Clifton

Later in the same thread, I saw a recommendation for a Vallejo light turquoise color: "Not that I cared too much when I built my 1/48 P-26, as for this I ended using Vallejo's 840 Light Turquoise, a paint that is maybe just a touch lighter than the sample shown above and a bit less grey." Also, I've just found a Testors gloss enamel car color, Turquoise, and the catalog number for that one is 2765.

Just found an old thread where Nick Millman analyzes the closest colors to Light Blue 23. "The closest FS value to Blue 23 is 15193 at 4.36 where < 2.0 = a close match. It has slightly less green and is lighter but would probably look acceptable on a model." Unfortunately, this seems to be a difficult color to find! The closest color I could find in Testors range is catalog number 203223, which they call Bright Blue. The FS number is 35183. Looking at Urban's Colour Reference Chart on the IPMS Stockholm website, they give Tamiya XF-08 Flat Blue as an equivalent. So it might be one would need to mix the color.

I think you're right--looks like True Blue replaced Light Blue 23 in 1938. I guess it depends which time frame you're modeling.

Thanks, that's exactly what I was hoping for! Any suggestions for decal sheets for squadron codes and serial numbers? And I think your suggestion to keep checking eBay is a good one.

And Testors makes a True Blue in their enamel range. Their catalog number for that is 203003. I seem to remember reading somewhere that 1920s and 1930s olive drab was fairly dark. I've seen Tamiya XF-62 olive drab recommended for this shade.

Tamiya spray TS-34 Camel Yellow is a very good match for US Orange Yellow. I plan to use it on my 1/72 US biplanes.

Hello, everyone! I've got a bit of a conundrum and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. I recently bought an old 1/72 Matchbox Handly Page Heyford kit off of Fleabay. The kit itself is in good condition, and it looks like all the parts are there. The main problem, as you might guess, is with the decals. They look like what I would have called potato crisps when I lived in England. I looked for an aftermarket set, but haven't had any luck. Then I thought I would try to buy the Revell rebox, use the decals in there, and build two kits. Well, these seem to be even more rare than the decals! Plenty of Matchbox kits pop up on an internet search, but I haven't been able to find any Revell kits. Any suggestions? My next plan would be to buy generic decals of roundels and code letters, but I'm not too sure which ones to look for. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Ooh, that would be nice!

Me too!

Thanks! I figured it was something like that. Have a great weekend, @Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies Clifton

Thanks for the reply, @Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies! I'll look forward to it. Are you allowed to name the dealer involved, or do you have to wait? Cheers!

Hi, @Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies Any way to get these in the States? I looked on the H&B Hobbies website, but didn't see them offered. Also, hope you recovered okay from last year's fire! Take care!

If it's from the LSFM, it might be Howard Hughes' A-20.

My guess would be a vent for exhaust gasses for the bottom gun.

I think with the gloss spray, just be patient and build it up in layers. That way you can control how much gets on there, instead of a hideous blob that dries too thickly!

Heavens to Betsy! A six-year-old thread! Nice photos, Viktor!

Ah, yes! Good advice, Tim. I forgot he was looking for a shinier finish. I think you're right about the Gloss Aluminum. I must say I've been impressed with the qualities of their spray paints. I agree you can never have too many Spitfire (or Seafire!) kits. One variant that I would love to see is the "Speed Spitfire." I think only one prototype was completed. It looks like an air racer with its aerodynamic canopy and sporty paint job.

If I were building the same model, I'd be tempted to use one of the Tamiya spray cans. I've been very impressed with how thin they go on, preserving detail underneath. I would probably start with their fine white primer, also in a spray can, then use their AS-12 Bare Metal silver spray. I'm pretty sure that's also the color they recommend for the underside of their new Spitfire Mk. I.

That's a great, great film. It won a few Oscars, if I remember correctly.

Yes, Testors does have most of the colors, in both enamels and acrylics. They used to make a non-specular (flat) sea blue, but it looks like that might be one of the colors that they've dropped in the past few years. (Like Desert Sand ANA 616--don't get me started on that one!) Here are the numbers for the enamels: Dark Sea Blue (FS15042) #1717 (Gloss) Intermediate Blue (FS35164) #1720 (Flat) Insignia White (FS37875) #1768 (Flat) The numbers for acrylics: Dark Sea Blue #4686 (Gloss) Intermediate Blue #4744 (Flat) Insignia White #4769 (Flat) I hope this helps, in case you have difficulty finding other paints. I wish Jamie good luck with the Colourcoats paints; I was just able to buy a few paints from the US distributor before Christmas and I can't wait to try them! BTW--I know that Tamiya includes paint numbers in their instructions referencing their paints, but I think the consensus is that their mixes are pretty inaccurate.

Great photos! Thanks for sharing! I like the random Santa in the hammock.

I'd love to see an early B-17 kit in 1/48, like a C or D.

Thanks for the link, Troy! I think Testors has discontinued this color; like many hobby companies, they've dropped a bunch of colors from their paint line. Luckily, I can follow Dave's suggestion above, adding a touch of white to RLM 76. I sure appreciate all of the help that y'all have given!

Thanks, Rabbit Leader. I know a lot of these colors open a can of worms, so to speak, and I think your advice not to worry too much about it is well taken! I'm of the opinion that if it looks right, then that's good enough for me. Thanks for the info about the Testors RAAF Sky Blue, Troy. I have also read that the color is close to RLM 76 (a color I already have), so I'll probably check that out first.

Hey, thanks for the replies, Crankycraftsman and Troy! Unfortunately I don't have an airbrush, which is why I'm trying to stick to Tamiya colors. I know Tamiya makes a several browns--and even red browns--but I'm not sure they're the right shade. If I were to try a different brand of paint, I would lean toward Testors, but I don't think they make the correct shade (as Troy mentions, close to FS30099). That's why I was hoping for a Tamiya mix anyone liked!