DONE@p.3 +++ 1:72 Airco TR.2 of RAF 157 Sq., Battle of Amiens; July/August 1918

Dizzyfugu · July 02, 2018, 09:52:14 AM

So, here's the update from yesterday's work; first from the assembly process:

1:72 Airco TR.2 of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Airco TR.2 of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

...and then the painting commenced, and for this task I have to add some explanations (no whif without a plan!). The paint scheme was inspired by the trial schemes that were actually applied to some Sopwith Salamander attack aircraft in July 1918, even though, AFAIK, none of these was used in front line use. However, the scheme's concept (Orfordness Report E30/A) of "depicting" trenches and the rough frontline "landscape" on an aircraft and other details like asymmetric roundels in order to confuse enemies and impede aiming is pretty unique, and this build was a great occasion to apply it.

I was able to dig up some information concerning the camouflage trials and the colors that were used:
the upper tones were mixed individually from a few basic colors, and I did follow a similar approach in order to achieve a unique and pretty retro look. The colors are/were:

"Light Earth" (White, Indian Red and Raw Sienna); I went for Humbrol 62 (Sand), which is a bright, almost orange tone. I did some mixing experiments and the color turned either into a pink of skin tone, or into a yellow-ish tan, depending on the mix ratios. After that, Humbrol 62 appeared to be a convenient OOB option, since I found mixing for the lightest camouflage tone hazardous.

"Green" (Ultramarine Blue, Chrome Yellow and Raw Sienna); I used a 1:1 mix of Humbrol 80 (Grass Green) and 170 (Brown Bess), with a little 15 (Midnight Blue) added.

"Dark Purple Earth" (from Indian Red, Ultramarine Blue and White); I settled on a 1:1 mix of Humbrol 68 (Purple) and 98. Sick result!

The undersides, landing gear and struts were painted in "Light Green Grey" (Mixed from White, Chrome, Brunswick Green and Indian Red); I'd assume that the tone would be very similar to Sky, but I used Tamiya XF-71 (Flat Grey Green, a.k.a. IJN Grey), which is a bit darker and more greenish.

According to the Orfordness Report E30/A, the lower wings' upper surface carried, by tendency, patterns with considerably more Light Earth - probably an early attempt of counter-shading? All the upper colors were furthermore separated through black lines, 2-4" wide, which were done with acrylic Revell 09 (Anthracite) and a thin brush.

On some aircraft the wings' undersides were painted differently – some had upper and lower wings' undersides painted black, while some only had the lower wings painted in this fashion. Because of the odd look I went for the "lower-wings-in black-only" option, painted with Revell 06 (Tar Black), which is actually a very dark grey.

This all results in a REALLY distinct and colorful look - it's almost sad that the DH.2 offers so little surface to apply the scheme, which is a faithful adaptation of the Orfordness Report E30/A recommendations.

1:72 Airco TR.2 of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Airco TR.2 of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Weird, esp. on the DH.2. But sexy, too!

NARSES2 · July 03, 2018, 12:26:12 AM

Oooops, slip of the keyboard

Yup Salamander is what I meant. They tried some very interesting schemes

NARSES2 · July 03, 2018, 12:28:34 AM

It does look good

Snowtrooper · July 03, 2018, 03:21:16 AM

On its own, the camo looks surprisingly modern (and effective!) but the black demarcation lines between colours definitely bring that retro feel

Have "fun" with the rigging

Dizzyfugu · July 03, 2018, 06:19:11 AM

Thank you. Yes, the paint scheme is both retro and also somewhat ultra-modern, IMHO, very disruptive. Yesterday, not much happened - I did some finishing painting touches, applied decals, did some overall dry-brushing and gave the kit a protective coat of matt varnish from the rattle can (pics to follow).

I could basically stop here (already looks very good), but I want to add at least some stabilizing wires to the frames. Unfortunately I have seen too late that I missed to add (more) attachment points for the complete rig, but I will add some - even though the process scares me, and I am afraid that I can no longer push it away... $:-\$

Dizzyfugu · July 03, 2018, 09:16:50 AM

Here's what the model looks like at the moment - pls. note the asymmetrical roundels on the upper wings, this was part of the scheme proposal! The black wings leave me a little puzzled (esp. since there were layouts with all-green wings, all black wings, or, as seen here, only with the lower wings in black) - I assume that this was intended for quick ID purposes?

1:72 Airco TR.2 of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

nighthunter · July 03, 2018, 09:52:05 AM

Glorious!

Dizzyfugu · July 03, 2018, 11:17:03 AM

Thank you! Rigging WiP, actual life pics while England plays vs. Colombia. The job is done with grey sprue material and attached with simple white glue. Works (unexpectedly) like a charm, and I am happy that I went this post-painting route, because - as you can tell by the wire forest - any attempt to paint anything after the wiring would end in disaster. The long steering cables are still to follow, though, but it looks very good and improves the kit's look.

1:72 Airco TR.2 of the Royal Air Force 157 Squadron; Battle of Amiens, July/August 1918 (Whif/Revell kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

PR19_Kit · July 03, 2018, 12:37:10 PM

That's looking suitably amazing.

And it's only July 3rd!

Dizzyfugu · July 04, 2018, 12:55:41 AM

The model has been finished this morning: pilot and machine gun in place, engine with propeller has been mounted (fiddly affair between all the wires!) as well as the new wheels. And I stopped counting the wires after about 60 of these delicate plastic strings...

Looks very good, though, I am curious about some action pics now!

NARSES2 · July 04, 2018, 06:46:58 AM

It does look good

The asymetrical roundels throw me when I look at 3 view drawings of the proposed schemes, let alone in the flesh

PR19_Kit · July 04, 2018, 02:32:01 PM

Quote from: NARSES2 on July 04, 2018, 06:46:58 AM

The asymetrical roundels throw me when I look at 3 view drawings of the proposed schemes, let alone in the flesh

Same idea as the asymmetric Polish 'Squarals' perhaps? To throw off the enemy's aim.

Dizzyfugu · July 04, 2018, 11:32:52 PM

Yes, AFAIK this move was introduced to distract enemy fighters, hampering their aiming effort.

nighthunter · July 05, 2018, 02:33:22 AM

If I recall correctly, the asymmetrical roundels was to fool the attacking aircraft into believing that the aircraft in question was banking/turning and would throw off the attacking aircraft's aim.

NARSES2 · July 05, 2018, 06:29:22 AM

Quote from: Dizzyfugu on July 04, 2018, 11:32:52 PM
Yes, AFAIK this move was introduced to distract enemy fighters, hampering their aiming effort.

Yup, I've always wondered what effect they'd have on AAA gunners as well ?