HOW TO: Natural Metal Finishes

[Second Air Force]

Thanks, mates!

Once I was confident in being able to spray the new paints I made up my mind to start on a smaller subject than the Flying Wing. I'd always wanted a very early Mustang so decided to break out an old Accurate Miniatures P-51 and converted it to one of the first XP-51s. If I recall this was the ninth Mustang originally meant for the RAF but taken back by North American for USAAF tests. Not many changes to the kit really, just some minor details had to be accomplished. The main thing was to practice spraying the Vallejo NMF and I was very happy with the paints! I even masked the darker area of metal around the exhaust stacks without being very careful and the paint did not lift, something I'd never been able to do with Metalizer.

[No.1]

Rare and cute project 

[Second Air Force]

Once I had enough confidence in my ability to work with this new paint, I attacked the previously assembled XB-35. This is the largest surface area I have ever sprayed with an airbrush! I painted this in stages, first the undersides, then the driveshaft nacelle areas, finally the rest of the upper surface. My colors were shiny aluminum and dull aluminum with a few panels in magnesium, all from Vallejo. The leading edge of the wing where the engine cooling inlets are located were done with Metalizer.

[draken35]

Stunning work my friend

[No.1]

Lovely one!!!

[Second Air Force]

Thanks, friends!

I'm going to start a thread on the main page of all my miscellaneous builds that I've completed while my hip and knee were healing. I'll add some pictures of the Flying Wing there.