Clifton

I seem to remember from one of those Squadron books on the P-40, that when Curtiss would crate P-40s for shipment, they would include roundel decals in the crate. I wonder if they simply ran out at one point?

DuPont colors, I’m thinking?

I honestly think they ship substandard kits to the States, and nicer kits to the EU. This happens in other industries too, where different countries get products of different quality levels. The automobile industry would be a good example of this. And you’re right, Heller makes some kits of uniquely French subjects that no one else makes, the same as Airfix with English subjects and Tamiya with Japanese subjects.

Wax on, wax off!

Gotcha! I guess we’re spoiled with the way a lot of new kits are engineered these days, especially if they have photo-etch and resin parts!

It’s quite a useful site!

It might be this website. Just scroll down a bit and click on whichever category you’re interested in under Military Colors and Camouflage: http://www.theworldwars.net/resources/

I hear what you’re saying, @Wez. To me, the Heller kits I’ve seen all have problems similar to those shown by the OP, to the point where I’m honestly surprised they’re still in business. I suspect that they might have sent lower-quality kits to the States, and sent better kits to Europe in general. I’m afraid I will have to disagree with you on the quality of Monogram kits produced during the 70s. They had a fantastic run of kits, especially their 1/48 aircraft. For the era, they were accurate, had decent detail, and best of all, were affordable to kids like me who saved up model money by throwing a paper route after school. I'm glad you’ve found Heller products that you enjoy building.

@gingerbob Sorry if I came across a bit strong there. I can see if you’ve found a good kit of theirs that you’d want to build it. Or if it’s an unusual subject that no one else produces. But the photos accompanying this post are exactly why I personally avoid their kits. Some people probably enjoy the challenge of making them better, but I’m not very good at that sort of thing.

Good! I found it interesting and useful. It’s hard enough trying to find accurate representations of wartime RAF colors. Trying to find the DuPont equivalents is even trickier. I certainly haven’t heard of any paint manufacturer claiming that they’re making DuPont colors, so I think we modelers are kind of on our own here.

This is why Heller has such a bad reputation here in the States. I’ve never built one of their kits, and I never will.

@Markh-75 Ah, it’s can of worms time! You might find this article about AVG colors interesting. http://www.ratomodeling.com/articles/AVG_cammo/

Thanks for all of the input! I’ve seen a couple of different paint stirrers and shakers on the internet, so I guess I’ll have a look at them and see what I can find.

Hi, everyone. I’ve just tried to use some Colourcoats Light Aircraft Grey on the underside of a Matchbox Jaguar, and I’m having some issues with it. Some areas have come out almost flat, and some are glossy. The glossy areas are also a bit sticky. Also, I’m having problems with the paint leveling—it basically isn’t. I should point out that I’m brush painting with it. I thought I stirred it and shook it enough, but maybe I need to do it more? Or does it need a little bit of thinner? I realize each paint is different, and I’m trying to figure this one out.

Thanks for the info, @825! I was eventually able to look at the IMPS Stockholm website and found a match with NIVO and a color used by the USAF on B-52 bombers. Testors makes the shade, which they call Dark Drab, and the irony is I already have a bottle of it! It's probably not an exact match--because IPMS is matching them by FS numbers--but hopefully it'll be close enough. I'll have to try painting a section of the model when I build it, to see how it looks. Clifton

@Toryu--hey, it's all good! It's just that I was getting confused, too! I also realized that Tamiya has different types of spray paint. I guess you're probably more familiar with their PS range, while my local model shop has the TS range as well as the AS (aircraft spray) range. I looked at the P-47 wheels I painted with XF-3 Yellow, and the color looks very close to TS-47, Chrome Yellow spray (which I sprayed on the Thunderbolt cowling). I think the Chrome Yellow aligns with ANA 505, Light Yellow. And, as you said, the Camel Yellow has a bit more orange in it, like the old Orange Yellow ANA 614. Sheesh! Thanks for being patient with me, @Toryu!

I wish you'd make up your mind. You said above that Camel Yellow is the USAAC color: "The best yellow for USAAC aircraft of the period is Tamiya PS-19 Camel Yellow." Of course, Tamiya doesn't make this any easier by neglecting to match their paint with any standard color system.

Tamiya also makes a chrome yellow spray can, which sounds more like the Navy color. The number for Chrome Yellow is TS-47. It looks good; I just used it on the cowling of a 1/48 P-47.

@JWM wow, that would be fantastic! I had another look at the set I have, and I just don't think I'll be able to make them work. @king of men--thanks for the heads-up. I'll have a look at their site to see what I can find. I must say, this is a wonderful forum! Thanks for all of the help, everyone!

I haven't had much luck finding their paint here in the States. Thanks for the info.

@modelldoc--that turned out great! Nice model! Do you remember what color you ended up using for the NIVO finish?

Thanks, will do, Mike!

It is a nice kit. The photos of completed kits that I've seen look really good!

I miss Polly Scale!

Thanks for the welcome and the info, Mike! Those are all excellent suggestions that I hadn't really thought about yet. From one Texan to another--I live in Houston, and it looks like you're from San Antone. My wife went to Trinity, so we love visiting the Alamo City!