Dear friends and fellow modelers........
As you all know (I think), I'm in the workings of getting back into the lovely
world of modeling again after a few blue moons. I'd like if possible to get some tips and advices from you all regarding brushes, airbrushes, tvicers, drills, paints (want to use acrylics) and so on and so forth....
I've been collecting kits here and there in 1/48 since that's scale I prefer to build in, like the size and detailing possibilities in that scale.
I've got a few Catalinas that I have decided to start with. I'm gonna build one -5 and one -5A. The -5 I'll build as a "Dumbo" and the -5A as a Black Cat. I want to replace the cockpit, glass, guns, engines/props, wheels and maybe landing gear on the -5A (or is it strong enough?)...
I have found the right P&W R-1830 engine at Buffie's Best, which is the right propellers for the Catalina?
Guns, I found some nice ones made by Karaya that I'd like to try, looks really awesome so they do.
But, what can I use to replace the cockpit and the compartments for the gunners? Any ideas?
One thing that I wonder is, how do you preshade a black aircraft???
So as a "relapsed criminal" I need all the help that I can get....
In other words, WHAT would YOU use to make a really good Catalina?
Thanks a million folks!

Jan

Sorry...forgot the links.....

Buffie's Best
Karaya

Does anyone know where I can find a decent upgrading kit for the Catalina and its cockpit and gunners? So far I've only found True Details and it doesn't seem to be much in it....or am I wrong?
Another thing....how on earth do you preshade a black aircraft??

Jan

Eduard do a photoetch kit for the 1:72 Cat - and a masking kit for the canopies - can't say how good they are - mine are still in the post. Also availale are resin props and wheels - try searching Hannats web site.

Preshading a black aircraft?? I'm gonna try painting mine in a very dark grey, rather than flat black, so pre shading may work. The kit is in Black styrene, but i'll prime in either white or grey Halfords Primer first

HTH

Andy

Howdy Jan,

Wish I could be of more help with your 'Cat' projects, but it seems like you already know more than I in regards to AM products for the wee beastie.....and as far as help with all the other stuff, if you can narrow it down a tad, I'm sure you will receive oodles of advice from us all.

Now, as to "preshading" a black aircraft? Well, quite honestly, the first question that pops into my head is; why? But of course first I must tell you I'm not much of a fan of this technique so my input might be considered circumspect by the masses.....but since the colour black is too often done.....badly, and out of scale IMHO, my only suggestion is to experiment with multiple filters of charcoal greys, greens and browns to get your black colour 'right'. {if the underlying aircraft skin is aluminum. try reds and browns if steel/iron}

But then that's just what I'd do to bugger my project up is all

Tread.

G'day matey....

What I'm looking to do is to improve the cockpit and gunners positions which you have a good view of.
So far I have problems finding any decent P/E and resin sets for the Cat.
Found something from True Details and Eduard but that seems just to be for the cockpit.....siiigh. :-)
I've found the engines that I want instead for the ones supplied in kit, Vector's Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 rather nice jewels.....
I'm also gonna replace the guns with Karaya they're looking just good as the real thing.

Preshading does what? It "brings out detail" and shows wear along panel lines.

Consider that black really doesn't exist as we think of it. It is an extremely dark shade of blue or brown or gray. Also, black can be rather reflective (note what the undercoat for Alcad is--gloss black!), ever look at a steam locomotive under a clear sky? The top can have a very blue hue.

So, what I would do is either preshade with black and paint the night camo as a black well tinted with blue, brown or as a very dark gray, or...

...consider how the PBY was built--festooned with raised rivets. Those rivets will catch and reflect the light. Thus if I did not try my first idea, I would do the opposite--paint the PBY black and pre... (er, post shade!) with the dark blue / gray / brown!

I swear by Polly Scale. I find that it sprays, adheres, and resists tape far better than Tamiya and MM (Model Master) Acryl.