Mottle Camouflage for BF-109E-4/7 (North Africa)

[George]

Gents:  Can someone suggest a way to create the olive green (RLM 80) camouflage on a BF-109E-4/7?   I have a metal template but it is a pain to tape it.  I suppose I could place on top of Tamiya and cut patterns.  Thanks, G-Man

[Out2gtcha]

I thought about a lot of different ways to do that camo on my what-if 335. In the end, the best way it seemed to achieve the result desired, was to plot and plan the spacing, then set the airbrush on a fin/low PSI setting and do all the outlines first and then go back and fill the blotches in.

 

In my case, I used a bit if an unconventional way, by using some various sized stickers from the local Hobby Lobby to get the size and spacing correct prior to spraying the actual blotches.

 

 

 

After laying this down, I used a pencil to lightly trace the shape of each blotch so it was where I wanted it, and it fit well shape wise:

 

 

 

Then, I just started coloring the blotches in, outlines first, then filled them in one at a time.

 

 

 

There are a LOT of ways to do this camo, mine is a bit unconventional but worked well. Also, it really helps spraying a high quality paint. In my case I shoot exclusively MRP, and it lays down nothing short of a dream for me.

YMMV, and hope this helps in some way. 

 

[LSP_K2]

I've not actually done that many, but on the ones I have, I just freehand it. (I really wish that I'd finished this one.)

 

[Gazzas]

Freehand mottling is the best.  Once done painting, wet sand with some very fine micromesh (6k to 12K grit) held under your fingers.  Don't use a sanding block.  This will remove some of your over-spray and add some stress to the paint.  Be careful not to take off too much paint.  If you do, you can just touch it up with the airbrush.

[nmayhew]

hey George,

 

I think you will achieve best results by freehand airbrushing, with careful study of period photos

 

these are fairly well photographed aircraft so you should be able to piece together the whole airframe / have a reasonable idea

 

JG27 Black 8 Ready For Inspection pics here at LSP - by no means a definitive rendition, but hopefully gives you a feel for what's possible (MRP paints for the win )

 

cheers

 

Nick

[Pup7309]

Yes I did one freehand and was very happy with the results. It wasn’t exactly same as instructions. It’s never going to be perfect so just go for it. 

[mozart]

Freehand it for sure.  What's critical is the correct consistency of the paint (if like me you use MRP this isn't an issue) and the pressure on the airbrush, I used around 10 psi and a very light touch on the trigger:

 

 

 

 

[Francis]

BTW George, if I'm not mistaken, the E models in NA where painted in Italian colors.

 

[nmayhew]

10 hours ago, Francis said:

BTW George, if I'm not mistaken, the E models in NA where painted in Italian colors.

 

 

i'm not sure you will notice any difference once the aircraft is weathered appropriately - 

[Neo]

I personally take 2 expresso's then try to airbrush strait lines. Works magic! 

 

Also ive been using black basing technique allot lately and its an amazing trainer to motheling

 

 

Edited November 5, 2021 by Neo

[John Stambaugh]

On 10/19/2021 at 5:11 PM, Neo said:

I personally take 2 expresso's the. Try to airbrush strait lines. Works magic! 

 

Also ive been using black basing technique allot lately and its an amazing trainer to motheling

 

 

Now that's funny...but then again, that just might work!