Halberstadt CL.II, Mirage 1/48; 20.3.2021 Parabellum - THE END

[acewwi]

Frank, just follow the WNW's instructions and you will have almost perfect result.

An example


sorry for the abuse in your post
Spyros

[gbrivio]

Excellent work on your engine, Frank. About "splatter" painting, your test shot looks already good to me but maybe suggested technique for 1/32nd scale gives  a grainy finish with acryls. Did you consider try with inks or thinned artist's oils?
Good luck!

Giuseppe

[Borsos]

Frank, just do it. That looks awesome. I think you nailed it.
Andreas

[Bughunter]

Ok my friends, it looks like I should go with the airbrush solution.

The decals are not as bad as it may look like on the sheet. Found yesterday some builds with using the decals and it looks ok. The decals sheet is very thin and clear, so the "dots" are showing the paint below. So the final result depends on the used color shade below the decal.

Did you consider try with inks or thinned artist's oils?

Yes Giuseppe, but I was afraid that the clear colors or inks would not cover enough of the background.
Here is a nice example in detail from aviationgraphic.com, which looks like the existing Cl.II in the museum in Poland.


It would be very nice, if I can reach a result like this, what a beauty:

Source: https://www.aviationgraphic.com/aviation-lithographs/1124-halberstadt-clii-5-bh-36.html

I think you nailed it.

Andreas, I checked also your build

Cheers,
Frank

[lone modeller]

Looking at the photos of your test piece, I think that you should follow through with that method Frank. Trying to achieve a realistic finish on a model is immensly difficult, and the effect of the result is invariably in the eye of the observer. Without wishing to start a pointless argument, I think that there will always be space for modellers to (sincerely) disagree when it comes to colours on models. If you think that the result is close enough, that is what matters.

Stephen.

[kensar]

I would go with the paint and avoid complete coverage with decals.

[Monty]

Pretty difficult to say which technique looks best (or will look best) to my eye... But this thread is turning into a very useful research and how-to practical experience! I am following with rapt attention - and admiration too! Marc.

[Bughunter]

Thank you Stephen, Ken and Marc!

Linen paint

After I tried to paint the fuselage with five-color lozenge patches I don't like the result and removed the paint. Luckily the white primer has survived the attack with alcohol.

So I tried something different, to paint the lower surface of the wings. I used the recommended paint by WingnutWings, 10 parts with with a part deck tan. The result was the same, to much paint and I don't like result. Removed.

Luckily the alcohol removed the upper layer but left the shadows nearly intact. Shadowing by accident.



Painted again with the lovely MRP linen paints. I think this is ok now now and I let it as it is.



The upper side is also prepared with shadows for the decals.



I prepared 5-color lozenge pieces, normally used on lower surface, for the upper side.
And added hopefully enough Future to the wings, as I learned on my Dr.I that enough was not enough.



I wanted to apply the decals but learned in this forum to better wait at least 24 hours, so some patience is needed

Cheers,
Frank

[Alexis]

Moving forward nicely Frank with preparing the wings .

There is a trick with Tamiya paints for that transparent look . Mix the paint in their clear and thin 40 / 60 . test spray adjust thinner if need . ( use their lacquer thinner ) . This will also provide a better surface for clear coating for decals . Taking less clear coats  You can also tint future with Tamiya paint as well , but don't thin !


Alexis

[RAGIII]

The end result on your under wing surfaces looks Terrific Frank! The Lozenge should also look Great when applied!
RAGIII

[lone modeller]

Those wings are looking good Frank. Will the underwing lozenge on the upper surface be too light? Not sure - just a question.

Stephen.

[Bughunter]

Thank you for the paint tips Alexis!

The Lozenge should also look Great when applied!

Hopefully I selected this time a full sheet from my stash with a 45° connection between the stripes. I hope to reduce effort and waste, instead of using the in-scale singe stripes, which I used in other projects.

Will the underwing lozenge on the upper surface be too light? Not sure - just a question.

Stephen, that was one of the reasons to select this marking. The Halberstadt Cl.IV and many late Cl.II has the usual lozenge applied, dark on top and the brighter one below. I know only some early Cl.II with bright linen on lower surface and the bright lozenge on top. In the Ronny Bar profile it looks even a bit more white, bleached, faded. I like that look, may be I put a light layer paint on it.
I don't know, why this was done. I could be a communication problem? May be the factory was told to use lozenge, but at first (and only) the brighter variant arrived, so they simply used it? May be some experts know ... And that is the only type I know with the bright lozenge on top.

Andreas/Borsos has build the "neighbor" with the tactical number 4 on it, same lozenge style, in the Memorial Group Build:
https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=10173.msg200629#msg200629

By the way, what is the correct type? Cl.II or CL.II ? So uppercase or lowercase "L" ? I have seen both in books, WNW used lowercase. May be I should check some Idflieg documents.
Edit: Found some pictures of type plates on aircraft (the manufacturer should know) in WD27:
"Militär-Flugzeug CL.II xxxx/17" xxxx for serial, and
"Halberstädter Flugzeug Werk G.m.b.H.
Halberstadt Typ HalbC.L.II No. xxxx"

Cheers,
Frank

[Gisbod]

Frank,

I’ve just noticed your valve springs.. looking at my 1/48 engine - I can barely see the valves, let alone the springs!

Guy

[PrzemoL]

I have just looked into this build after some time. What a spectacle. Detailing, painting... Great that you decided to continue with your fantastic reports, Frank.

[Bughunter]

Thank you Guy and PrzemoL!

looking at my 1/48 engine - I can barely see the valves, let alone the springs!

If you haven't added any springs, you won't be able to see them!

What a spectacle.

I'm doing the rib tapes now. And Aviattic wrote in the manual sheet: "Spectacular but very time consuming!" - Sooo true!

Great that you decided to continue with your fantastic reports, Frank.

Such fantastic feedback is the fuel for motivation and keep it running!

Cheers,
Frank