Model Builder International Pilot Issue Model Builder International Pilot Issue | Page 41

then applied silver paint to simulate the chips on the
leading edges. I was intending to do it anyway, but
this was a quick-fix method that actually worked.
I clear-coated the model with Future, then applied
a Warpigs Wash of flat black, allowed it to dry, then
wiped it smooth, leaving sharp, contrasted panel
lines. I masked the anti-glare panel and dabbed
liquid mask along the edges of the panel lines and
anti-glare panel before applying a coat of Tamiya
flat black. Once the flat black dried, I was able
to remove the liquid mask with an X-Acto knife,
revealing rough and ragged paint ‘chips’ in the
finish. I attached the landing gear, glued the
flaps into place, and sprayed the model with a
semi-gloss clear. This brought the
varying tones of the model
together.

I used Mastercaster’s resin exhaust
stacks, painted with a mix of Vallejo
Red Leather and Warpigs Burnt
Umber pigments. The resulting
paste provided a chalky, rustred appearance. A black wash

of Turpenoid and Mars Black toned the exhaust
down. I sprayed the exhaust stains with a mix of
Turpenoid and Light Sienna pigments, followed by
a mix of Turpenoid and Warpigs Black pigments. I
used the latter to simulate light powder stains on
the 20mm wings as well.
This model, aside from a few technical glitches
(a couple of ruined decals, etc), was a landmark
build for me. I definitely beat the odds with this
model, as there was lots of potential for things to go
drastically wrong. It was a lesson in a combination
of new tools
(airbrush),
new
paint
(Alclad),
new
techniques (the
flat black primer
method, and
mixing Reducer
with Gunze), combined
with an almost-daunting
photo-etched set, and resin
detail parts from Mastercasters.
The result is a model that I believe
is as good as anything I’ve ever
produced.
Now the hard part – what to do
for an encore!