Paint by numbers lozenge

John Masters · 22 February 2005, 12:45 PM

I just recieved my Fok. DVII's from Revell and the decals include a paint-by-numbers lozenge setup. Upper, lower, etc, but all blank. Has anyone ever used these things? Paint seems almost too thick. I'm thinking that permanent markers might do the trick. Any input would be appreciated.

Into the wind---
John

22 February 2005, 04:00 PM

The 'paint by number' idea when it comes to lozenge is just that, a nice Idea. Now some say painting faces on 1/72 figures is fun (if you have a brush with one sable hair, and a 40-80x microscope... ) but personally, I'm still looking for pieces of 1/72 models that shot out from my tweezers that never have been found

.

The trouble with thinning the paint so it flows better is just that, that it gets thinner and runs the risk of not looking right. Another issue has to do with matching the colors (lozenge colors are an entire topic to themself...) While the Windsock Datafiles remain a premium color reference source, trying to find Munsell colors in markers..., well, I'm not sure the art industry is ready for that. It might be worth the trip to the art store just to see the hired helps look when you ask for Upper Albatros Dark Night Blue... Getting 'close' depends on how fussy you are. (I'm critical to a fault...) 'Golden' makes liquid acrylics that go on really easily and can be mixed with a retarder, flow release, and colors with each other... May not be practical if you only have one plane to do given the expense.

It's tough enough to get color books reprinted, second hand copies go for Hundreds of dollars if you can find them. Me thinks I might mix lozenge colors and sell them (sets of four or five...). I'm assuming your model isn't larger than 1/48, for larger sizes some very fine silk fabrics offer the ambitious a means of rubber roller stamping your hex grid and stamping your colors.

Lozenge is a labor of love that has No equal though...

StephenLawson · 22 February 2005, 07:37 PM

Eagle Strike Decals has a great lozenge. That would be my choice.

bobs_buckles · 22 February 2005, 10:41 PM

Hello all,

My next project is Flashback's Hansa W29 in 1/48.
I need some naval lozenge for it. Anyone know where I can get hold of any and by which maker?

If anyone has any knocking about doing nothing please let me know. Cash or Buckle trade waiting!

Cheers me Dears
Bob of Buckle Manor

John Masters · 22 February 2005, 11:24 PM

The thing is that I have no intention of using these Revell "lozenge". They are pretty much a tease and a joke. I have some lozenge from Pegasus (I think that's Eagle Strike) and a couple of others. These blank lozenge look kind of cool, though, with just the geometric outline...

JDC

NeilE · 23 February 2005, 02:22 AM

Hi John;

Pegasus/Blue Max Lozenge is a different brand to Eagle Strike but IMHO is just as good. Just don't use setting solutions on it - it doesn't like it!

Years ago, I did attempt to paint Revell's loz pattern - what fun! Actually it was very instructive as to the limitations of the various paint brands when it comes to loz colouration. You have to mix and without access to specialist information (such as is available here or through Windsock), it is a challenge to say the least... still at least its a better job than the freehand job Airfix stipulates on the Hannover......

Regards

Neil

Paul914 · 23 February 2005, 03:23 AM

Before I ever knew there were lozenge decals available, I used the lozenge pattern that came with the 1/48 scale K & B kits as a template. First I painted a primer coat, then taped the wing securely to the work surface with a layer of carbon paper between the pattern and the plane surface to be painted. Then I used a small tipped scribe to trace the pattern. Finally, with a very fine brush, I would hand paint the colors into the lozenge pattern. The neatness is naturally governed by how steady your hand is. I remember a Fokker DR1 top wing took me around 8 hours for each surface, but I am still pleased with the results. The only thing I would change would be using more accurate colors but at the time there was no internet and forums like this to have access to easy research! This technique would still have some merit if you wanted to freelance a color scheme.

StephenLawson · 23 February 2005, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDCMasters

The thing is that I have no intention of using these Revell "lozenge". They are pretty much a tease and a joke. I have some lozenge from Pegasus (I think that's Eagle Strike) and a couple of others. These blank lozenge look kind of cool, though, with just the geometric outline...JDC

Eagle Strike is definitely not Pegasus/ Blue Max. They are far better in accuracy than any other decals I have seen for lozenge. A close second would be Copper State Models sets but they are OOP. http://www.eaglestrikeproductions.com/cgi-bin/esp2.pl

John Masters · 23 February 2005, 11:58 AM

Thanks gents, once again. Stephen--I actually have both companies products although I got them mixed up. I have Pegasus lozenge and Eagle Strike rib tape. Why I do not have their lozenge, i do not know, but I have just rectified the situation and have 2 sets of upper/lower 4c and 2 sets of upper 5c now enroute. The lower 5c is not available, but there were birds that went without, if I remember my profiles correctly. And Neil---what happens to the Pegasus lozenge with setting solutions? How can I overcome this obstacle, or can I?
Cheers!
John

NeilE · 23 February 2005, 01:06 PM

Hi John;

In my experience the Pegasus loz just wrinkles up irretreviably with some setting solutions. However, given they are very fine thin decals, you just don't need setting solutions at all. They work just fine without it.

As for the accuracy of various manufacturers decals, they all make truth claims as to their accuracy as we have seen. Pegasus is no different and as I have seen no damming evidence that their product is wildly wrong and knowing the providence of their research, I am happy to assume their product is largely accurate, and as such am happy to continue using it. As for Eagle Strike's accuracy and usability, I make no comment as I have not used them.

If it can be proved that Pegasus lozenge are wildly inaccurate then I would be happy to use another company's products if these were better (As would any reasonable modeller).

Here are a couple of links containing Pegasus' truth claims vis a vis their lozenge decals...

Pegasus Lozenge Decals

and....

Lozenge Sample

Also please note I have no connection at all with Pegasus/Blue Max products apart from being a satisfied consumer.

Regards

Neil