Moments of Zen

[TheChronicOne]

They get around better than I do sometimes!  Gotta admire the gusto.

Very good to see you droppin in.        I know you're busy.

Check this out, I just saw this yesterday... (Kit, avert your eyes) ... it's the new Alaska aggressor:




Well, I say it's new... it could be years old... who knows. Seems new to me.


Your cockpit and panels and stuff is glorious by the way!   

[DogfighterZen]

They get around better than I do sometimes!  Gotta admire the gusto.

Very good to see you droppin in.        I know you're busy.

Check this out, I just saw this yesterday... (Kit, avert your eyes) ... it's the new Alaska aggressor:




Well, I say it's new... it could be years old... who knows. Seems new to me.


Your cockpit and panels and stuff is glorious by the way!   

Thank you!! 
Hadn't seen that one before... that looks like the Swedish splinter camo used on their Viggens but it could be from some other country, for all i know... Camo schemes are not my specialty.  That does look like a fairly recent paint job so i guess i could be new.
Re the amputees, i also admire the attitude that most of them have, i can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to lose a limb...

[zenrat]

I had a bit of fun painting the cockpit, it's nothing much but here's a selection of the best pics i could get, to make up for my time away from the forum. 

Ah, you've got that one bristle brush out again, haven't you? 

Those are never 1/72.  Come clean mate, they're 1/48 or bigger aren't they?

[DogfighterZen]

Those are never 1/72.  Come clean mate, they're 1/48 or bigger aren't they?

aw shucks... ok, you got me, they're 1/1 scale, but i'd been out drinking the night before so i was a bit shaky...  

[zenrat]

Have you tried using thin tipped permanent markers for adding a touch of colour to instrument panels?
I find they work quite well.

[NARSES2]

Have you tried using thin tipped permanent markers for adding a touch of colour to instrument panels?
I find they work quite well.

They can work very well, but you need to make sure you buy good ones and test them out before you use them for real. Some of the cheaper ones are not up to the task basically, they may look thin but .......... 

[kerick]

They get around better than I do sometimes!  Gotta admire the gusto.

Very good to see you droppin in.        I know you're busy.

Check this out, I just saw this yesterday... (Kit, avert your eyes) ... it's the new Alaska aggressor:





Well, I say it's new... it could be years old... who knows. Seems new to me.


Your cockpit and panels and stuff is glorious by the way!   

Thank you!! 
Hadn't seen that one before... that looks like the Swedish splinter camo used on their Viggens but it could be from some other country, for all i know... Camo schemes are not my specialty.  That does look like a fairly recent paint job so i guess i could be new.
Re the amputees, i also admire the attitude that most of them have, i can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to lose a limb...

Here is an article about the splinter camo. There is a blue/gray/black version too.

http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/14949/alaskan-aggressor-f-16-emerges-in-awesome-forest-green-splinter-camouflage

[DogfighterZen]

Have you tried using thin tipped permanent markers for adding a touch of colour to instrument panels?
I find they work quite well.

They can work very well, but you need to make sure you buy good ones and test them out before you use them for real. Some of the cheaper ones are not up to the task basically, they may look thin but .......... 

I've been using the 1mm tip Molotow liquid chrome for the oleo struts on landing gears but i don't have any other colors at the moment. There have been a few occasions on which i was about to buy a couple but didn't cause i wasn't sure if the tips were thin enough for 1/72 detail but i really should buy some. I think markers are great to work with cause i can be more precise with them than with a paint brush cause you have a solid tip instead of bristles.

Here is an article about the splinter camo. There is a blue/gray/black version too.

http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/14949/alaskan-aggressor-f-16-emerges-in-awesome-forest-green-splinter-camouflage

Excellent article, thanks, Kerick!  The mystery of the black Viper is explained.
Then i read this one: http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/3383/what-it-was-like-flying-and-fighting-the-f-16n-viper-topguns-legendary-hotrod?iid=sr-link3

Gave me an idea... 

[NARSES2]

I've been using the 1mm tip Molotow liquid chrome for the oleo struts on landing gears but i don't have any other colors at the moment. There have been a few occasions on which i was about to buy a couple but didn't cause i wasn't sure if the tips were thin enough for 1/72 detail but i really should buy some. I think markers are great to work with cause i can be more precise with them than with a paint brush cause you have a solid tip instead of bristles.

They are mate. I got a set of 4 from the local art shop, red, green, black and silver. They are useful and better quality, albeit pricier, then the ones in Smiths. The only thing I'd say is the black isn't really black, if you know what I mean ?

[PR19_Kit]

What's this 'local art shop' of which you speak?

The only one within 30 miles of here closed 15 yrs ago. 

[zenrat]

I got mine from Officeworks which is an office supply warehouse.  I think they are intended to be used as Overhead Projector pens (does anyone still use them?).
Made by Staedtler.
https://www.staedtler.com.au/en/products/markers-refill-ink/universal-pens/lumocolor-permanent-pen-318-permanent-universal-pen-f/#id=10675&tx_solr[filter]

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[NARSES2]

What's this 'local art shop' of which you speak?

It's in Beckenham, which is still rather "genteel" at least for S London. About 15 mins on the bus or 7 on the train. Mind you it's a 20min walk to the bus or train station.

There is another one in Sutton, so quite lucky really

[DogfighterZen]

They are mate. I got a set of 4 from the local art shop, red, green, black and silver. They are useful and better quality, albeit pricier, then the ones in Smiths. The only thing I'd say is the black isn't really black, if you know what I mean ?

Sure do, i had one with which i painted the cockpit of the Italeri SU-27 and it had a strange dark brown tone when light hit it from certain angles... and it took days to dry on the plastic.

I got mine from Officeworks which is an office supply warehouse.  I think they are intended to be used as Overhead Projector pens (does anyone still use them?).
Made by Staedtler.
https://www.staedtler.com.au/en/products/markers-refill-ink/universal-pens/lumocolor-permanent-pen-318-permanent-universal-pen-f/#id=10675&tx_solr[filter]

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Fred, i think i've seen those. I'll give them a try, thanks!

[zenrat]

Glad to help.  They can be cleaned off with mentholated spirit.  The red in particular will bleed through primer if you spray over it without doing this.  Don't ask me how I know this.   

I have the biggest set with all the colours.  This wasn't really necessary as I have yet to put brown or purple detailing on a model with them.

[DogfighterZen]

Well, there's not much i can think of purple in cockpits but i believe brown can be found in some. Anyway, looks like a good range and i think i'll probably get the full set too, it's good to have the options.