Narses2's Blog - or what I'm slowly making progress on

[NARSES2]

Some progress on the Thunderbolt. Probably got a third or so of the stencils done, they are taking an age being Tamiya. Just take so long coming off the backing paper.

Looking at this project has made me realise just how brown the Xtracrylic version of U.S. Olive Drab is. I know like a lot of "official" colours there are lots of variations, but this does seem to be at the very brown end of the spectrum. Need to look at a couple of other manufacturer's versions just to see how brown it is in comparison.

[Old Wombat]

I know a million years ago I saw a wartime photo of a quartet of OD painted P-38's over Europe. The colours, I thought, were all different but I now realise were all the same, officially. They ranged from what I thought was a muddy brown, through what I think of as OD, to what I thought was a faded British dark green.

I don't think QA was at the top of the priority list then, certainly it wasn't as high as quantity.

[zenrat]

Doesn't it fade like a bar steward as well?

[Old Wombat]

Yep!

Well, it did; I don't know about now.

[NARSES2]

Xtracolour/Xtracrylic's Olive Drab is to FS14087 they also do a "faded" Olive Drab in their paint range as well. They also have an ANA613 Olive Drab.

Must admit I always thought of it being slightly greener then the Xtracolour/Xtracrylic version, but must admit I've seen a few versions when looking at old colour photos and that's before taking the age of the photo/type of film into account.

[zenrat]

Yep!

Well, it did; I don't know about now.

Hmmm, that's got me thinking about "genuinely" fading a model.  You  know, paint it in olive drab and then leave it out in the sun for a while.  Wonder how long it would take to get a significant change?
I might have to do an experiment or two.

[NARSES2]

Hmmm, that's got me thinking about "genuinely" fading a model.  You  know, paint it in olive drab and then leave it out in the sun for a while.  Wonder how long it would take to get a significant change?
I might have to do an experiment or two.

Ah but for "accuracy's sake do you need to take scale into account ? So if the photo you are basing your model on was of an aircraft that had been in service under the hot Mediterranean sun for 6 months should you divide the number of days by 72/48/32 dependent on the scale of the model ? 

I bet some JMN somewhere has actually tried it in the search for plastic perfection 

A lot of aircraft delivered straight to the combat zone didn't last long enough for the paint to fade.

[NARSES2]

Stencils are done so now it's on to the varnish, clear parts and then the dangly/fiddly bits to finish.

So should start next project (I know what it is) next week along with some progress on a couple of stalled ones.

[NARSES2]

First round of varnish applied, she will need a second. Gone back to using Windsor and Newton applied by brush. Lost faith with Humbrol spray varnish as it's "ruined" a couple of recent projects - white patches  Probably me, but once you lose faith.

The P47 will be the first build completed under the "you've got a dodgy eye, accept it and just get on with your modelling" plan

On a completely different note. 12th night last night so decorations down, Maltesers and cashews all finished, Xmas is over 

[Captain Canada]

I remember Testor's Olive Drab being different colours every time I used it as a kid. Ah, the good old days.....

[NARSES2]

2nd round of varnishing complete and box of Xmas shortbread biscuits that had been hiding found 

[kitbasher]

2nd round of varnishing complete and box of Xmas shortbread biscuits that had been hiding found 

6 mince pies, half a christmas cake and a whole christmas pud still to go in our house!

[NARSES2]

Not a fan of mince pies, Xmas pud and custard  , Xmas cake 

[zenrat]

Two small fruit cakes left here.  Made by Mad Aunt Phoebe next door and glazed with Scotch over a six month period...

[NARSES2]

Two small fruit cakes left here.  Made by Mad Aunt Phoebe next door and glazed with Scotch over a six month period...

You need to be in the right mood to enjoy those, nice and mellow 

I think the first time I got tiddly was whilst helping my old Gran "feed" the Xmas Pud brandy, must of been all of 3