F-14 Panel line wash question

[cobrien6]

I'm working on a 1/48 Hasegawa F-14A. Anticipated markings will be for VF-1 from Desert Storm (per the pic). If I'm not mistaken the overall paint scheme will be in Light Gull Gray. I've been doing several F-14's over the last few years and by and large they've all been in Ghost Grays during which I've had no problem using a "blackish" wash to enhance the panel lines and detail. Will this be too extreme for a Gull Gray scheme? If so, what color/paint wash recommendations are there to still enhance the detail but not create overkill? Thanks for the assist!!!

[jinmmydel]

This is why I swear by the Ammo of Mig Panel Line Washes. Complimentary colors are almost always best in lieu of brown or black. Also, the panel line washes just perform beautifully. This set has 3 grey tones in it that will work well in this instance, and on other jets.

http://www.ammomigjimenez-usa.com/aircraft-weathering-sets/192-us-navy-grey-jets.html

[Darren Roberts]

Gull Gray usually held up pretty well. Here's an underside shot. It's more corrosion control touch-ups than panel lines. I'd go with a lighter gray just to give a hint. For Monogram builds with raised lines, I've oversprayed the entire model with Tamiya Smoke and then gone back with the base color to give tonal variation.

http://www.seaforces.org/usnair/VF/Fighter-Squadron-1-Dateien/image027.jpg

[Slartibartfast]

Did the whale survive?

[thegoodsgt]

To avoid any unpleasant surprises, I'd recommend trying two or three different washes on a spare model. You may be surprised at what's most effective.

Steven Brown

Scale Model Soup

[gb_madcat_sl]

For me, I would either go with a dark grey or dark brown wash.

Mark

[Janissary]

I have struggled with wash colors as well. Dark colors look too strong and toyish. I would suggest using oils to create a mixture that is as close as possible to the gloss gull gray color you have. Then, use just a tiny bit of black to very slightly darken it. I think subtle color differences work much better than stark ones.

Here is my attempt on a 1/72 TPS Tomcat: http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=268923&view=findpost&p=2614737

Now looking back, I'd say that attempt too is too dark. I would shoot for something closer to the main TPS colors.