Need help on weathering!

[Devilleader501]

Hey everyone I would like some opinions on this before I clear coat it. Is it too much, Over done, tacky looking? Pictures don't really come out right because of the lighting I have. I would really like some opinions before it's sealed forever. Thanks JOSH

[thegoodsgt]

For my taste, yes, it's a bit too much. That said, I think it's a good exercise for you to have gone through to see just how far you can take your weathering.

I suggest you leave it as it is and use it as a point of reference as you weather models in the future.

Steven Brown

Scale Model Soup

[phantom]

For a CAG in gloss white and grey yes, for a TPS bird no its just right. It does look good but a little too much good. I speak Engwish welly.

[Devilleader501]

I guess this is unfortunate. The wings are already sealed. Hmmmm good pointers I will remember for next time.

I wanted it to look well used I guess I succeeded. Never thought about the CAG scheme always being clean though. Thanks guys.

[scapilot]

Not to say that CAG birds go to the wash rack more than any other plane on the line, it's just that they're often done up in high gloss paint which repels dirt and grime far better than other low vis schemes. So unless it's been sitting in a boneyard for a few years, it's unlikely to see one this weathered while being in service. As was stated, at least you know what your limits are now. Just curious, what did you use to create the drip effect down the side, and the yellow fluid streak aft of the leading edges on the wing??

[Devilleader501]

Well to be honest with everyone this is the first time I have ever tried to weather like this. The other 2 times before was just a dark sludge wash all over wipe off and done. This time I tried a couple new ideas and it worked really well but I think I should have saved it for a different aircraft.

The streaks running down the aircraft are done with pencil lead. I rubbed a pencil over sand paper to make a pile of lead then used a small brush and rubbed it where I wanted it. After I was happy with it I rubbed it down with a dry t-shirt to get it to lighten up. Kind of like an artist does with shading when using nothing but pencils.

The Hydro stains were done with straight Raw Sienna acrylic paint mixed with equal amounts of hand soap. I used a flat bristle brush and ran it in the direction that the aircraft flies in order to get this affect. The stuff comes off really well even on flat paint. If you end up with too much paint on the bird I just take a q-tip dipped in water and roll out the excess water to make it damp, then I roll the q-tip over the stain till it lightens up to my liking.

After I'm done I seal it with Krylon Matte finish straight from the rattle can. That stuff sprays like a dream. I tried to spray it from my airbrush and had horrible results. Hope this helps. JOSH

[phantom]

Don't worry about the wings being sealed. I love the rust and grime on those, just the body that is a wee bit overdone.

[dmk0210]

Is this a wartime bird? For an aircraft flying daily missions on Yankee station, it may not be too far off.

Even if not wartime, it could be caught in the middle of heavy wargames.

[bikerider]

I think the weathering effects look very good ... artistically. Maybe a bit too much, and whether or not it's realistic I can't say 100%. But for what you did, it looks to me you did it well.

[balls47]

Hey Josh, Other than the heavy weathering on a CAG bird, it looks great! thegoodsgt gave you a great idea about leaving your model as is and using it as a reference. Another option would be to take a lot of photos for your future reference. Going this route would allow you to try and de-weather your model. This would allow you to do something with your model rather than leaving it like it is. As a worse case scenario, you could strip the whole thing and start over, and do it like you want to. Whatever you decide to do with your F-8, this will be a great learning experience for you and every one who reads this topic. Good Luck, Josh!!!

[huntermountain]

I love the weathering!!!

I never saw one of those birds, so I wouldn't know if it's accurate, but who cares, it looks like the real thing.

So I'd say, unless your hobby room is constantly overrun by people who were around these planes, don't worry about it.

[I.Illes]

It looks mighty fine! And honestly: if you have a problem with it not being accurate, during the really busy campaigns, they sometimes looked like this and if you are not convinced, fade the paintjob a bit and make it an abandoned AMARC-bird. Looks great to me!

[Crazy Snap Captain]

I love heavy weathering. It looks like its been a busy little bird.

[spejic]

Is this a wartime bird? For an aircraft flying daily missions on Yankee station, it may not be too far off.

I agree with this - it looks a lot like pictures of aircraft that have been flying over Vietnam for a while. I think your type of weathering (ignoring quantity of weathering) is spot on - it has that "caught in a dirty rain storm" look that airplanes with that paint scheme had.

[GEH737]

I personally think it's too heavy. My experience on the flightline has brought me to the "Chaos Theory of Model Weathering" - no two aircraft look alike (once they leave the factory) - and the weathering is random. Way too many modelers make everything symmetrical with regards to weathering - spoiling the realistic finish they're trying to achieve.

It's also my belief that too little is a far better alternative than too much.

[dmthamade]

It does look good, but a little overdone for a CAG bird. But it does look good.

Does that make sense, what i just typed?

Don (tired and confused at the moment)

[Wayfarer 30]

For what it is worth, Your weathering looks pretty good and i hope to achieve your level of skill.

Thanks for sharing!

[Budman]

For my taste, It is a little too much, but many thanks for sharing your technique. If you think it is too much, you can easily lighten up on your next bird.

[Phantom ordie]

On small carriers like the "Tike" washdown at sea was almost impossible because of water retrictions. After 6 or 8 months at sea there were some pretty scrounge looking A/C. I think the heavy weathering is authentic.

[niart17]

I think the only thing that's a little distracting for me isn't so much that it's too heavy, it's just too consistantly heavy. The panel lines have consistent amount of grime around them and are all about the same heaviness. Real plane's surfaces weather differently depending on what's underneath the panel(oil, hydraulics etc...)as well as how it sits on the ground and in the air. Also, the areas between the panel might be a bit too un-weathered as well. I think it's all about contrast. What looks odd about heavy panel lines is often that there is too much contrast between the line and the panel, not necessarily the panel being too heavy. Also, a bird that weathered would probably have been touched up quite a bit so the grey area would be more spotty probably. So having said that, it may not be weathered enough(think tone variations and pushing the markings back a little) Keep in mind that is a VERY minor and extremely picky view. I think it's very well done and looks great so go with what you like.

Bill

Edited September 11, 2012 by niart17

[Devilleader501]

Thanks you for the comments everyone.