Fighter Pilot

I for one would love to see a new tool one of these, it would make a great wingman to the Kate.

Should'nt this be seperate "wish list" thread? Nah! I much prefer this method, keeps things neater and makes the forum less unwieldy.

Looks great mate.

The fact that Royal Navy aeroplanes were cleaned to a much higher standard is an oft stated misconception. A quick Google search will reveal hundreds of extremely grotty FAA aeroplanes in service both at sea and ashore. Usually there was no time for cleaning and polishing, it was a job just to get them serviceable for the next sortie! Discipline never came into it! The fact is there was usually little time for "husbandry" whilst deployed. The environment is very unforgiving and even modern FAA aircraft quickly deteriorate and they are meticulously looked after.

Dry brushing if done with extreme restraint can lift detail in a model but rarely as part of the weathering process.... As for preshading, it's an awful technique resulting in totally unrealistic models. It's wholly inappropriate And if I could find the bloke who first thought it was a good idea I'd steal his airbrush so he couldn't inflict the modelling world with it "Great looking models" is certainly in the eye of the beholder, Telford comp is certainly afflicted! As for me, I've never seen a great looking model which doesn't look realistic.

I'm not exactly sure how artistry over realism is "heavily encouraged at model shows"? This statement plus "and in any sort of modelling activity that involves competition" seems a bit of a sweeping generalisation, especially as once again you fail to supply evidence to back up your hypothesis.....!

This subject does the rounds on the forums a couple of times a year. If you make 1:72 kits, stand 72 feet away from the real thing and I guarantee you WILL be able to see panel lines, the statement that you can't is factually incorrect, they are NOT an artificial artefact. And anyway, how many times do you look at a model from 1 foot away, we all dive in for a closer look. Second. Even if you can't see them (and I will concede that at times, in certain light with certain airframes you won't see them), in my opinion a model with no panel lines will look bland and toy like. This is where the artistry of modelling starts coming into play. Third. Washes. If you want dark panel lines and you are pleased with the result then great, we only make models for our own enjoyment and satisfaction. Personally I "aim" for realism therefore I avoid stark contrasts with panel lines, I try and pick a complimentary tone to the finish. In places such as cockpits and wheel wells then I up the contrast as light levels are usually low, this is using the was to fool the eye with the intension of creating realism with false shadow. This point is coupled to panel lines in the second point I made. Bottom line, it's your model so it's up to you. But if you want to go for ultimate realism then you have to address canopy thickness, undercarriage door thickness, seam lines even paint thickness and visible brush strokes! For those who paint with a brush light coats building up the colour with polishing in between will result in a smooth finish without filling in the panel lines. Ultimately, know what you want your model to look like and aim for that finishing how you like.