F117 paint question

[panzerrob]

Hi all,

 

I'm building an F117 and I'm wondering how to paint it black.

Are there ways to make a black aircraft more interesting looking, other than paint it plainly black?

Would painting it in different shades of Dark Gray, and then a black wash do the trick?

 

Any info is welcome!

 

Thanks in advance,

Rob

[thierry laurent]

Look at multiple pictures of the plane. You will see facets reflecting the light differently. This is what you can simulate with slighthly different hues. As the F117 was very well maintained doing color modulation should be very slight if not avoiden in single panels. You have to use some modulation between them. You can for instance with that approach: paint the bottom panels in black, the vertical panels in blue anthracite mixes and the top in a slighthly lighter tone. This should nonetheless stays very subtle. If you overdo, a cartoonish look will jump to the eyes. If you are afraid on doing mistakes, paint everything in black first and lighten the panels progressively. Check frequently the result to avoir going up to stark contrasts. The idea is that you should simulate lighting differences. The paneling effect should not be visible but just give life to a fully and essentially dull surface. The trick is to understand that you should see the 3d surfacing but not huge contrasts. Useless to say this asks for practice and experiments !

[Confusionreigns178]

Would very much agree with Thierry, above. There are several different shades to a Nighthawk's hide, but the differences are VERY subtle. The real trick will be making each panel look slightly different from the others. 

 

Chris. 

[Scotsman]

Or.....

 

 

Just saying......