Sword Models Curtis P40 Kittyhawk III - Part IV

Final step of the paint job started in previous post consisted of dark brown disruptive pattern painted freehand with Lifecolor Dark Earth UA092. It was finished just before my vacation (thus a month without any updates). Freehand airbrushing is a bit unnerving at first, but once I've relaxed a bit, it turned out to be quite fun. Having now tried it, I'm absolutely looking forward to doing it again.

Once I've got back from my trip, work on the Kittyhawk continued according to what is slowly becoming my standard operating procedure - once painting step is finished, it's time a coat of gloss varnish and then the decals. Sword provides one set of standard stencils and three different decal options. Considering the fact that there are two model kits in the box, it is a little "ungenerous". On the other hand, maybe the fact that there is only single set of stencil decals it doesn't matter all that much, since as it turns out, the small decals are extremly fragile and pretty much fall apart at slightest touch once wet. After having all three stencils intended for the propeller blades disintegrate before my eyes, I've had enough and didn't even bother with the rest of the stencil decals. Application of larger decals proceeded almost without incidents - only one decal tore apart in the middle. Fortunately I was able to join the halves back together and the tear is now almost impossible to spot.

Done with struggling with what was hopefully the final act of resistance from this frustrating model, I was glad to seal the decals with a final coat of gloss varnish and let it cure for two days. Now I am at the final stage - the weathering. As first step I applied a dark wash of water-solvable oils to all panel engravings. However, the engravings on this model are quite shallow and didn't absorb much of the pigment, so I decided to wipe it of the model and see if I wouldn't get better results with Flory Model's wash instead.

The 'wipe-off' of the oil wash became an impromptu weathering step in itself, as I decided to have some fun and see what effects I would be able to achieve by smearing it over the wings and lower parts of the fuselage. The end effect was quite interesting discoloration, especially on the blue-colored underside of the airplane. I liked it so much that I've decided to leave it there for now.

Upper surfaces covered with the 'goo' from Flory Models

Belly of the Kittyhawk after treatment with oils.