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Cessna O-2A `Jade 07' The man meets the model.


ericg

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Onto the painting stage. I prefer the black base method for light coloured aircraft as it allows some depth and variation to the paintwork. It is one part of the process and gives the model a blank canvas upon which to work weathering processes on. As this particular aircraft was fairly new when it was in service, I will be keeping it fairly clean.

 

I used MRP black fine surface primer to give the model an all over black finish. This was sanded smooth with a fine grain sanding sponge.

 

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I then heavily mottled MR Paint Sky grey over the entire surface

 

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This was followed by light layers of paint to fade out the effect (and yes I am aware of the fingerprint!!)

 

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I stopped just before the final coat and highlighted the corners of the gear doors with white, which will just show through once finished.

 

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The final coat of grey. The black base effect is barely visible, and the lighting for the photo doesn't do it justice.

 

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The same effect was used on the white upper surface of the wing.

 

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Tamiya Nato Black was then used to paint the anti glare panel. I used a lightened shade of the base colour to highlight the corners of certain areas of each panel

 

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A highly thinned mix of the base colour was then applied over the top to blend the highlights.

 

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Thanks Andy.

 

I always wanted to try and get some Aussie markings on this model and set about creating some with my Mask cutter. I had a nice clear image of Snoopy holding a HVAR whilst riding a Kangaroo and I manipulated the image in the studio software to give me two small masks. This took a little bit of work as the mask cutter is approaching its limitations going so small. Snoopy and roo combined are 6mm tall. 

 

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The bare nose

 

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I applied the inside of the mask to check for fit and alignment. In the portrait photo of David standing in front of his O-2, the top of Snoopys head just overlaps the black anti glare panel.

 

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Red first

 

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I then removed the mask and sat Snoopy on the roo and sprayed him white

 

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Worked out great!

 

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I then made up masks for the prop warning arrows (the AOA decals are great but up the more I use the mask cutter the better)

 

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I also made the tail number.

 

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The tails of some Aussie flown O-2’s had a small stencil sprayed on them in the form of Snoopy standing on a roo, different in shape and style to the ones on the nose. I had a clear photo of these although from an oblique angle. Using the draw curve shape icon, I was able to direct the software to place points at strategic locations around the logo which then gave me the ability to edit each point. Each point has two small squares next to it which are able to be clicked and dragged to change the radius and length of the curve that passes through each point. This enabled me to refine the shape closer to the photo as presented on the screen ( rather than trying to trace it free hand). Once I was happy with the shape, I then stretched the shape along its horizontal axis and enlarged it lengthwise to correct it from its oblique state.

 

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The completed tail. The small Snoopy logo has worked out great.

 

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Whilst I was in the mood for masking, I thought I would use the machine to solve a problem Roden have moulded each HVAR integral with the front of its launcher, making them very hard to hand paint. I designed a small mask to make it much easier to spray.

 

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A screenshot of the masks that I made up for this model, not including the window masks that I made. If anyone ever tells me that the machine is too expensive I always ask them how many thousands of dollars of models they have stashed away that will never be built. For the price of two Wingnut Wings kits, you can have something that will be more useful to you each time you build a kit, in ways that you won’t even have thought about!

 

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Looking the part. I will defy non-conventional wisdom and give the model a clear coat before applying the stencils soon.

 

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Edited by ericg
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  • 4 weeks later...
  • 6 months later...

I was able to visit David this evening and show him the completed model and get him to sign the base that I made up for it. My son and I got to see a lot of memorabilia that David kept from his RAAF days, with Hayden even getting to wear his ARDU helmet, a huge privilege for my young man. I made a small spelling error (TAAS should be TASS) which I will fix soon.

 

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Just need an OV-10 to complete the collection.

 

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Edited by ericg
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Great model and great story.

 

What kind of machine you use to make those masks? Can you operate that kind of machine with, lets say not much more then moderate computerskills?

 

Rick

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Hi Rick,

 

It is a Silhouette Portrait mask cutter.

 

As long as you have someone show you a few basics with the design software, your moderate computer skills will quickly turn out awesome stuff.

 

Cheers,

 

Eric.

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3 hours ago, ericg said:

Hi Rick,

 

It is a Silhouette Portrait mask cutter.

 

As long as you have someone show you a few basics with the design software, your moderate computer skills will quickly turn out awesome stuff.

 

Cheers,

 

Eric.

Eric,

 

Thank you for the info, one quick question what kind of vinyl do you use to make the masks?

 

Rick

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