Dave W's Phantom

[Ian M]

Look as if they are in the right places to me. I cant see in the photo, but have you remembered the smaller one on the hump behind the canopy?

Ian M

[Dave W]

I think that was some kind of antenna,not an access panel Ian.The area it's on was itself an access panel that was hinged at the back just in front of the long spine panel.Very similar to the door on the Tornado.I will probably paint the circle on.Just put a coat of primer on the model.this has shown up a few areas that need attention as expected.

[Dave W]

I noticed a while ago that the camo patern on Robin Olds F4 was different to the one in the kit instructions.Even though the same colours are used.So I had a hunt on the Internet and found a scheme and some more photos of the man himself.

[Dave W]

I've filled the scribing mistakes and put a final coat of primer on.Then I sprayed the nose radome with Vallejo black.Im going to have a go at salt weathering on this one.So I've sprayed some aluminium paint on.I can't work out if the colour showing through the camo is grey undercoat or bare metal.So right or wrong I'm going with bare metal.I used Humbrol enamel aluminium as Ive had problems spraying on top of Vallejo aluminium.Will put the salt on tomorrow.

[colin m]

Looking nice Dave. It's always great to be at that point were you know, no more filling and sanding.

[flyjoe180]

It's looking very nice Dave. Looking forward to seeing the salt chipping at work.

[Ian M]

Might I suggest that you do a little bit of salt, then spray gull gray. Then give it the rest.

I believe they had the camouflage painted over the factory paint....

Ian M

[Dave W]

Tonight Ive put some salt on the model as I'm going to try and replicate some of the paint wear on Robin Olds Phantom.Ive sprayed the tips of the Sargent Fletcher tanks aluminium as I'm going to weather these as well.I remember from my time working on Phantoms in the RAF that the paint was usually eroded to bare metal at the front end of the tanks.Ive also scribed the detail on the stabilators and filled in some sink marks.Tomorrow I will start spraying the camo.This is the first time Ive tried salt weathering.Be interesting to see how it turns out.Ive put salt on the wing and fin leading edges as well.

[flyjoe180]

Look forward to seeing how this turns out Dave.

[Dave W]

So am I Joe.Hope I don't ruin the model!.not done it before.But I want to improve my skills.So I need to try new techniques.Im off to work now so it will have to wait until this evening

[Ian M]

Go for it Dave! I will look forward to seeing the results of your efforts. The first time is always the fun one....

Ian M

[papa 695]

Great work Dave should look good when you take the salt off later ( fingers crossed for you )

[Dave W]

A bit more progress.I masked the underside and in doing so managed to knock some of the salt off.So I applied some more and then sprayed the tan colour.Started masking off the tan this evening.Will hopefully finish masking tomorrow and spray the medium green on.

[flyjoe180]

Keen to see the edges of the camouflage when it's done Dave.

[Dave W]

Sprayed the two greens on then removed all the masking.Realised I had got the greens arse about face!.The dark should be where the light green is and vice versa.i then set about removing the salt.This proved to be quite difficult.I think it's come out best on the right hand side of the model.Honest opinions welcomed.Its the first time Ive tried it.The problem now is the rest of the paint work is pristine.Not sure what to do.Ive also managed to lose an aileron!.Should be easy to make a new one though.