Painting Aircraft with no Paint Schemes

[Tread Head]

I am looking to paint some U.S. planes like B-24,B-29 in bare metal which many flew in. Does anyone have an idea to get a realistic look for the bare aluminum.

[1ComOpsCtr]

You can use the same paints any scale modeler would use available at any local high quality model shop. There are also a couple of different suppliers of faux metallic finish materials though I would guess they might not fit the scale. High quality paint should work just fine. You should also be able to view color photographs in the many reference books available on the bombers of the period.

Will

[Mk 1]

I have used Polly-S "Chrome Silver" for bare-metal P-47s. They came out pretty light. I might choose a slightly darker silver next time. But just a bit darker, not a dark silver like "Gun Metal", "Graphite", or "Oxidized Aluminum".


Don't forget to add detailing. Most bare-metal planes had anti-reflective paints applied to the roof anywhere that the pilot might see (to reduce reflective glare). Also cockpit glass. I use Polly-S "Silver Blue Metalic" for glass that is in direct sunlight, as a cockpit canopy might be. National insignia, and some unit identifiers would be worthwhile too. And exhaust smudges.

I've seen other folks highlight the airframe seam lines. I know some do it with washes and dry-brushing ... I'm not sure how that might work on silver ... maybe using darker and lighter silvers for the wash and dry-brushing? I don't think it would be a good idea to wash a silver plane with black. I expect it would reduce the overall sheen as much as it would privide any distinction in the lines and shadows. But you may hear differently from others. My planes were painted some years ago, before I knew much about washes and dry-brushing.

Good luck. Let us know how it comes out.

[BattlerBritain]

It's quite easy to do with standard modeller's paints.

I use Humbrol Aluminium and achieved results like this on a P-51D:


and..

[Tread Head]

Thanks Guys I'll give those a try.

[mlcolbert]

TreadHead Hi

another option MIGHT be the following;

a while ago I was looking at the Rackham forum and there was a suggestion regarding metallic armour;

get a Dremel and simply buff the natural metal.

Now, obviously you have to be careful with the type of attachment being used re detail and leaving gouges, but it may work, at least it may be worth a try.

good luck!

michael

[Tread Head]

Thanks I thought about that method micolbert but was afraid of loss of details. I have used that method for swords and weapons on 25mm Figs.

[tstockton]

micolbert said:

get a Dremel and simply buff the natural metal.

Seems pretty logical to me... after all, what would be a better choice to represent metal than metal!?

However... seems to me you'd have to apply a clear sealer coat after the buffing / polishing was done -- something to protect the bare, unfinished metal from oxidation. My first thought would be good ol' Future floor wax, a gloss acrylic finish. Then if you wanted a dull or matte finish, then overspray with Testors Dullcote or something along that line...

I'm not sure how well any "finish" will stick to bare metal -- that's why we prime our miniatures before we paint them. But I'd imagine there'd be something clear that would "stick" to unpainted metal...

Regards,
Tom Stockton

[voltigeur]

Buffing with a dremel may work well if you have a very, very light touch. Even with the soft head for the Dremel it runs as such a high RPM you could easily burnish off the detail.

When I have done this in the past I have gone to the model car area and gotten auto chrome and gloss clear coat.

[DrBig]

Aluminum base paint, then drybrush with silver