latest Fine Scale Modeller mag--spraying with very high pressure

Allan · February 04, 2013, 04:45:47 PM

being far too cheap, as a result of my Scottish ancestry, to actually buy a copy of this mag, what's the gist of the article they've run on spraying with high pressure?
also, what's the dope on the easy way to paint Italian smoke rings---that's in the latest issue, I hear
Allan

Captain Canada · February 04, 2013, 06:10:34 PM

Allan....you crack me up !

matrixone · February 06, 2013, 05:18:29 PM

Allan,
Some might like using high P.S.I. for airbrushing but I don't see why, I would not pay too much attention to FSM advice, its a magazine for total noobs. I used to be a big supporter of FSM but its really gone downhill the past ten years and is pretty much a waste of time (and money).

As for the Italian smoke ring camouflage scheme, its best painted freehanded and with VERY thin paint and low P.S.I.
Below is a pic of some airbrush practice I did a while back, on the 1/72 scale Bf 109 wings in the forground is similar camo to the Italian smoke rings. Its pretty easy to do once you get your paint thin enough and lower the P.S.I. to match the thin paint.

There is also decal sheets available that have the smoke ring pattern on them but it would be a lot of work putting them on the entire upper surface of the model.

Matrixone

Allan · February 07, 2013, 01:57:01 AM

I'm sure it would work if, and only if, we all had your God-given spraying gifts, Matrix. The sad reality is that we haven't.

I thought this high-pressure spraying caper might require a little more looking into and so went into the garage this arvo and gave it a whirl. I used Tamiya enamel thinned as I usually would with mineral thinner and cranked the compressor up to about the 40 mark.

I think there is really something to this as I ended up with my best mottles with the absolute minimum of overspray.

Allan

PR19_Kit · February 07, 2013, 03:08:00 AM

Quote from: matrixone on February 06, 2013, 05:18:29 PM

Now look here Mr. Matrixone, you can't just plonk a piccie like this in front of us and NOT explain about the models!

What the devil are those two at the back for godness sake? The one on the left looks like a Luftwaffe 46 version of a Douglas Skyrocket melded with the tail of a Grumman Panther and the one on the right has Lockheed written all over it!

The Wooksta! · February 07, 2013, 05:17:50 AM

The one on the left looks to be more a manned V2/A4 with an Me 262 tail. I can't ID the wings on it.

The Ju 88 fuselage is the AMT kit. A mate is building one and says it's a total parcel.

NARSES2 · February 07, 2013, 07:20:50 AM

Quote from: matrixone on February 06, 2013, 05:18:29 PM
There is also decal sheets available that have the smoke ring pattern on them but it would be a lot of work putting them on the entire upper surface of the model.

Matrixone

I've used the Mike Grant sheets in 1/72 and they are very good. Time consuming but good

matrixone · February 07, 2013, 12:30:05 PM

Allan,
You have to go with what works best for your paint/airbrush combination, I use Model Master enamels and running highly thinned paint and low P.S.I. gets me the results I want.

Those two jet like models in the background of my pic are hard plastic toys that came with a hangar kit I bought from a Walthers model RR catalog...I am not sure if they are based on any real aircraft types or not.

Yes the fuselage is from a Ju 88 it was a spare provided in the Amtech Ju 88H kit and yes the fuselage is rubbish, this one had a wicked twist in it that was difficult to work with while gluing it together.
The Bf 109 wings are from one of the wingless 109s I built a few years back.

Matrixone

Allan · February 07, 2013, 06:37:06 PM

Matrix,
Reading over my post it appears that my tone may be interpreted as being a little snide, but that wasn't my intention by any means.
I'm always in awe of your airbrushing skills and wish I could emulate them.
From your most devoted disciple who drinks tea made from the dust and dirt under your fingernails,
Allan (Still in a frisson of excitment over his most wonderful discovery! This is truly a momentous hour!!!
this post registers 11 out of a possible ten on the Spinal Tap modelling sycophancy/pomposity index

matrixone · February 08, 2013, 11:37:37 AM

Allan,
I never took it as being snide, so no problem here.

Glad to learn your experiment with airbrushing at the higher P.S.I. worked, I did similar experiments years ago but did not get along with it but like I said before if you find something that works for you stick with it. At the same time keep experimenting during practice sessions and you will no doubt discover new tricks along the way and thats a big part of the fun of airbrushing.

Matrixone