Overspray and photo interpretation.

[stona]

In preperation for my diorama attempt I have been immersing myself in P-40 references. I came accross this nice photo of a Captain Jack Bade standing by a P-40F-5. Many profiles show different coloured bands bordering white markings,particularly the white tails used in New Guinea. These bands probably didn't exist. As you can see here the illusion of a band is caused by the removal of the masking tape and white overspray.

This overspray effect has happened on my models and can be a b*gger to touch up. Maybe,sometimes, I shouldn't!

Enjoy:

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

Mmm, not sure but this looks like a white stripe with the darker colour on either side. Are you sure that prior to the white stripe being sprayed, a fresh spray of the darker (background colour) was not applied? If this was done it would give the impression as pictured as the newer paint for the stripe background would be slight darker having not been weathered as much. The reason I ask is that if it was just where the masking tape had been why would there be white overspray on the masked area? Just a thought.

[stona]

Fair point. I reckon that tape was placed on the fuselage and then the white was sprayed. The tape was then removed to reveal a nice edge to the white on the left (as we look) but due to all the overspray lightening the fuselage colour,to the right of the tape, the original colour (cleaned up by the tape) looks like a dark band on the right of the white.

If a code letter was being changed it is possible that a fresh coat of the fuselage colour was first sprayed over the original letter, but why worry about masking that? Either way I don't believe there is a different coloured border to the letter. Some profiles of the white tailed P-40s have red,blue or black borders seemingly dependent on the artists taste!

See what I mean about interpretation! It demonstrates how hard these photos can be to decipher.I certainly claim no particular expertise but I have inadvertantly created exactly this effect by using thin masking tape and underestimating the overspray (or overestimating my own ability LOL) with an airbrush. Problem is it wasn't what I was looking for.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

I do see your point and I agree that it is very unlikely that there was a different colour band. Either way, the darker area must have been caused by either repainting or, more likely now I think about it, cleaned by masking tape as you say. Not sure at what 'scale' you would actually see this effect though. It is like the two thoughts on sharp and soft edges to camo. In scale I believe and it is only my personal opinion that rounded camo shapes look better soft edged whereas splinter or straight line camo as used on some German aircraft look better masked sharp. All a matter of interpretation. I don't think I will be attempting to replicate this effect of the darker band on 1:48 or below but 1:32 and above... maybe.

[stona]

I don't think I will be attempting to replicate this effect of the darker band on 1:48 or below but 1:32 and above... maybe.

Me neither,not intentionally anyway! Incidentally I agree about camo edges unless I have a good reference to the contrary.

Cheers

Steve