Introduction
to Scale
Painting Techniques
Any visible item that you detail on your model aircraft will draw attention.
The first thing most builders will detail is the cockpit.
At minimum a
pilot is added. The next item is an instrument panel and from there
anything up to a
full cockpit.
While this is always impressive it is also a lot of work and can only be
seen by a viewer standing next to the model.
Exterior details, such as wheels, can add a lot of character to your model for a lot less work
and are far more visible. Unfortunately the current scale wheel
pickings are extremely slim, but some are close enough for sport scale
purposes.
Out of the package all wheels look like plastic toys. Most guys paint
the hubs a solid color if they paint the hubs at all. If you take the
extra time to address the details your work will really stand out.
For
this article I am painting Williams Brothers 6-5/8" Vintage (WWI) Wheels
to go on an
SR Batteries Fokker Eindecker.
The wheels are intended to represent full-scale wheels having spoked rims covered with canvas. The canvas
covers were to improve aerodynamics and keep mud out of the spokes.
Visible
lacing through grommets in the perimeter of the canvas attach the canvas to
the hub. Williams Brothers nicely details these items.
My intent with these wheels is to make them more realistic. In the end
they should look used, but not abused. They will leave the plastic toy
look far behind.
In this series
Part 1 —
Introduction
Part 2 — Preparing the Wheels
for Paint
Part 3 — Masking
the Wheels
Part 4 — Painting the Wheels
Part 5 — Blending and
Shading with Washes
Part 6 — Dry-Brushing to
Create Highlights
Also see
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