D.B. Andrus

Thanks, Tom! Request fulfilled.

I'm too shaky at the moment to do manually what can be done easily with a mask cutter. The work consists of some circles for Hinomarus and an aircraft number. Trades will work for me. Any takers? Cheers and Merry Christmas, Damian

The mottles are a good start point...now try going over them and pull the airbrush away to make them a bit larger - this will diffuse the edges some and make them a bit irregular in shape. I'd do this on your test sheet before applying to the model. Ernest has some excellent advice above. HTH Damian

Merry Christmas to you and yours, Ernest! Cheers, Damian

Ah, yes. You may know all of the following, not intended to offend. Here's my unsolicited basic advice on how I have some success with mottling technique. Try on a flat piece of scrap styrene. It's a lot about control of the flow and distance from the to be painted surface. Many Luftwaffe mottles used a variation of distance back and forth from the surface, movement away from the start point and a varied duration of the spray. Airbrush I use in an old (20+ years) Iwata HP-B with a .2 diameter nozzle. There is an add-on to limit fore and aft movement on the needle which may come standard on newer versions. Set the movement @ so it sprays about a 1/16" dot from around 1/4 to 3/16 inch away form the surface. Pressure at 10-15 lbs. depending on the airbrush and paint dilution. I use Mr. Color lacquers and dilute 1 part paint to 3 or 4 parts Mr. Self-Leveling Thinner. Have never tried with a water-based acrylic. I start with a dot of 1/16 on an inch and work out from there varying the above technique. A variation of slow for more defined paint edges and short quick movements for softer and misting areas. Period photos are your friend when learning the technique. Restorations, for the most part are not. HTH, Damian

Practicing the Luftwaffe mottle on a paint mule first will save you a lot of grief. HTH, Damian

Since this is a second prototype I've rationalized that it had grey-green painted flying surfaces.....actually it's more for visual interest than anything. AMS is on hold. Cheers, Damian

Just beautiful, Tom. Cheers, Damian

You got this, Bill. No worries. Cheers, Damian

Thank you, Ernest. Attempting to keep AMS at bay and enjoy the build. Am succeeding, yet little things like this start creeping in. My vow is to emerge victorious!! Cheers, Damian

To paint or not to paint(light green) that is the question. Tis nobler, etc., etc. My ailerons are painted green at this point, maybe I should leave them that way. What say you?

Exceptional work, Chuck! What an interesting kit. Cheers, Damian

Thanks, Mike! Having a good time with the kit. Cheers, Damian

Hey Tim Thanks for the info from the Aero Detail book.. Looks like aluminum dope it is. Cheers, Damian

Decided to go with IJA gray-green for the sake of visual interest. Thanks all for your responses! Cheers, Damian

Wonder if Radu was in on the design? Cheers, Damian

Happiest of Birthdays, Radu! May you have many more. Cheers, Damian

Well played, Ernest! Cheers, Damian

Couple of landing gear shots:

Hey Kevin Put me (S.O.W.) down to donate a set of Ho 229 1ManArmy Stencils. Would like to be a recipient, as well. Cheers, Damian

Same to you, William!! Cheers, Damian

Reports say pilot is okay. Cheers, Damian

+2

+1 especially detail brush painting with Model Air. Cheers, Damian

Hey John Take a look on ebay for ball bearings...they come in various sizes. Here are some 1 mm: 1 mm ball bearings Cheers, Damian