Advice for black-painted F7F Tigercats

[echolmberg]

Hi guys!

 

So I'm approaching the painting stage for my 1/48 AMT F7F-3N Tigercat.  Every picture I've seen of these show them to be pretty well worn.  I can't even imagine these things coming off the production line with a glossy black paint job!  But that's my question:  Were they ever really a clean gloss black like a brand new P-61?  To me, the black-painted Tigercats always looked more like a chalky faded matte black as opposed to a glossy jet black.

Truth be told, a glossy black color would be easier for me to paint.  All-black planes seem a bit of a challenge for me to weather.  I'd love to hear any and all suggestions on how you all would tackle the kind of black pain job that were used on the night fighter Tigercats.

 

Thanks!

 

Eric  

[Geoff M]

There was an article on one of the sites where the gentleman did an SR-71.  He said when he paints a black aircraft he uses every color but black.  I will see if I can find that again.  His work shows he is right.  

[echolmberg]

Yes!  This is the reminder I needed.  I wonder if I read the same article years ago because I seem to recall reading where someone said something about how they paint it every color but black.  I'd love to find that article again or maybe even a video tutorial.  I wish I was as skilled with an airbrush as many people here are.

[Geoff M]

Here is the link to the article.

[echolmberg]

That's awesome!  Thank you, Geoff!!!

[eraucubsfan]

I think I read somewhere that the black Tigercats were painted in Theater right over the blue.  That's why you can see blue underneath the black peeling paint on many of them. 

[CRAZY IVAN5]

On 10/15/2024 at 6:21 AM, eraucubsfan said:

I think I read somewhere that the black Tigercats were painted in Theater right over the blue.  That's why you can see blue underneath the black peeling paint on many of them. 

I too read that somewhere dang if I can remember where now[ kind of makes sense to do it that way]