model paint dilemma

nazca_steve · Post by **nazca_steve** » 16 Jun 2006, 18:48

Calling all plastic model kit makers!

It's been a good 10 years since I last built a kit, but have started a Frog Canberra Mark 8 and am running into a painting issue. All guides point to the upper surface camo as being Dark Sea Grey and Dark Green. I matched this to Humbrol 66 and 30 respectively, but when applied, they just look wrong. Plain wrong. I've mixed them thoroughly but it's not that.

I'm thinking I've got the wrong colours, and wondered if anyone can recommend some alternatives. I have a few in mind that appear closer, but I know there are some good modellers on this forum that might know better.

Thanks,

Steve

Ed Walters · Post by **Ed Walters** » 16 Jun 2006, 18:50

Hi Steve,
I use this site quite often when determining colours for my projects...

http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/colorchart ... charts.asp

It has paint matches to all sorts of different real world standards.

All the best

Ed

nazca_steve · Post by **nazca_steve** » 16 Jun 2006, 22:38

Thanks a lot, Ed. Based on that chart, it looks like my new Dark Green choice is closer to the real thing, but will need to use Medium Sea Grey as opposed to Dark Sea Grey. This has really helped!

Best,

Steve

AndyG · Post by **AndyG** » 16 Jun 2006, 22:44

Steve,

Humbrol 66 is way too dark, nearer to Extra DSG - I used to use that one for painting tyres! A quick search on the Hannants site seems to suggest 164 would be better.

AndyG

fournier · Post by **fournier** » 20 Jun 2006, 11:46

Whoa! Stay well away from Humbrol 30. That colour changes from batch to batch!
It's been a bone of contention for a long time now and the general concesus of us IPMS types is that we simply don't touch it. Depending on how 'weathered' you want to go, a good substitute for the green on post war RAF types is Humbrol 117.

nazca_steve · Post by **nazca_steve** » 22 Jun 2006, 01:48

fournier wrote:Whoa! Stay well away from Humbrol 30. That colour changes from batch to batch!
It's been a bone of contention for a long time now and the general concesus of us IPMS types is that we simply don't touch it. Depending on how 'weathered' you want to go, a good substitute for the green on post war RAF types is Humbrol 117.

Ah, so I am not losing my mind! It's funny because I still have a lot of my old paints from years back, including Humbrol 30, it is different, even by the lid colour! I don't ever recall it being so lime green as it came out, which shocked me into typing this email. I actually went with 76 or 77 I can;t remember, but it was an dark olive green that seemed to match photos better. I used much to light a grey, i think it was 125 or 6 I'll check tonight, but then if you leave a plane out in in any decent sun (we'll say it was on detacment to Cyprus for a while!) they fade.

I was appalled however when I tried to give it a gloss coat of Revell gloss varnish. It was tacky and totally unpaintable after a good mixing. HORRIFIC. I stopped after a few strokes. Scared. Sweating. Was this going to balls up my first kit in years? In the end I spray-varnished with a gloss spray and it aint too bad (not sure if this is sacrilage in the IPMS world or not!!).

I'll keep you in the loop as to how she goes. Making my own transfers (does everyone call them decals now?) too which is a first. Anyone have any good tips on white transfers (i.e. codes and serials) or do I have to buy an ALPS printer? It's going to be a tricky bugger cutting around them off the white paper!

Cheers all,

Steve

AndyG · Post by **AndyG** » 22 Jun 2006, 13:11

nazca_steve wrote: I used much to light a grey, i think it was 125 or 6 I'll check tonight....

Steve

So not 164 then! :tuttut:

BTW Emailing over the first 3 Canberras tonight.

AndyG

nazca_steve · Post by **nazca_steve** » 22 Jun 2006, 20:22

Sorry Andy, being out here in US makes it damn hard to come by Humbrol colours, and my collection from home is lacking 164 :sad:
What I need is a Humbrol to Testors conversion chart since that's all I'll be getting in the shops till my next UK visit!

Looking forward to that new Canberra material though, nice one. While we're waiting on the Sea Hawk I was thinking of doing another PR.9 and maybe a few more Mark 8s after your three come in.

But then there's this Frog kit that's waiting to be finished!