How much is "too much" weathering?

[Dizzyfugu]

Well, reality is sometimes stranger than real life, esp. when it comes to weathering models. Sometimes, things look overdone and awkward - but reality can be even more exaggerated!

For instance, these GAU-8 soot stains under a (normally uniform light grey with a dark fake canopy) A-10... 




Have you found similar cases? Put them here, for reference and inspiration. 

[loupgarou]

Don't try to deceive me, Dizzy! It's very recognizable as one of your jobs.

[Weaver]

Context is key. An aircraft that's two years into a hard and dirty war is likely to be looking a bit shabby. An aircraft that's sitting in the static park at an airshow, not so much.


Off at a tangent: I always find the placement of that targeting pod on station 10 peculiar. It's inboard of a pair of AIM-9s that block a fair chunk of it's field of view. You'd think it'd be better on stations 1 or 11 where there's nothing outboard of it... 

[zenrat]

IME you know when you've applied too much weathering just after its too late.

[scooter]

Off at a tangent: I always find the placement of that targeting pod on station 10 peculiar. It's inboard of a pair of AIM-9s that block a fair chunk of it's field of view. You'd think it'd be better on stations 1 or 11 where there's nothing outboard of it... 

That's what JTACs are for, Weaver.

[Weaver]

Off at a tangent: I always find the placement of that targeting pod on station 10 peculiar. It's inboard of a pair of AIM-9s that block a fair chunk of it's field of view. You'd think it'd be better on stations 1 or 11 where there's nothing outboard of it... 

That's what JTACs are for, Weaver.

What, you want to carry a JTAC on station 10?

[scooter]

Off at a tangent: I always find the placement of that targeting pod on station 10 peculiar. It's inboard of a pair of AIM-9s that block a fair chunk of it's field of view. You'd think it'd be better on stations 1 or 11 where there's nothing outboard of it... 

That's what JTACs are for, Weaver.

What, you want to carry a JTAC on station 10?

[jcf]

Context is key. An aircraft that's two years into a hard and dirty war is likely to be looking a bit shabby. An aircraft that's sitting in the static park at an airshow, not so much.


Off at a tangent: I always find the placement of that targeting pod on station 10 peculiar. It's inboard of a pair of AIM-9s that block a fair chunk of it's field of view. You'd think it'd be better on stations 1 or 11 where there's nothing outboard of it... 

Probably because that station has the necessary wiring in place as it can support a Maverick, like
Station 3.

[Dizzyfugu]

"Slightly worn..."



Note the bird poo on the fin on this Macedonian Frogfoot!

[Dizzyfugu]

Another example for "No, this is too much and looks ridiculous":



Not certain about the context, but the presence of an AIM-7 under the Phantom suggests that it is an early USAF F-4C(?) in Vietnam, which were originally delivered in USN colors, just with air force markings. This one seems to have been overpainted with SEA scheme colors, but without a proper preparation of the old paint underneath?

[PR19_Kit]

They probably used hairy stick paint with an airbrush, or the other way round...... 

[zenrat]

I like that.  I'd like to see more.  It looks like the spine isn't as "weathered" as the nose.

[Pellson]

Sometimes, things look overdone and awkward - but reality can be even more exaggerated!

All of the Royal Danish Air Force during the eighties..



Above said, returning to your question - I think it's an impossible question to answer. It's a matter of preference, of habit and ideal. And it's very much a case similar to the old saying "beauty is in the eye of the beholder".

I'm personally not much for heavy weathering, and I'm happy to come clean with that. Hence, if someone asks for my opinion about a build, and I find the weathering too heavy, then I will air that opinion - as it is my opinion that someone asked for. But that doesn't mean I'm "correct". Just that my preference differs somewhat from the builders own, and peace be with that. Reality is, after all, surprisingly often more "whif" than we are.. 

[scooter]

Sometimes, things look overdone and awkward - but reality can be even more exaggerated!

All of the Royal Danish Air Force during the eighties..

Looks like they went overboard with the preshading

[jcf]