Hobbycraft 1/32 Spad X111 progress

[KiwiResin]

Im such a cheap arse that I figured I would have just as much fun with this old Hobbycraft kit as a Wingnut kit for 1/4 the price.
However AMS cut in, I cast a resin cockpit set for it, Toms Model Works belts, Gaspatches superb Vickers guns and rigging eyelets. Add the decals, and the cost of this little job has outrun the cost of a Wingnut kit anyway.



The fabric upper surfaces on these aircraft were doped with a mix of aluminium and pigment dope, giving a pearlescent sheen to them, I did this usung Gunze paint, and its come up quite well. However the metal panels were painted in colours that closely match the fabric areas, but without the pearl effect, so the reasonably complicated scheme has become a hideous masking job of epic proportions.

However Im getting there.

[WarrenD]

Well, it looks like you're coming along just fine. Did you mix Gunze aluminum or a similar metallic with the other paint to obtain your desired mix. I'm curious as to what colors you're using for the five color camo as well since I've got several Eduard SPAD XIII's in the stash.

Warren

[KiwiResin]

Hi Warren,
Firstly dont let the photographs fool you, the actual paint is more muted than it appears.

I based my mixes on Wingnuts recommendations for the Salmson, I figured that their research ability, and what they have access to far outstips mine, so I take their recommendations as gospel (usually!)

Paints are as follows:

Linen Gunze H85 sail colour
Sand Gunze H66 Sandy brown plus about 10% H8 Silver
Earth Gunze H72 Dark earth, silver as above
Light Green Gunze H303 green plus silver as above
Dark Green Gunze H 64 RLM71 Dark Green plus silver as above
 Black Gunze H 77 Tire Black, no silver addded.

Dont over do the silver, the fabric should be pearlescent, not mettalic, I mixed by eye until I got the look I wanted.

The painted metal panels use the above colours but with no silver added, The contrast is subtle and pleasing.

Dave

[petrov27]

That looks really great - nice to see one of these getting built!

Do you have any pics of the cockpit you cast up for it?

[KiwiResin]

here is the set painted prior to installation.



Its not a majorly big set, but it adds to the cockpit area

[Alexis]

Nice to see you working on a project Dave 





Terri

[IFF1418]

Hello Dave,

I like very much what you have done till now! Very well painted, the camo colors are great. Nice to see another SPAD in the make!

Kind regards
Patrick

[KiwiResin]

Nice to see you working on a project Dave 


Thanks Terry, I thought I had better build something soon, and the Spad has been on the shelf of doom for over 12 months.






Terri

[RAGIII]

Dave,
The SPAD is looking Stunning! How did you do the Early rounded wing tips?
RAGIII

[radio]

The Spad looks very great.
Martin

[WarrenD]

Hi Warren,
Firstly dont let the photographs fool you, the actual paint is more muted than it appears.

I based my mixes on Wingnuts recommendations for the Salmson, I figured that their research ability, and what they have access to far outstips mine, so I take their recommendations as gospel (usually!)

Paints are as follows:

Linen Gunze H85 sail colour
Sand Gunze H66 Sandy brown plus about 10% H8 Silver
Earth Gunze H72 Dark earth, silver as above
Light Green Gunze H303 green plus silver as above
Dark Green Gunze H 64 RLM71 Dark Green plus silver as above
 Black Gunze H 77 Tire Black, no silver addded.

Dont over do the silver, the fabric should be pearlescent, not mettalic, I mixed by eye until I got the look I wanted.

The painted metal panels use the above colours but with no silver added, The contrast is subtle and pleasing.

Dave

Thanks Dave! Somewhere in the man-cave I've got an electronic copy of Project Butterfly along with some paint samples based on the research, etc., so I understand what you're trying to do finish-wise. I was interested primarily in which Gunze paints you had chosen so I could use them as a basis for my own, but much smaller builds later.  You've set me up well sir, and thanks!

Warren

[ermeio]

Great model, Dave
What colour did you use for the Italian green under the wings? It is really the same green that I saw on the ansaldo balilla before it was restored.
Er me

[lcarroll]

Nicely done Dave, that's not an easy task given the original product but you are taking it to the limit! The paint contrast fabric to metal is a great addition.
Cheers,
Lance

[coyotemagic]

Extraordinary work, Dave!  The cockpit is a vast improvement over the original and your paint work is brilliant.  You've got a real show stopper in the works here, mate.
Cheers,
Bud

[Ernie]

Extraordinary work, Dave!  The cockpit is a vast improvement over the original and your paint work is brilliant.  You've got a real show stopper in the works here, mate.
Cheers,
Bud

Dave I completely agree with Bud.  You're building a jewel!

Cheers,
Ernie:)