lacquer thinner into the mix and sprayed it out on a set of 1/48 scale cowlings from a Monogram B-29... Two guesses about an upcoming project for our Korean War group. Can you say "Command Decision ?" Good, I knew you could. OK I'm no Mr. Rogers. This stuff looks really good as aluminum plate when thinned.
I have a set of propellers for a project I stopped working on around 3 years ago. These are for a pair of 1/48 Tamiya G4M Betty bombers, with one slated to be done as a Yamamoto transport. This is how the Molotow looks when sprayed straight from the refill bottle, at least in my air brush.
These are some 1/48 Hasegawa B5N Kate props...
and this is a 1/48 Kate lower wing section. I'm going to eventually spray this with a thin coat of clear Blue and Clear Yellow to replicate an Aotake preservative coating.
Finally here is a prop for a 1/48 Tamiya N1K "Rex". All of these items were done since I was on a roll. When the time comes, at least I will have these parts ready to go.
I wanted to see how this stuff sprays straight out of the bottle...you can see how it works here.
The results I came up with say this stuff is the best thing ever since sliced bread, (or the History Channel), take your pick.
I was able to spray it straight without any thinner, and it looks like I had perfectly dipped plastic chrome kit supplied parts.
Josh Patterson (@jpatt1000)
Thanks to Josh Patterson here, you're a good man Josh ! Shout out, fist bump, whatever you want to call it, I say thanks brother, it worked exactly like you said it would.
Step one done. Now I know this is going to work on the wing fillet I mentioned earlier. It will also work on the similarly shaped area where the vertical fin and horizontal stabilizer connect, so I can use it here too. Hmmm. Thinking about it, this will work on my 1/32 Hasegawa Ki-61 Hien that I "parked" for a very similar reason.. Right on !
Step two coming right up. One down, one to go. Please stay tuned.
