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F/A-18C Blue Angels blue--rattle can?


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What's the closest shade of blue, made by Tamiya , in rattle cans.

I have no airbrush and have a huge dislike for Testors only because

I have used their spray paints and they take years to completely dry.

In fact I have Testors BAB in my paint locker. Tamiya lacquers smell

to high heavens but dry in minutes. Also what's the best after market

1/72 Blue Angels F/A-18C decals.Thanks---John

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I once had the chance to talk to the BA paint guy, he said they use Krylon paints to do touch ups on the planes. I have a can of the blue he told my they use. I think its something like Navy Blue and Sunflower Yellow.

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Tamiya TS-15 Blue is what I'm using for the Phantom, Skyhawk, and Hornet. My pick for the yellow is TS-34 Camel Yellow although they do make TS-47 Chrome Yellow if you prefer. To me the blue looks spot on. Contrary to the reports, the Krylon color is far too bright. Krylon is also enamel. I don't usually like lacquer paints or gloss paints, but the Tamiya sprays are great. Warm them for 15 minutes before spraying, and do so over either Tamiya white primer or a base coat of Tamiya flat white. They lay down a smooth, glossy finish that dries in about 24 hours. I actually do recommend the Tamiya sprays.

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Thanks Chriss that's what I thought, I don't warm paints here in Fl.

They are already VERY warm. I also have a can of camel yellow in my paint locker,

lucky me! Like the white primer idea.---John

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Yes, in FL there's no need to warm the paint any more! If you go to the gallery and look on page 2 of the A-4 Skyhawk builds at Drew Thompson's,  you can get an idea of how it comes out. His BA Skyhawk is where I originally got the idea to try the Tamiya sprays. 

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As long as they are NOT Academy decals I might consider them. I have

had no luck at all with Academy decals. If I do buy Academy the first thing

I do is toss their decals and buy aftermarket.---John

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I’ve posted on this subject recently but more toward 1/48. I recently visited the Blues. Their new commander, Eric Doyle is a friend of mine. When I went to their change of command, one of the crew chiefs said their colors are manufactured by dupont. To me, a critcal modeler, the blue is kind of fungible; it looks so different in various lighting conditions. Me, I like testor’s true blue and their BA yellow. One thing I can say is Krylon True Blue will blind you it’s so bright. I’m not sure what Tam colors come close: dont blame you for using  them because they are so wonderful.

Ive been happy with CAM’s  BA decals as the yellow looks good and you can brush touch it with testors BA yellow and it looks good. 

Good luck with your project. I would love to see the results!

 

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3 hours ago, john53 said:

As long as they are NOT Academy decals I might consider them. I have

had no luck at all with Academy decals. If I do buy Academy the first thing

I do is toss their decals and buy aftermarket.---John

That’s why you look for the release that says cartograph on the box...their hornet in 1/72 is a good kit.

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1 hour ago, fulcrum1 said:

That’s why you look for the release that says cartograph on the box...their hornet in 1/72 is a good kit.

Yup, got that right! I don't do a lot of Academy anyways. But their 1/72  F/A-18C is the best out there.

BillS I will check out the color tomorrow at the air show, hoping no rain!---John

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Yup, TS-15 is the closest rattle can I've seen. Almost picture perfect!

Another question, no red edges on the gear doors, from what I saw and

the gear doors are blue inside and out, correct? Pic from Sunday.I believe

this is a B model?---John

sHWdPqw.jpg

Edited by john53
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I’ve got pics I can send you of all the details if you need them. These were done at the “after party” during the change of command last november. Suprisingly the struts, wheels and gear wells were grimey and the gear wells were discolored white. Gear doors are blue inside. They have grit walkways painted blue. There are little yellow alignment markings for the pilot to  to line himself up with the ladder on getting out. Look closely  for their location on top of the strakes,

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Thanks Bill, I can PM you my e mail if you can send pics that way. Let me

know. I want to do my F/A-18 as a C model they are currently using but

I think most kit decals are for A model. The only difference I believe would

be the Bu # , don't think the paint scheme changed from A to C. Will be real

interesting when they start using the "Super Hornets".---John

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  • 2 weeks later...

Just curious, when are they switching to the new or newer F/A-18E and Fs?

Also I heard they are going to make more F/A-18E and F block III ? Are they

opening up production again? Exporting any?---John

Edited by john53
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19 hours ago, john53 said:

Just curious, when are they switching to the new or newer F/A-18E and Fs?

Also I heard they are going to make more F/A-18E and F block III ? Are they

opening up production again? Exporting any?---John

The transition to the Super Hornet has been pushed back a couple of years. 

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