1/72 Revell P-47D Thunderbolt

[AlanG]

Whilst i'm waiting to get some lead shot for my Ta-154 i decided to throw this little kit together. I've never done a new metal finish before on a model so this was just going to be an experiment. The cockpit has been painted but nothing special as i said this was an experiment.

I'm brush paintingtwo coats of Humbrol Metalcote 27002 (Polished Aluminium) then sealing with Klear. I'm having to paint it in sections due to the metalcote coming off if you handle it after polishing. It's not a great finish when done with brushes and i suspect it would be vastly better when airbrushed. But if i'm honest i just can't be bothered to do it on something this cheap.

Still it's not coming out too bad and as of tonight i've done the tail and the port wing. Here are the results so far.

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[AlanG]

Little tip for you when using this paint as well. I've found that if you do the first coat at 90 degrees to the direction of the airflow then do the second coat with the airflow it gives a better shine. Well it does for me any how lol

[Guest]

Looks very good! I like to see how good some models can come out when brush painted.

[AlanG]

Marcos, i've actually painted most of it now but not added the ics yet as it's only had the first coat. It certainly looks ok though. Ok it'll never be as good as alclad but it's alot cheaper and easier to apply.

[Guest]

I think that is a pretty amazing finish for brush painting and just goes to show what can be achieved without an airbrush. I made things like this all my youth with tins of Humbrol and a selection of brushes.

OK they were rubbish but I learned a lot!!!

[Ian M]

Looking good Allyne. I use Metalcoat quite a bit and although the Alu finnishes brush well the steel and gun metal do not!

The Polished Alu when done with an Airbrush is comparable to alclad. Give it a soft buff with a soft cotton and its the bees wotsits.

[Guest]

Hi Allyne, finish looks good, might experiment with this stuff for my Lightning. A very timely posting. Cheers Derek

[AlanG]

I'm actually trying to post the latest pics but for some reason either my phone or my laptop isn't connecting with each other for me to upload them

[AlanG]

The only thing that's left to paint is the nose cowling and the top of the right wing. The rest has been done and come out ok i think

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[Guest]

That is looking a bit gorgeous Al, you have done a cracking job on the metal finish. I know we tend to see Alclad as the 'Holy Grail' of NMF but in reality, it can be achieved in other ways as you are very well proving.

[AlanG]

Right i've given the cowling and the right wing top side it's first coating. You can see by this pic that i have gone across the airflow and you can also see the marks that it leaves behind. These do dissapear after the second coat (which go with the airflow this time). Really chuffed about this now. Really want to try and get a decent surface and spray it next time.

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[AlanG]

That's all the metalcote applied now. Just a final coat of klear to lock it all in then olive green disrupter and time for undercarriage, prop and decals

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[Guest]

That metallic finish does look superb. If I had used Alclad and got it that good I would have been happy.

[Guest]

Cracking job, well done. I do love the Thunderbolt especially the Razor back version/

Andy

[AlanG]

Cheers guys