Revell 1/32 Tornado GR1 - Desert War

[BarryW]

I have sprayed the wheel wells and masked them.



Then I started spraying the Desert Pink. I have two 30ml MRP bottles and at first wondered if that would be enough on what seems a large expanse of model.

For those daunted by a big kit the best advice is to work slowly in sections.

Here is how it looked after the first cup of paint. I am always surprised at just how far MRP actually goes and I definitely will have plenty of paint.



For those who are unaware the variation in tone is deliberate and an outcome of the black basing method. Nothing looks more toy like than an even solid colour. Black basing is the first stage of weathering.

Here it is after the second cup of paint.


And at the end of my session, the missus is calling to go shopping!!


One to two more cups of paint will do it and I should have most of one bottle left.

Speaking of MRP I have used the new plastic bottle for the first time. Here it is side by side with the old glass bottle



Note the flip cap revealing a pouring hole. These have been criticised because that does not work well as you cannot compress the bottle. That is right but, why not just remove the top and use an eye dropper and you are no worse off than before..... Actually, it is better than that. The bottle is nicely shaped to pour the open bottle direct into the airbrush cup with the top removed. Just remember to wipe the neck of the bottle after.


The new MRP bottles are great with no worries of glass breakages any more

[Jim R]

Hi Barry
Top coat is looking very good. The variation in tone is nice. Very neat masking and all very organized.
The only criticism I would have with the plastic bottles is they are tall and light which makes them prone to be knocked over. Perhaps some sort of simple holder could solve the problem.
Jim

[BarryW]

Hi Jim. Yes you are right. What I have for the glass bottles are a bit too big and these bottles are too large for Vallejo sized holders. But it is easy enough to screw the top back on immediately you have poured the paint into the airbrush cup. Problem solved, just got to remember to do it and not be complacent.

[BarryW]

I managed to sneak into the man cave to finish off the Desert Pink.

This build has brought home to me just what good coverage you get from MRP provided you work slowly and close in at low pressure. Even after using it for a year or two I was wondering whether the two bottles of 30ml paint would be enough for such a large expanse of airframe plus, of course, some of the stores. I ended up using less than one bottle with enough left in it for touching up. I ended the spray session with a mist coat of MLT mixed with what was left in the cup which was also part of the airbrush cleaning process. That MLT reactivates the paint, levels and blends it leaving a uniform semi gloss ready for decals. There remain a few areas that I will need to mask up again for some additional paint work before decaling.



Nice to get this stage done.

[BarryW]

By the way. Decision made. After the Kitty Hawk F5 Tiger, up next, it will be the Tamiya F16.

[Jim R]

Hi Barry
That is an impressive paint job. The black primer coat has allowed a nice variation in tone. That coverage from the paint makes it better value :thumb2: Interesting that the finish is smooth enough to decal onto without a further gloss coat.
Jim

[BarryW]

Hi Barry
That is an impressive paint job. The black primer coat has allowed a nice variation in tone. That coverage from the paint makes it better value :thumb2: Interesting that the finish is smooth enough to decal onto without a further gloss coat.
Jim

Indeed Jim. It gives a beautiful finish specially when you do the MLT final mist coat

[BarryW]

I spent an entire session masking in various places for some detail painting.
[ATTACH]356419[/ATTACH]

Various colours to be sprayed tonight and some hand painted detail as well.

[papa 695]

looking very good Barry.

[BarryW]

I have been doing some touch ups and detail painting having removed the masking with some localised masking for touch ups.

I used this for some of the metal details where a brush is needed. This is wax based and with a small drop of white spirit it goes a long way. Gives a nice metal effect. You do need a decent varnish coat on it before using enamel washes though so be warned.


Here is a pic as it currently is. I still have some undercarriage detail to paint and an odd bit of touching up to do.





I am not removing the mask from the engine areas until it has had the final varnish coat. I will weather that area separately then.

[Vaughan]

Barry, Looking very impressive.

[Ian M]

Looking very nice Barry.
Those paints, are they allowed to be sent by air-mail or are they on the no fly list as well. Being over here is a pain at times since the jobsworths started banning this that and the other from air transport...

[Jim R]

Hi Barry
Paintwork is very nice. Not seen that metallic paint before.
Jim

[BarryW]

Looking very nice Barry.
Those paints, are they allowed to be sent by air-mail or are they on the no fly list as well. Being over here is a pain at times since the jobsworths started banning this that and the other from air transport...

I do t see why not Ian. It can be ordered direct from AK via their website. I got mine, a full set, a ping time back.

[BarryW]

A rare opportunity for a bit of mid week daytime work on the model.

I have been applying decals.

One quick pic - currently wet with decal fluid.