P-38 Lightning

[Coloradoken]

I've started this build for a "M" model, the Black Widow, and noticed that pix and the box show it with a glossy paint finish but I would expect the actual plane to have a flat finish. Although the gloss looks slick is it authentic? What do you think, gloss or flat black?

[rjdelisi]

I think that if you want to represent a plane right off the factory floor gloss black would be the way to go. Black planes that have been in service would lose the gloss pretty quickly, so then I'd go with semi gloss.

[David Lewis]

When I have a choice between eye appeal and authenticity, I go for whatever looks the best. I always substitute gloss for flat finish. Personal preference.

[Coloradoken]

I usually use brushes for coatings but am thinking of using an air brush. Have never tried it. Any suggestions?

[backyardbalsapilot]

I've never used an airbrush, but spraying finishes out of a rattle can works a lot better than brushing them on.

[rjdelisi]

I'm not sure I'd want to tackle a model the size of the Guillows P-38 as my 1st attempt with an airbrush....especially since it sounds like you want to go with a single color. I think a rattle can might be the way to go, but if you're going to try, I'd use a single action airbrush like the badger 350 with the "H" (heavy) needle/tip.

[cliffm]

You will absolutely never want to paint with anything else after you have used an airbrush. My brother bought a cheap plastic one and it worked fine but with use it slowly showed the wears of time and was a disappointment in the end. I bought one that cost about $75 and stood the test of time and is, as new, with many hours of use on various paints. Main thing is to clean it after each use and not let it sit uncleaned. I have used cheap acrylics from wally world with fantastic results, water clean-up and no obnoxious smells to deal with safe around pets and children. A compressor will probably be your main concern, you need to be able to regulate air down to 10-15 lbs. and will never need more than 60 lbs. After you get your mixes the way you like the finishes are simply flawless compared to brushing unless your like a Picasso. Try it, you'll love it.

[cliffm]

If you go back to a post on Sept. 3 2011 called HI-HO Silver this was one of my first or second builds using my airbrush.

[Bill Gaylord]

When I have a choice between eye appeal and authenticity, I go for whatever looks the best. I always substitute gloss for flat finish. Personal preference.

Agreed, the gloss can be overkill. I read an article that mentioned how we view full scale aircraft at a distance, when viewing the entire aircraft. This has some effect on how we perceive the colors, being a bit lighter and with less sheen due to the atmosphere between us and the aircraft. The notion was that model colors should be a bit lighter and possibly less glossy, since the model is viewed closer, which will give the same relative appearance. Gloss also tends to look ARFish. Although it can look good, I would never consider the full ARF look of putting Red Bull graphics on a model.