RADIO CONTROL SCALE
Stan Alexander 3709 Valley Ridge Dr., Nashville, TN 37211 E-mail: [email protected]
Last month I took up the subject of color with regard to scale static judging in competition as well as scale modeling in general. I listed sources of color chips for different eras of aircraft and included the universally accepted Federal Standard 595B book from the United States Department of Specifications Section.
Now you know some of the sources through which you can obtain color chips, so what do you do with them? If you are building a model for sport flying, it isn't so important to document the correct color. But if you decide later to try competition, which happens more often than not, color will be part of your static score.
Page 166, section 4.3 in the AMA Competition Regulations tells competitors what is required for color documentation. To be eligible for Finish, Color, and Markings points, some proof of the color scheme used on the model is required. This can be:
- Photo or photos.
- Some other pictorial representation, such as a magazine or other published color painting or drawing.
- A detailed written description of the color scheme and/or markings from a reliable source.
- Notes and diagrams of markings on black-and-white three-view. ("Profile" and similar types of color paintings in three-view form can be used for both proof of Accuracy of Outline and Finish, Color, and Markings.)
Finish, Color, and Markings are 30% of the total static score. In many cases, rules state the minimum required to compete — they don’t tell you what you should do to win. Having accurate color chips that match the paint and paint scheme you intend to use on your model can be crucial.
Using the IPMS Color Cross-Reference Guide to cross-reference the color chips from the Federal Standard 595B book can be invaluable when matching colors of lesser-known air forces or particular aircraft. Many modelers obtain a match by taking the color chip(s) to a professional paint shop such as DuPont, Porter, or automotive paint and body centers. You are more likely to have the chips matched there than at big-box warehouse stores.
In most winning documentation notebooks you will find paint chips and the statement: "Judges please use the paint chips for color documentation. Use the color photos for color placement only." That is a good idea from a contestant's point of view. Some modelers swear by black-and-white photos while others rely on color photos only. Most of us can no longer find black-and-white photos, and using only color photos can cause confusion in the judging process. I’ve included photos of a few documentation sets from the European Scale Championships to show what other modelers are doing with color documentation; this might give you an idea and help your static scores.
After matching the paint and the chip, paint a sample on the same material and with the same primer and covering (fiberglass, cloth, polyester, balsa, etc.) you will use. If all works well from this point, you should be ready to start painting your scale airplane. If not, work on the color mix and your particular type of paint to make it lighter, darker, more or less glossy, or flatter. Be aware that the surface color of the material, whether it’s balsa, fiberglass, or primer, affects the model’s final color. If you use darker primers with light paint colors such as white, red, orange, or yellow, the shade will probably be inaccurate. Use a light-colored or white primer coat before painting these colors.
Some manufacturers’ and suppliers’ paints are already matched to the Federal Standard 595B book or to the Randolph color chart. One such company is Nelson Hobby Specialties, 394 SW 211th Ave., Aloha, OR 97006; Tel.: (877) 263-5766; Web site: www.nelsonhobby.com.
Nelson has a full line of paints produced by System Three Resins Inc. They are polyurethane and two-part epoxy systems that can be thinned or reduced with water. The paints include military and civilian colors such as Olive Drab, Dove Grey, Sapphire Blue, Royal Blue, Dark Gull Grey, and Sand. They are matched to the Federal FS numbering system, which is very helpful.
Some paint manufacturers have filled the huge hole left when K&B quit producing its two-part epoxy paints several years ago, including the Stits finishing system. I’ll include more paint manufacturers with my report on the Toledo show next month.
Announcements
- The 2006 FAI Scale World Championships will be held in Sweden. The U.S. FAI team selection for this event is scheduled for the summer of 2005. A team of three competitors will represent the USA, and AMA will select teams for F4B (CL Scale) and F4C (RC Scale). I will provide more information as soon as I get it.
- Indoor RC Scale competition at this year’s Scale National Championships will take place June 25 at the Horizon Convention Center in Muncie, Indiana. Events will begin after static judging for all official and unofficial classes has been completed. Sport Scale, Fun Scale, and an open fun-fly will be conducted. AMA and the National Association of Scale Aeromodellers will host the competition, with event director Mike Gretz at the helm again. It’s a great time and just plane fun to watch.
Bookshelf
Focke Wulf FW 190, vol. 1 by Krzysztof Janowicz is published by Kagero Publishers. This volume is packed with 97 pages of information about the famous German World War II fighter and includes color side plates, exploded views, and 23 pages of scale drawings. The book features Polish and English text and is a wealth of information about the Fw 190 program.
Data and documentation are included from the beginning of the Focke-Wulf 190 program, with the V1 model through the A-8 and F-8 versions. This book doesn’t include the later long-nose D-9 series. Decals in 1/72 and 1/48 scale are included that match the artwork on the card-stock front cover.
Look for this publication and others like it at Squadron Mail Order, 1115 Crowley Dr., Carrollton, TX 75011; Tel.: (972) 242-8663; Web site: www.squadron.com.
New Product
A new arrival on the retail scene for scale modelers is Klass Kote epoxy paint systems. Klass Kote is a series of two-part epoxy coatings available in a variety of colors, primers, and clear coats. This system is somewhat like the old K&B paints, but without the lead. It is resistant to many fuels, including nitromethane.
Check out the product line at Diversified Solutions, 5932 Chicago Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55417; Tel.: (612) 243-1234; or at www.klasskote.com.
Next month we will take a trip to the 2004 Toledo Expo. This was the show’s 50th anniversary. Scale goodies were everywhere, and in a sea of ARFs there were even a few new scale kits!
Fair skies and tailwinds. MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
