Hi all,

Another one returning to the hobby, now the kids are grown and I have a little more time! I discovered Aeroscale a while back and marvel at the standard of work here, not saying I can reach those standards but will give it a go.

After a few practice kits, I though I would jump staright in at the deep end, I went and brought Trumpeters Me262 A-1 after a visit to the RAF museum. Its always been one of my favourite aircraft, made loads of the Airfix 1/72 as a kid. Now is the time to get serious and see if I can do this brilliant kit justice.

A couple of questions though. Does anyone know of a good colour colour conversion chart with various manufacturers paint codes. In particular I need a match for RLM02 for the cockpit. I brought Xtracrylics RLM02 with the kit but I have seen several references but they are all different! I have read here about different paint suppliers for the Luftwaffe, all with varying shades, but I would like to get it somewhere near right. Is there a definitve reference everyone uses?

Also, whats the best thing for balancing the nose now. I used to use Lead, but that seems so un-PC now so is there a good alternative.

Sorry to go on a bit, but your help would be great.

Cheers

Steve

Hi Steve!

Trumpeters Me-262 is a nice kit, but it is´nt the easiest kit to start with!

Actually, I´d recommend you to build another 1/32 kit to get the "hang of it" before tackling this one.
Good starting kits are; Hasegawa Bf-109G/K, P-47 Thunderbolt, Trumpeter F4F-3/4 Wildcat, SBD-1/2/3/5 Dauntless

But If you want to jump in the deep end first with a challeging build, please read these articles first;

My own build report;

https://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/forums/89133#736836

...and this excellent full build article by Fred Boucher;

https://aeroscale.kitmaker.net//features/911

Hope I haven´t scared you too much now!
Please remember we are here to help you If you need any assistance!


Good luck with your build and please post some pics of your model!

Cheers!

Stefan E

Hi Steve!

Forgot your questions, but I´ll try to answer what I can!




No, there´s not a definitive reference, and will never be I´m afraid!
I use enamels so I can´t tell anything about acrylic paints.
But this color conversion chart are good and covers most brands and shades;

http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/helpdesk.asp#color_charts




Un-PC or not, lead is still among the best material to use!
I use fishing weights, these comes in many different siezes and they are drop-shaped, perfect for most aircraft noses!

Cheers!

Stefan E

Hi Steve

as Stefan i would suggest a single engined aircraft for a start. If you want to stick to 1/32 I would also recommend the Hasegawa kits P-47, Bf 109 or Fw 190 (for price-performance ratio) If money does not matter maybe have a look at Tamiya kits.

As for colours ... I always recommend to have a look in some books (e.g. for Lw Merricks work or Ullmann) ... If you are scared because of the price .. have a visit at your library. If you have a feel for what a colour should look like you can choose your paint. Or you just believe the manufacturer.

If you want to buy domestic Xtracrylics or WEM (enamels) colours are good choices (but I do not have those ranges and cannot comment on special shades) ...

Also the site of IPMS Stockholm has a nice helpdesk for modellers with Urban Fredrikssons Colour Charts .. just have a look: IPMS Stockholm - Colour Chart (I havee just seen, that Stefan also recommended it, doh ... doppelt hält besser)

For schemes the site of "DON COLOR" aka Jens Popp is really nice Don Color

HTH for a start

best wishes

Steffen

All,

Thanks for your comments, after reading a the links and a few other build reports, I think this may present a challenge, but hey, thats the point isn't it ?

Those colour refs are really useful, it seems the stuff I brought is pretty close so I will go with that. I will post pics as and when any progress is made, but judging by what I have read, it may take a while.

Cheers for all the advice,

Steve

Hi All,

Well, after a break (literally) of 3 months due to a broken hand, I have finally made start on this kit. Cockpit and gun bays are now built and painted, and most of the fuselage interior is done. I went to take some photos to post only to find the battery in my camera is dead and all the shops are closed so I will take some tomorrow and put them up if I get time.

All the best

Steve

Here are the photo's..









Comments more that welcome, a couple of points though, the photos were taken in very bright light, I am a hopeless photograher, and the drybrush silver is much more subtle than the picures show, the ligfht makes it look very harsh.

Steve

Hi Steve

Good to hear your hand is in one whole again

Looks good so far. I have this kit in my stash as well and will follow your build with interest.

Thanks for sharing - looking forward to see more.