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Storm Warning

Weathering

The residue of the setting solution was removed from the model using clean water and a rag. The Mr Softer, being white, seemed to leave more of a mark than clear setting solutions do. This was not a problem and the model was cleaned in a matter of minutes. A dry rag was used to help the drying process.

I made sure there were no bits hanging around on the surface, by using a tack rag, then applied two more brushed coats of Klear. These coats help level out the surface with the decals, preventing the washes building up against them. The Klear also protects the decals from the weathering process.

A wash consisting of artist oil paint and white spirit was applied (see my article HERE) for an explanation of the process). I also used the wash on the invasion stripes. Although it could be argued that these would be clean, due to them being applied recently. I left them free of any wash at first, but they just didn’t look right. I lightened the wash, slightly, on the invasion stripes, I think they look much better for it.

I know, from talking to my mate at work that used to paint full size aircraft at RAF Finningly, that they weathered pretty fast. Also white would show up any dirt in no time. You will also see that I have included cordite staining, to suggest that this aircraft has already been active while carrying the stripes. In fact there probably aren’t many “targets” left.

I used very small amounts of neat Davy Grey oil paint to simulate oil and dirt streaks. These were placed with the point of a toothpick, to the edges of inspection panels, then dragged back with a finger or cotton bud. Don’t overdo this, you don’t want it to look like it’s leaking like a sieve. But it’s a nice affect that adds a little realism and shows that the aircraft is in use.

The wash is allowed to dry for a few days, then the matt coat is applied. I am currently using Humbrol Matt Coat, which gives a nice finish. Don’t forget to wash and matt coat all the dangly bits as well.

Once the matt coat is dry I add a little paint chipping using a silver pencil. This needs to be done sparingly and in the appropriate places. Wing leading edges, around access panels, particularly around those that are opened regularly, such as engine and gun/ammo access panels. The fasteners would also have paint worn off them. I also chip along the odd panel line and or junction. The tip of the spinner would lose paint. Also pictures of Typhoons show the front third of the rivets, on the lower canopy rail to be missing paint. I re-sharpened the silver pencil and add a few dots to represent this.

Cordite and engine exhaust was added using tyre black, more a dark grey. For the cannon I aimed the spray directly at the muzzle, this gave a more realistic affect than streaking cordite stains back along the wing. This is true for guns that extend somewhat from the wing, unlike Spitfire guns that are fully contained in the wings and cordite did streak back along the wings.