gloss,satin,flat???

dottney · 24 March 2005, 07:31 PM

OK wizards here we go I need some advice. I've gone through and searched this forum about finishing with gloss, satin or flat and am still in a delemna.
The subject is my 1/6 scale (54") RC Albatros. I've posted pics of the build here before. I'm getting ready to go to a scale competition with it in May. In RC competition you're judged on a couple of flights and on the modelling.
Right now the plane's fabric areas are finished with a satin finish (waterbased polyurethane). I need to know if I should flatten this finish or is it prototypical having a satin to gloss finish on the fabric?
The fuse is varnished wood and I'm not worried about that area and the metal areas, they're on the satin to glossy side which seems to be right.
I know you get different effects depending on the size of the model. That's why I'm a bit confuse about the effect I should be striving for on a model this size. If anyone has some words of wisdom on what I should do I'd sure appreciate the help.
Dave

Familyman · 25 March 2005, 01:44 AM

Dottney

This is really a matter of taste. I think matte is not realistic - if realism is what you're looking for! - for ww1 a/c. The fabric parts were glossy while new. The gloss was wearing off when the planes were used. but not really that much. Satin varnish is a nice compromise and I use it always for my 1/48 models

But... I use it also because gloss simply does not look good - in my opinion - on a small model. I think quite a few ww1 modelers share this opinion. In 1/6 the situation might be different. I've seen some big R/C models of ww1 a/c gloss all over and they did not look bad to me!

Mikko

PeterL · 25 March 2005, 02:50 AM

I tend to agree with Mikko. Both gloss and matt do look unrealistic on a scale model, as do straight from the tin black or white, and I much prefer a satin finish. But, like Mikko, I build in smaller scales than you. Won't your satin finish weather naturally after a few flights?

dottney · 25 March 2005, 06:42 AM

Thanks guys. I'll probably leave it as it is right now. As far as weathering goes, it will be affected by UV but its electric so it won't get all slimey.
Again thanks,
Dave

David_Layton · 25 March 2005, 07:40 AM

I am glad to hear it is going to be electric. I have a 30" Albatros DII kit from Aerodrome RC to build.

In correspondence with the folks at Aerodrome, the electric motor spinning a large, scale or near scale diameter prop provides a more realistic flight model than having a gas engine spin an itty bitty prop at 30,000 rpm.

dottney · 25 March 2005, 07:52 AM

Yea Dave, this is the AerodromeRC 54" Albatros. I did the prototype kit and instruction photos for Kurt. I've also done is small Alb DII and Halberstadt DIII prototypes and insruction photos. I just finished his 72" Morane Saulnier L prototype but haven't been able to fly it because of the weather. You can find building threads with pics on all of these in the scale forum on Ezonemag.com. Just do a search for threads started by dottney.
Electric is the only way I fly now, having sold off all my wet powered planes and equipment.
Dave