Steve147

Hi all I've just started to build the Tamiya 1:48 Vought F4U-1a Corsair #61070. Among the list of suggested Tamiya paints are: AS-8 Navy Blue (US Navy); AS-19 Intermediate Blue (US Navy); and AS-20 Insignia White (US Navy). As I don't use spray cans for painting, I'm trying to find the equivalent paints as either acrylic or enamel. So far, I've come up with Tamiya XF-17 (Sea Blue), Tamiya XF-18 (Medium Blue) and Tamiya XF-2 (Flat White) respectively. AK do an Insignia White, AK1101(FS37875) -(a comparison chart gives Tamiya XF-2 as a 'suitable' alternative to this). Is there an actual comparison chart anywhere of Tamiya AS Paints to Acrylic/Enamel (for future use), or has anyone done their own comparison chart or can give me alternatives to AS-8 and AS-19? Thanks in advance.

Hi All Can someone tell me which manufacture paints they used for this model? I'll assume 'Black' is Flat Black, 'White' is Flat White and 'Yellow' is Flat Yellow? I'll use Revell acrylic Red Brown and Revell Enamel aluminum, though other suggestions will be accepted. Which leaves Japanese Army Green and Light Grey. Tamiya XF13 and Tamiya XF14 respectively? Thanks in advance

@dogsbody I spoke too soon. Yesterday, I just put the instrument panel decal on, completed the kit, and touched up the paintwork where necessary. This morning, I start to put the decals on, only to discover that Airfix had sent me decals to their 1/72 Wellington Mk II, and not the GR Mk VIII I had requested!!! So, rather than contact Airfix (would it be worth it, as I doubt a set of decals with one missing wouldn't be of any use if they asked me to return them), and probably wait another 6 weeks, I'll see how many MK.II decals I can match, via the instructions of the Mk II, to the MK VIII. I would expect that most of the common decals are the same, except for their numbering.

******UPDATE****** Well, the decals finally arrived today. I guess the moral is, "everything comes to those that wait", though well over 6 weeks in waiting does seem a bit much. In future, I'll double check that things like instructions and decals are in the box when buying second hand again, before purchase. Many thanks and Happy Easter.

Hi all I'm thinking about purchasing a Flyhawk 1/700 scale model of HMS Cambeltown. One of the suggested paints is Mountbatten Pink. The instructions give 3 options: 1. 8:1 Mr Hobby H61: Mr Hobby H84 (MrColor C35: MrColor C42); 2. 8:1 Tamiya XF-12:XF-9; and 3. WEM Colorcoats RN18 I don't have the MrHobby/MrColor or WEM Colorcoats paints but do have the Tamiya paints and also X-17 (Pink), which I assume is the incorrect shade, hence the mix. I am not a fan of mixing paints, as I tend to mix either too much, or, in most cases, not enough and then getting a slightly different shade when I do mix some more. I would rather buy the 'correct' color, than mix and waste paint unnecessarily. Suggestions? Advice? Thanks in advance.

@MODeller I bought two LifeColor paint sets for the IBG 1/700 scale boats a couple years ago. I tried to find the paints that these paints were equivalent to beforehand, but couldn't (despite posting on here), and ended up buying the sets. I've used the White, Black and Hull Red since, and recently the RN Medium Sea Grey on the Aoshima 1/700 HMS Hermes, but the rest are still in their boxes. I don't particular want to buy another couple of sets, just for them to sit on the shelf gathering dust as well (they're starting to thicken up also, so will need to be thinned). I'll use the two Revell colors you suggested. Many thanks

@TheKinksFan@MODellerMany thanks. I wasn't sure about where to post this, as technically, it is a 'paints' problem. No doubt had I posted in the "Aircraft WWII" section, someone would have suggested posting it here instead. Looking at other Dora Wings models I've previously built, paints in those were RAF Dark Earth and RAF Dark Green, so will use either the Humbrol or Revell earth and dark Green paints. This kit also did not show how to attach the instrument panel either and the undercarriage is also quite vague as well. Another thing is that the list of suggested paints are wrong as well! They have listed Clear Green and Burnt Iron as Tamiya XF25, and Signal Red and Engine Grey also, as Tamiya XF2. Finally, for reference, Section 12 (parts E4/E6) fit on the underside of the fuselage behind the wings, clearly shown in sections 28 & 29, but not shown how in the instructions. Once again many thanks for your responses.

Hi All (Still waiting for decals) So just started to build the above kit and sorting out which paint scheme to use. There are two suggested: 1. Republic P-43B Lancer, A56-6, 1 Photoreconnaissance Unit, RAAF Coomalite Creek, Northern Territory - Fuselage and tops of wings look like green (could be olive drab) and either brown or red brown, underside a grey (probably neutral grey - used for Lancer P-43A-1); and 2. Republic P-43C Lancer, 40-2897, converted as specialized photographic reconnaissance aircraft,1942 - Fuselage and tops of wings probably olive drab, with the underside neutral grey as well, with white engine cowling. I'm looking to paint scheme 1, so it would help if someone could tell me what 'brown' (if it is brown) it is. The list of required paints does not give any 'brown', nor does it show what paint to use where on the final build, it just shows where to put the decals! I checked the instructions on Scalemates (instruction pdf) and that had the same manual as I have. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

@Dave Swindell Thank you for replay. Those decals at Hannants cost about half the amount I paid for the kit!!!So I'm a bit reluctant to buy them. ***UPDATE*** After contacting Airfix again last Monday (26FEB), I got an email today with the following message: "Hello there, Thank you for your email, please allow me to apologise that you have not yet had a response from us. Your request has now been added to a picking list and will be picked and packed as soon as possible, I would imagine the parts will be with you within the next two weeks. Please allow me to apologise for this delay, caused by demand and a staffing issue. If the kit you have is outside of warranty, or you are requesting a part from a newer kit to replace a part from an older one, there may be a charge for the part you are requesting. If this is the case, we will get back to you with payment information. If we are unable to find the part, and have no stock we will endeavour to get in touch with you. If we have not contacted you again, and the part has not arrived within two weeks of this email, please get back in touch with us on this same email thread whereby we will look into your issue for you." I've completely built and painted the aircraft, albeit that I need to put the fuselage instrument panel on first (hence why I need the decals), before gluing the fuselage together, put the wings and a couple of other bits on as well, and then touching up the paintwork. Airfix don't have this particular model in stock (whether its been discontinued or not, they don't say). If it was in stock, I would have suggested that they get the decals from another kit and post them to me and sort replacing those at their own leisure! (or advertise the kit as 'without decals' at a discounted price). Thanks again.

I recently purchased this kit second hand. Unfortunately on opening the box, there were no instructions or decals. However, I managed to download the instructions from Scalemates. I then contacted Airfix to see if they could provide me with the decals. After a couple of days, I received a reply asking for my address and telephone number "to help speed up the enquiry". That was on 9th February. To date, I have had no further communication from them (I emailed them a couple of days ago, but nothing). If, for some reason, they cannot provide the decals, does anyone know where I can purchase decals for the kit? I do have a load of spare decals from other kits, so could probably find a few basic decals, but would prefer to have the whole set. Thanks in advance.

@Troy Smith Thankyou for pointing out the blue spinner on p15 of manual. Under room lighting when I posted the above reply, I was having difficulty reading the suggested color. However, the paint color suggested is MrH05/C05, not the GX05 as listed on p2. I will probably use the Revell Matt 56. As a side note, Paint4Models list RLM24 as Vallejo 965, Humbrol 25, and Tamiya XF08 as well as Revell 56. Also, as a separate listing, it is listed as RAL5013 (Lufthansa Blue RAL5013) with just Revell 32350 being the suggested paint. Once again, thank you and everyone else who responded to my question.

Thankyou for replies so far. Whether its GX5 or GX05 (eModels have it as GX05), I still don't have it and would like to know an equivalent paint. Also, the manual shows it to be optional, so I'll paint the oxygen supply unit black gray, unless someone can suggest a mix or equivalent paint. According to the manual, none of the suggested schemes show a 'blue' spinner, even though one of the schemes is Italian. (WNr. 330209, 3a Squadriglia, 1o Gruppo Caccia, Lonate Pozzolo, Italy, March 1945 - if I've copied it all correctly).

Hi All I am just about to start building an Eduard 1/48 scale model of a BF109K-4 (weekend edition). One of the suggested paints is MrColor GX05, Susie Blue'. That color is not on any of the 4 different suggested paint schemes, so assuming that it's for something internal. As I don't have it and don't want to buy it if it's only ever going to be used once (got enough of those already, lol), does anyone have a suggestion for a similar color in a different make (Humbrol, Revell, Tamiya, Vallejo, A-Mig, etc) or even a MrColor/Mr Hobby Cxxx/Hxxx that I could use instead? Having just had a quick look through the instructions, I cannot see where it is used at all (mind you my sight isn't as good as it was), but I guess it would still be useful to know for future use and to anyone else for that matter. Thanks in advance.

@Kingsman Many thanks. I'll probably use the 'schemes' as a guide, though most likely just a couple coats of Dunkelgelb.

@JackG Many thanks. I can only assume that there should have been an extra page showing the paint schemes.

Dear All I have just started to build this kit (just finished sections 1 & 2). I have now just noticed that although there are paint color suggestions, unlike other Dragon kits, there is no final paint scheme or where and which decals to fit either. I've looked at Scalemates and Dragon's own website, but to no avail. I have built similar Dragon Flak kits before, so unless someone has an actual page showing the paint schemes, will probably go by those (glad I kept the instructions). Going by the cover picture and list of suggested paints, it looks as though it's mainly Dark Yellow and Khaki Green for the main body and wheels, (flat black for tyres, steel for engine and tracks(?), etc.). Think this is the first kit I've ever bought that doesn't have a paint scheme!! Thanks in advance.

Dear All This is not about the actual build of the kit itself, though some of the instructions were a bit awkward to follow. This is about the supplied decal sheet (is there a section on this forum that actually generally deals with this subject? I have been unable to find it). The decal codes were either numeric, i.e. 1, 2, 3, etc., or as "s1, s2", etc. The problem was that these "s" decals were not all in one place on the decal sheet, nor as a separate sheet (as with other manufacturers). I think I spent more time looking for the actual decal than building the kit itself!! Also, the arrow showing where the decal was to be placed, was invariably the same, or similar, color to the actual aircraft paint color itself, making it difficult to see where the decal should be placed. Also, the decals on the sheet were quite close together, making it difficult to cut the decal away without damaging a decal in close proximity to it. Whether there is a right or wrong way of placing decals on kits, I do not know. In the case of aircraft, I tend to paint the underside and put the decals on first, then the fuselage sides, and finally the tops of the wings and fuselage. Why can't kit manufacturers make the decal sheets so that there is some sort of logical order in placing them on the kit, irrespective of any color scheme to be chosen?

I have the Dragon 1/35 Firefly 1c Welded Hull (#6568) on my wish list. Having had 'difficulty' with Dragon kits beforehand, will I have the same problem with the tracks for this kit as described above? From experience, the instructions for Dragon kits are not exactly easy to follow and it doesn't help when the kit number on the instructions, is not the same as on the box either (see a post from me some time back)!

@Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies Yes. Many thanks.

Dear all I remember building this kit as a kid way back in the 60's. Can't remember the kit manufacturer though. I've looked on Tamiya's website (they are only listing Japanese aircraft carriers) and Scalemates, to find out what paints are required, but no luck. Cannot find it on here either. If anyone has built this particular kit, could they let me know the required paints as printed in the instructions. Thanks in advance.

Hi All I have just found an old list of potential models to buy. On it are the following (1/35 scale): Zvezda #3689 T34/76 Mod 1943 Uralmarsh; and Tamiya #35059 T34/76 1943 Production Kit Is there any difference between the two actual tanks to the Tamiya T34/76 1942 production model #35049 that I've already built? If all I'm doing is buying the same tanks as the Tamiya I already have, and painting them differently (Zvezda looks as though it's painted for the Eastern front) with different decals, I shan't bother and save my pennies. Thanks in advance

For those of you who build ICM kits but wish to use a different make of paint rather than their own, ICM have a list of equivalents on their website. The list can be found here. Also, does anyone know if and when the paints4models website will be up and running?

*Update* Today I received an email from Revell stating that they will send me some replacement decals.

I am looking at building ICM's latest kit, 1/48 scale Bristol Beaufort Mk.IA with Tropical Filter # 48311. As with all ICM kits, they not only list their own paints for suggested colors, but also Revell & Tamiya. However, in the above kit, there are some paints not listed in Revell/Tamiya. These are the paints that are only listed as ICM: Oily Steel, Deep Brown, Dark Blue ( a mixture of 85% ICM 1077 + 15% ICM 1002), Sky Grey, and Deep Orange. (Chocolate chipping is listed as Tamiya D12) As equivalents are not listed for Tamiya/Revell, I can only assume that, in their infinite wisdom, ICM have decided that they are not close enough to what they think are the right color/shade (more likely trying to get you to buy their paints). If you have seen previous 'paint suggestion' posts from me, you will know that I do not exhibit my kits so not too bothered if the color is the right shade or not. I do not wish to buy yet another manufacturers paints, only for them to sit on the shelf, never, or hardly, to be used again. (I already have 2 sets of Life Color paints, which I purchased for IBG's 1/700 series of boats, sitting gathering dust), or just to paint one small item in, for example, the cockpit! So, my question is, could I use the following: Oily Steel - Humbrol 27003 (polished steel) or Mr Hobby #H76 (Burnt Iron), Deep Brown - Revell #84 (Leather), Dark Blue - Vallejo model #092 (Azure), Sky Grey - Tamiya XF66 (Light Grey), Deep Orange - Humbrol #18 (Orange gloss) or Revell #730 (Clear Orange); and Chocolate Chipping - Humbrol #98 (Chocolate). This would save me extra cost in purchasing paints, which I'll probably only use once. Thanks in advance.

@Graham Boak Thanks for that. Just had a look and it is quite useful. I've just checked the supplier I purchased the kit from (Antics) and on their website, they have listed the Tamiya paints associated with the kit (this is not my usual kit supplier, I only occasionally buy from them if they have the kit I want and it's cheaper than my usual supplier +pp. For the North Africa paint scheme, it does look as though XF-60 is the 'dark yellow' and XF-58 (Olive Green) the 'dark green' for the European campaign,. They've also included XF-59 Desert Yellow as well, though that's not shown in the instructions. Once again, thanks for the info.