Here is another
of my submissions to ARC. To continue building my WWII naval
aircraft collection I decided to build Accurate Miniatures SB2C-1C (which
is basically a re-issue of the old ProModeler kit). The kit has
crisp engraved panel lines, few sink or ejector pin marks and comes with
nice photoetched parts. My kit represents aircraft #21 of
VB-17 stationed on the USS Bunker Hill (CV-17).
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images below to see larger images
Overall the kit
went together well. Putty was needed along the ventral wing root and
between the bomb bay flaps. The photoetched parts went on well.
The cockpit and wheel wells were painted Model Master zinc chromate green.
A black oil wash with a white oil drybrushing were then applied.
To get that faded salt-weathered look of many WWII US naval aircraft at
sea, I performed the following steps:
1) Entire model was
painted with Floquil Flat Aluminum to provide a smooth gloss shine and an
aluminum base color when it came time for paint chipping.
2) All panel lines
were pre-shaded with Flat Black
3) Tamiya Flat White
primer was applied to the lower fuselage and ventral surfaces.
4) Ventral surfaces
were touched-up with Tamyia Flat White.
5) Aeromaster US
Intermediate Blue was lightly airbrushed where appropriate. Successive tints of
this color were airbrushed inside panels.
6) Aeromaster US Sea
Blue was then lightly airbrushed on the dorsal surfaces. Again successive
tints of this color were applied inside panel lines. The objective was to
randomly apply the color, resulting in different hues and shades within panels.
7) A final light
overcoat of US Sea Blue was applied over both the previously applied Sea Blue
and Intermediate Blue.
8) All panel lines
were highlighted with an acrylic wash of 1 part earth red and 1 part black.
9) All panel lines
were then highlighted with an acrylic wash of neutral gray and black.
10) Only panel lines
within the Sea Blue portion of the plane were highlighted with an acrylic wash
of flat black.
11) Lamp black, raw
umber and burnt umber oil paints were used for streaks and stains.
12) Flat clear was
applied.
13) A mix of light
gray and black pastel chalk dust was used on the walkways.
14) Medium gray
pastel dust was applied on all Sea Blue panel lines. Pastels were applied
to both sides of panel lines parallel to air flow. Pastels were only
applied to the trailing edge of panel lines perpindicular to air flow.
15) The pastel dust
was smoothed with a large brush and finger tips where appropriate.
16) Exhaust stains
were applied in a sequence of brown, brown/black, black and finished with
black pastels.
17) A light mist of
50/50 US Sea Blue and Flat White was applied over the entire model except the
white surfaces.
18) Finally paint
chips were developed, a light mist of Tamiya smoke and another coat of Clear
Flat finished the model.
The three-toned
camoflauge was done with a combination of free-hand, sticky tack and paper masks
to get those soft demarcation lines. Fishing tippet was used for the radio
rigging. The decals came with the kit and went on effortlessly with a
little Solvaset. Overall, I'm pleased with the result and hope
you all like it.
Eric
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