Vertical Vengeance: A Dive into History. Dive Bomber Group Build

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I'm late to the party but I decided my next build is going to be the Academy SBD from the battle of Midway. What color is everyone using for the top blue? There is a set Vallejo has for that period and it suggests the faded pru blue. Thinking about using that. I'm awful with colors especially blues.
 
I'm late to the party but I decided my next build is going to be the Academy SBD from the battle of Midway. What color is everyone using for the top blue? There is a set Vallejo has for that period and it suggests the faded pru blue. Thinking about using that. I'm awful with colors especially blues.
I'm going to be even later to the party, but I'll probably go with the Vallejo faded PRU. Remember this is the tropics, SBDs were never below deck, and salt air with tropical sun tends to fade colors rapidly.
 
Nice!

I'm also using this GB to try new methods, got some time in the spray-garage this morning. I had sprayed the underside/gray Friday, today was all about the blue.

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You can see my three bottles of mixes blues (salute to Stevia Ray!) back there. I washed the plastic with isopropyl, no primer (gasp!) and used the late-war navy blue as a pre-shade.

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I was not worried about precision (obviously), just a general darker shade in some areas.

Then I put the middle shade of blue down. I know this is too dark to be "correct", but even though this is sota the base color-coat, I will lighten it up cnsiderable to a heavy poast-shading.

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Depending on the lighting it looks way to dark, or a little too dark.

But after a realitively heavy post-shading session, more like a post-highlight, is that a term? Anyway, used that light blue that was way to bright by itself to have a three-layer sandwhich of blue shades.

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I'll let that sit for a few hours then clear-gloss it, I am concerned how much that will darken it, but the insignais are so dark I think the final color will work out.
Nice. Pantherman
 
I'm late to the party but I decided my next build is going to be the Academy SBD from the battle of Midway. What color is everyone using for the top blue? There is a set Vallejo has for that period and it suggests the faded pru blue. Thinking about using that. I'm awful with colors especially blues.
I'm using Tamiya XF-18 medium blue and XF-80 royal light gray for underside.
 
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I was kicking myself a bit for forgetting to paint the canopy bits I intend to use (the one in the pics is only for a mask) while I had the blue out and loaded up.

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But then it dawned on me that I needed to paint the green 1st, so no loss of time/effort/paint, it had to be done separately anyway.

I usually cover the interior surfaced with 3M tape to avoid overspray, but I'm wondering if that is needed. If I hold these carefull while spraying, there shouldn't be overspray on the interior surfaces. Anything light could be removed with a Q-tip and alchohol, I usually polish them a little anyway. What do you do?
 
I was kicking myself a bit for forgetting to paint the canopy bits I intend to use (the one in the pics is only for a mask) while I had the blue out and loaded up.

View attachment 164557

But then it dawned on me that I needed to paint the green 1st, so no loss of time/effort/paint, it had to be done separately anyway.

I usually cover the interior surfaced with 3M tape to avoid overspray, but I'm wondering if that is needed. If I hold these carefull while spraying, there shouldn't be overspray on the interior surfaces. Anything light could be removed with a Q-tip and alchohol, I usually polish them a little anyway. What do you do?
I usually tape the inside as well. One reason is I'm not very good with the airbrush.
 
I was kicking myself a bit for forgetting to paint the canopy bits I intend to use (the one in the pics is only for a mask) while I had the blue out and loaded up.

View attachment 164557

But then it dawned on me that I needed to paint the green 1st, so no loss of time/effort/paint, it had to be done separately anyway.

I usually cover the interior surfaced with 3M tape to avoid overspray, but I'm wondering if that is needed. If I hold these carefull while spraying, there shouldn't be overspray on the interior surfaces. Anything light could be removed with a Q-tip and alchohol, I usually polish them a little anyway. What do you do?
Usually the same as you said. Pantherman
 
I got some paint on the bird
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The dive brakes are painted, and ouch that first photo is bad. My apologies.
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I can see some additional clean up and some minor touchups, but definitely better than the very first canopy I painted.
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No detail painting yet no weathering or decals yet, I'll at least get the decals on over the next day or 2 then gloss clear finish for the weathering. Getting close to being done.
 
I got some weathering done, and panel lining. The dirt layer if you will.

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I used "Payne's gray" on the lower and "Prussian blue" on the upper. Plan to do some paint fading soon with the airbrush and hyper-thinned color to simulate sun fading and make it a bit more 3D.
 
I just sit back and watch…
I could not wait until tomorrow, put a light coat of highlights on top and bottom.

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Looking at the pictures I just posted, I see that some of the alcohol tinted with paint ran down the cowling. Bummer! But easy to fix.

Next step (after fixing errors like that) is another clear to seal the fragile paint and prepare for stickers!
 
For those of you doing the Academy (Accurate Miniatures) version, any idea what this part is?

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Looking at it now, I'm wondering if it is a mutated version of the A2A defense gun (painted wrong by me), but my kit came with a single .30cal Browning, so I am confused.
 
the day to myself for a change.
Lookin' great!
I seem to be having mostly the other kinda days these days, but its all good!
Some research uncovered a great thread on another forum where a chap points out all the manufacturer's mistakes in the kit I'm building... most I will ignore as this is my first plane build, and I should be happy if I manage just to get the wings on!
So some paint and the proper machine gun on order for the rear gunner!
 
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