luftwaffa camoflage

[selrach]

Steve, Thanks for your comments, observations and admonitions. I do not pretend to know all about any technique. I am open to any and all methods. My use of masks is in essence an admission of my inability to consistently get the effects I want with the free hand airbrush at 1/48 and smaller. In my view free hand is the way to go if you can get what you want out of it. I have found that torn-edged masks can really be helpful in certain situations and perhaps others may find this method of use as well.

P.S. Are all the previous photos of your models as well? They are marvelous! What scales?

Selrach

[Ian M]

Hi Ian, I have not had good luck with brass or vinyl masks. The problem is that the edges are too abrupt. With paper, you can create a rough edge which helps to fuzz out the paint spray. This effect however can be finessed as needed.Selrach

To get a softer edge, move the mask away from the subject.

Ian M

[selrach]

Thanks Ian, I have found PE masks to be too hard edged to get the effect I am looking for. Paper works much better for me, but the paper stock can neither be too thick or too thin. Magazine order forms seem to be just about right.

Selrach

[stona]

P.S. Are all the previous photos of your models as well? They are marvelous! What scales?

Selrach

They are,glad you like them. Those are mostly 1/32.

I agree that these effects are more doable at 1/32 and 1/48 type sizes. They can be done at 1/72 with a bit of practice. Just to show that my eyes still just about work at 1/72 here's a "damaged", "what if",spuriously marked, Fw 190 from a 1/72 scale diorama I built a while back. The camouflage is painted freehand.

Heres a Bf 109 from the same diorama (looking a bit out of place!). It's also obviously 1/72 and that unusual camouflage with RLM 77/82 and a mottle comprised almost of dots is based on a real aircraft.

Cheers

Steve

[selrach]

Very nice Steve, I think you did and excellent job on these, probably better than 99 percent of people out there. At 1/48 and smaller more diffuse effects are within reach free hand but tighter over spray areas that are seen in photographs are readily achieved for smaller scales with scribed and torn masks, but not practically achievable free hand. I guess it depends on how close one wants to come to reproducing at scale what is seen in photographs. There are also fine mist and diffusion effects that be achieved with certain special mask techniques at 1/48 and 1/72 that I have never seen reproduced, at least with fine atomisation. I will try to demonstrate this on model I am presently working on.

Selrach