such as the panels around and to
the rear of the exhausts, around
the wing root walkways, and
the wing-mounted gun bays.
Panel centres were highlighted
with lighter shades of the original
colours and further staining was
applied by brush, blending the
paint on the model’s surface using
brushes dampened with white
spirit. A similar washing technique
was used to paint the walkways and
tyres so that they retained hints
of the original RLM79 overspray.
I enjoy the challenge of painting
with a limited palette of colours,
and I knew that with a single
camouflage shade covering the
upper surfaces, I would be forced to
create some interesting weathering
to give the model character and life.
I had added a further restriction by
limiting my use of black to mixes
only and not allowing myself to
apply any directly to the airframe.
Adding such disciplines during the
painting process very often results
in a uniquely different model.
The white fuselage band and
underwing panels were applied
using an off-white enamel mix.MASKS AND MARKINGS
Once satisfied with the overall
weathered appearance of the
airframe. I applied several thin
coats of gloss varnish to protect the
paint so far applied. Having allowed
the varnish to dry overnight,
wet-sanding cloths were once
again used to level the surface
in preparation for the fuselage
codes, which were to be painted
on using the Montex masks.
Initially applying the
Balkenkreuz mask as a central
marker, I positioned those for
the fuselage codes and arrangedmore masking tape to protect the
fuselage from overspray. The codes
were then lightly applied using
a very dark brown enamel mix
to represent a faded black colour
(in keeping with my decision to
restrict the use of true black), while
the individual aircraft codes were
airbrushed in a dark red mix.
Decals were used for the national
insignia, but despite the Airfix sheet
being beautifully printed and in
perfect register, I chose to instead
use those from EagleCals sheet #143
(also secreted amongst my stash).
My reasoning behind this decision
was based on my past experience
with Airfix decals, which tend to
be thickly printed and annoyingly
resilient to softening solutions.
The EagleCal decals were, in
contrast, far thinner, glossy in
appearance, and reacted well to
Micro Sol softening agents. Next
to the muted codes the now starkly
black decals were somewhat
incongruous, so once they had
settled these too were masked,
this time using paper masks
held temporarily in place while
I oversprayed a light dusting of
sand brown. The Montex mask
national insignia outlines were
used to make the paper masks.
An assortment of EagleCaland Airfix decals were used for
the stencilling – the latter items
proving to be more finely printed
and therefore appearing far more in
scale than some of the former. Paper
masks were cut for these items too
and their colours muted in keeping
with the overall finish of the model.
Once the decals were
appropriately weathered, the
entire airframe received several
coats of Humbrol satin enamel
varnish, which I allowed to dry
thoroughly before being flatted
once again with sanding cloths.
This final sanding process would
eliminate any ridges created around
the fuselage codes as part of the
masking processes and around
the decals, in readiness for a final,
quick-drying coat of varnish.CONCLUSIONS
Airfix has obviously made a conscious
effort in recent years to improve the
quality of their products, to such an
extent that they compare favourably
with those from other leading model
manufacturers. Their sensible pricing
structure means that their kits remain
affordable enough to entice a new
generation of modellers to the hobby,
while the build quality and detail makes
them as enticing to those who, like me,
have been around the block a few times.
Unfortunately, the quality is
somewhat let down by the many sink
marks that literally crater the wheel spats
and areas of the fuselage and require
careful preparation prior to painting.
But on the whole, this kit has no
major problems and the completed
model looks every inch a Stuka.
I have no qualms in recommending it
to fans of the infamous dive bomber, no
matter what their skill level. My thanks go
to Airfix for supplying the build sample.WWW.SAMPUBLICATIONS.COM • AUGUST 2018 • 33
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