TOPIC: Sabre for L2HP

Very interested in the discussion of a silver/aluminium finish, as the FD2 will be finished 'au naturel, and I, for one have been dissatisfied with the silver models I have made so far. One of the most realistic metallic finishes so far I have seen was on an Aerographics Su-7. I forget who the builder was, but he had achieved a range of effects, from silvery to dull/weathered aluminium with a basic sprayed silver car paint followed by rubbing in finely ground pencil lead. I think this was sealed in with a coat of satin varnish.





Does this ring a bell with anybody else?

Ivan Taylor's EE Lightning is also quite realistic
Ivan's Lightning

achieved with (I think) artist's acrylic silver and grey brushed on.

That's food for thought, I've been considering a silver Miles M52. The Vallerjo Airbrush chrome silver I used on the Swallow seemed okay but again does highlight ones talent limitations.

I have used aluminised mylar on a KK Mustang which highlighted every minute blemish but it slowly sagged with age and looks poor now, here it is in its prime. A thin overspray of whitish grey would probably have helped the appearance somewhat. (It flies very well btw). I have also intended to try the dull side of this material with more dope on next time to keep it taught but not tried it yet, I have an unfinished M52 too, hmmmm ......................................

This is just an excuse to post some pictures I took recently at Nüberg Luftwaffe base. JG74 now fly the Eurofighter Typhoon but back in the day they flew F86K (radar equipped Sabre), then the F104 Starfighter, then the F4 Phantom.

Yes, we've had a bit of snow. It was -11degs C the other evening.

That's very cool Terry, do you live near that airbase? I have seen some tentative modelair adverts appearing for old warden dates, hope to see you at some this year again?

Hi Daniel,

yes, I'm quite near Nüberg. A few weeks ago I was at Nörvenich which is another former F104 base. They have an F104 on a pole with the full monty wing tip tanks and stores. Might be too much to handle for free flight but I'll try and get a picture when I'm up there again.

Old Warden, indeed. Last September was the last time I was in the UK. I'll be doing my best to get to OW hopefully later this year. What a time this is!