Next on the list were a couple of JU-87s. Nothing more iconic for German air support than some Stukas. I got a few of these early in the project, but set them aside for later. When looking at them, I was not happy with the color choices on the original Axis and Allies models. The greens were just way too far off. So, now that I am in the repaint part of the project, it was time to wrap these up.
I started by going over the underside with some RLM blue and then hit the upper surfaces with two different RLM greens (at least as close as I could find in my Vallejo paint collection). I painted black on the wheels, exhaust, guns and spinner. Once these were done, I did the panel lines on the control surfaces and the contrast blue on the canopy.
Then came the hard part, brightening up the blotchy yellow areas. I had struggled with this on previous models, so decided to just go back to basics this time to make my life easier. First, I wet brushed the areas with some white and then just painted the yellow over that after the white had dried. I then went back with some brown wash for the panel lines. That was much faster and what I should have done all along!
I hit the model with a semi gloss coat and then readied for the decals. My airplane project hit another speed bump, as I needed some additional decals to work on some German planes. I ordered them and they finally came in, so I could get back to work! I had actually painted around the underside and fuselage crosses, but could not do that for the upper wing ones (it may have been faster to just paint these out and use decals…). Now I realized that all my decal crosses were just too small, so I had to order the right ones. I did that and they finally arrived, so I applied them and some other markings to the fuselage.
I then added the magnets to the bottom. Another matt coat from Krylon (really satin) followed by hitting the glass areas with gloss coat and I finally have finished these planes. I think this covers me for early war air support!
- Manteuffel