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    <title>Hypermediocrity</title>
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    <description>Some of my stuff</description>
    <copyright>2026 Paolo Marcucci</copyright>
    <lastBuildDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 23:33:22 -0400</lastBuildDate>
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      <title>Fiat Barchetta</title>
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      <title>Avro Lancaster B Mk III (Special) – AJ-T, No. 617 Squadron, Operation Chastise</title>
      <description>## Aircraft Overview

**Type**: Avro Lancaster B Mk III (Special)  
**Squadron**: No. 617 Squadron, Royal Air Force  
**Code**: AJ-T  
**Pilot**: Flight Lieutenant Joseph Charles McCarthy (Royal Canadian Air Force)  
**Operation**: Chastise (Dambusters Raid)  
**Base**: RAF Scampton, England  
**Date**: 16–17 May 1943  
**Role**: Precision low-level bombing of German dams using “Upkeep” bouncing bomb

---

## Mission Profile – Operation Chastise

| Phase         | Objective                         | Altitude     | Notes                                                  |
|---------------|-----------------------------------|--------------|--------------------------------------------------------|
| Outbound      | Penetrate German airspace         | Low-level    | Avoid radar and flak detection                         |
| Target Run    | Attack Sorpe Dam                  | Very low     | AJ-I assigned to Sorpe, which required a direct drop   |
| Return        | Navigate back to England          | Low-level    | Avoid night fighters and flak                          |

---

## Loadout Configuration

| Component              | Description                                      |
|------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|
| Bomb                   | 1x “Upkeep” bouncing bomb                        |
| Defensive Armament     | .303 Browning machine guns (nose, tail, dorsal) |
| Modifications          | Bomb bay adapted for Upkeep, altimeter removed  |
| Crew                   | 7 (pilot, navigator, bomb aimer, flight engineer, wireless operator, mid-upper gunner, rear gunner) |

---

## Historical Anecdotes

### The Canadian Dambuster
Flt Lt Joseph McCarthy, though American-born, flew with the Royal Canadian Air Force. His aircraft AJ-I was assigned to attack the **Sorpe Dam**, which required a different approach than the Möhne and Eder—**a direct drop rather than a skip** due to its earthen construction.

### AJ-I’s Attack Run
McCarthy’s crew made **ten separate bombing runs** over the Sorpe Dam before releasing their Upkeep bomb. Despite the difficulty, their attack caused structural damage, though the dam was not breached.

### The Human Cost
Operation Chastise was a tactical success but came at a high cost: **eight aircraft lost**, **53 aircrew killed**, and **1,600 civilians**, including many forced laborers, perished in the flooding.

### Legacy of AJ-I
Though AJ-I did not breach its target, its persistence and precision under fire exemplified the bravery of 617 Squadron. McCarthy survived the war and became a symbol of Allied cooperation and courage.</description>
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      <title>Panavia Tornado GR Mk.1</title>
      <description># Panavia Tornado GR.1 – ZA492 "FE" / BS108

**Unit**: No. 16 Squadron, Royal Air Force  
**Serial**: ZA492  
**Squadron Code**: "FE"  
**Tail Code**: BS108  
**Operation**: Granby (Gulf War)  
**Base**: RAF Muharraq, Bahrain  
**Year**: 1991  
**Role**: Low-level interdiction, runway denial, medium-altitude precision strike

## Mission Profiles

| Phase             | Mission Type                   | Altitude     | Objective                                      |
|------------------|--------------------------------|--------------|------------------------------------------------|
| Initial Phase     | Runway Denial (JP233)          | Low-level    | Crater Iraqi airfields, prevent aircraft takeoff |
| Mid Campaign      | Conventional Bombing           | Medium-level | Strike infrastructure, ammo depots, command centers |
| Late Campaign     | Precision Strike (LGB)         | Medium-level | Target bunkers, hardened shelters, bridges |
| SEAD Support      | ALARM Deployment               | Medium-level | Suppress enemy radar and SAM sites         |

## Loadout Configurations

| Mission Type           | Typical Loadout                                      |
|------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|
| Runway Denial          | 1x JP233 dispenser, 2x drop tanks, BOZ-107 ECM pod   |
| Conventional Bombing   | 5x 1,000 lb bombs, 2x drop tanks, BOZ-107 ECM pod    |
| Precision Strike       | 2x Paveway II LGBs, 1x TIALD pod, 2x drop tanks      |
| SEAD                   | 2x ALARM missiles, 2x drop tanks, BOZ-107 ECM pod    |

## Historical Anecdotes

### Night One: The Most Daring Mission
On the opening night of Operation Desert Storm, RAF Tornado GR.1s—including aircraft from No. 16 Squadron—executed low-level attacks using the JP233 runway denial system. These missions were flown at tree-top height, under heavy anti-aircraft fire, to crater Iraqi airfields and scatter anti-personnel bomblets.

### Tactical Shift: From Low to Medium Altitude
After suffering losses, the RAF revised its tactics. Crews transitioned to medium-altitude bombing, using 1,000 lb dumb bombs and later Paveway II laser-guided bombs. Buccaneer S.2Bs equipped with Pave Spike pods flew alongside Tornados to designate targets.

### Muharraq’s Wave
RAF Muharraq in Bahrain became the primary base for Tornado GR.1 operations. Aircraft like ZA492 launched from this desert outpost, often flying night missions deep into Iraqi territory.

### ALARM & SEAD Missions
Tornados also deployed ALARM missiles for Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD). These missiles could loiter and dive onto active radar emitters, allowing Tornados to clear paths for strike packages.

### Legacy of ZA492
ZA492 was part of a fleet that showcased the Tornado’s adaptability—from low-level brute force to high-altitude precision. Its role in Operation Granby helped cement the Tornado GR.1’s reputation as a formidable strike platform.</description>
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      <title>Supermarine Spitfire Mk.I</title>
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      <title>Aeronautica Macchi C.205V "Veltro" Serie III</title>
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      <title>Messerschmitt Bf109 F-4/Trop</title>
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      <title>Messerschmitt Bf109 G-2/Trop</title>
      <description>This machine was found and documented by the Allies when Sciacca fell, part of a late-production block built towards the end of 1942, this G-2/Trop exhibits a fixed tail wheel with faired wheel well and rubber dust cover introduced on the G-3/4. This feature has not heen recorded as part of late-production G-2 but has resulted in various authors categorizing this plane as a G-4/Ttrop. The plane was used for training 23 May-1 July, 1943. MG 151/20 cannons missing in R6 gun pods. 
</description>
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      <title>Messerschmitt Bf109 G-14</title>
      <description>Bf.109G-14, 5a Squadriglia, 2o Gruppo Caccia, Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana, Osoppo (Italy), March 1945</description>
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      <title>Lancia 037 Corsa Evoluzione</title>
      <description>The Lancia Rally (Tipo 151, also known as the Lancia Rally 037, Lancia 037 or Lancia-Abarth #037 from its Abarth project code SE037) was a mid-engine sports car and rally car built by Lancia in the early 1980s to compete in the FIA Group B World Rally Championship. Driven by Markku Alén, Attilio Bettega, and Walter Röhrl, the car won Lancia the manufacturers' world championship in the 1983 season. It was the last rear-wheel drive car to win the WRC.

_-from [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lancia_Rally_037)_</description>
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      <title>Luftwaffe colors in WWII</title>
      <description>_All the information here is taken from [emmasplanes](https://emmasplanes.com/index.php/paints/rlm-colors/), where a lot more info can be found_

## 1936-1938 Early three colour splinter scheme

The introduction of standardized colours in 1936 also saw the introduction of the first camouflage pattern, intended for land based bombers. It was comprised of RLM 61,62 and 63 in a three tone splinter scheme over a RLM 65 underside. The scheme was first used on the new Junkers Ju 86 bombers, and the Dornier Do 17 bombers soon afterwards. The scheme was used officially until mid 1936 for dive bombers, and September 1938 for other aircraft, although application on reconnaissance aircraft remain unclear. The camouflage is most famously used on Dornier Do 17 and Henschel Hs 123 aircraft during the Spanish civil war, but was used well into the Polish and French campaigns.

## 1937-1944 Early two tone green splinter scheme

In February 1937 a new camouflage was introduced with the introduction of the Messerschmitt Bf 109B. It consisted of two green tints in a splinter pattern with a blue underside, the same as the earlier style. While the border may appear as a hard edge, they blended into each other with a 5 cm overlay. The pattern became standard on all new fighters, heavy fighters, bombers, low to medium altitude reconnaissance and ground attack aircraft.

## 1938-1944 Maritime scheme

In november 1938 a new scheme was introduced for naval aircraft, with the issuing of the L. Dv. 521/1. It was very simular to the RLM 70/71 pattern, with the underside also RLM 65 for day operations and RLM 22 black for night fighters. This scheme was found on naval reconnaissance aircraft such as the Do 24, Fw 200, Ju 290 and Bv 138, seaplanes such as the Ar 196 and He 115 and torpedo bombers such as some variants of the He 111 and Ju 88.

## 1940-1945 Night camouflage

### Fighters

In the beginnin, night fighters would use regular camouflage schemes, as this would allow them to be used as day fighters if neccessary. When the dangers of the RAF bombing raids became apparent in June 1940, a dedicated night fighter scheme was adopted. This scheme was overall RLM 22 black and was in use untill 1942, when it was replaced with RLM 74/75/76, with RLM 76 occasionally being replaced by RLM 02. In early 1944 the night fighter scheme was simplified to RLM 75 over 76, with mottles or streaks of 76 on the upper surface. The lower starboard wing was to be painted in RLM 22, this however wasn’t always followed with a number of He 219’s being painted fully black on the bottom and on the sides.

### Bombers

Bombers used in night operation were in July 1940 ordered to apply a black camouflage on their lower surfaces.

## 1944-1945 Late war splinter Scheme

In August of 1943, a notice was sent out announcing the future introduction of RLM 81 and 82, which were to replace RLM 70 and 71. This was made official by a Sammelmitteling in July 1944, around the time losses on the ground started to exeed losses in the air. Existing stock of RLM 70 and 71 were to be used up and replaced by RLM 81 and 82. If necessary, RLM 70 was to be mixed with 82, and RLM 71 with 81 (further increasing the amount of late war green shades). A month later, RLM 65 was to be replaced by RLM 76. A likely reason for this change was that RLM 70 and 71 contained chromium and RLM 65 contained Cobalt, bot necessary for the production of high-grade metals. RLM 81 / RLM 82 over RLM 76

## 1941-1944 Tropical Camouflage

Luftwaffe units started to be deployed in North Africa somewhere between late January and March 1941. At the time, no suitable camouflage colours for the sandy, Saharan desert were available. The first mention of the tropical scheme comes from an inspection document to a depot in Erling, Germany, which describes the three lacquers. Curiously, only colour chips for RLM 78 and 79 were added to the L.DV. 521/1 of 1941. Somewhere after November 1941, RLM 78 was changed to a slightly lighter shade, while RLM 79 was changed to a darker, browner shade. RLM 80 wasn’t always used, especially on later fighters such as Bf 109’s and Fw 190’s. Ever after the retreat from Africa, the colour scheme was still used to some extend in Italy until 1944 and the eastern front after units were send there.

## 1935-1945 RLM 05 Elfenbein

RLM 05 was one of the earliest colours specified by the RLM, but was also scrapped before 1936 for military use. As such, it doesn’t appear on any contemporary colour charts. Even the L.Dv. 521/2, which specifies glider paints, doesn’t contain this colour, as the specification only handles markings and registration codes. The colour however remained in use until the end of the war on some experimental and research aircraft, and on gliders of the NSKF (Nationalsozialistisches Fliegerkorps, a German paramilitary organisation). RLM 02 was used for cockpits. The switch to RLM 66 wasn’t made as the contrast when vieuwed from above was deemed to much.

| RLM Code | Vallejo Model Air | Tamiya | Notes |
|---    |--- |---  |--- |
| RLM01    | :paint=AV 71.062: | | | 
| RLM02    | :paint=AV 71.044: | |Extensively used as cockpit colour before 1943. Interior colour; wheel wells, engine compartment, ect. Overall colour of prototype, trainer and liaison aircraft. Early camouflage upper side. Sometimes used as a replacement for RLM 76 in the late war night fighter camouflage scheme |
| RLM04    | :paint=AV 71.078: | | |
| RLM05    | :paint=AV 71.106: | | |
| RLM21    | :paint=AV 71.001: | | |
| RLM22    | :paint=AV 71.057: | | |
| RLM23    | :paint=AV 71.003: | | |
| RLM24    | :paint=AV 71.266: | | |
| RLM25    | :paint=AV 71.267: | | |
| RLM26    | :paint=AV 71.105: | | |
| RLM27    | :paint=AV 71.033: | | |
| RLM28    |  (Weinrot - RAL 1003) | | |
| RLM42    | :paint=AV 71.123: | | |
| RLM61    | :paint=AV 71.042: | |Pre war camouflage scheme, spanish civil war |
| RLM62    | :paint=AV 71.104: | |Pre war camouflage scheme, spanish civil war |
| RLM63    | :paint=AV 71.260: | |Pre war camouflage scheme, spanish civil war |
| RLM65    | :paint=AV 71.255: | |General undersurface for all aircraft, after 1941 no longer for fighters |
| RLM66    | :paint=AV 71.055: | |Instrument panel colour from 1938 onward, together with a RLM 02 finish of other internal surfaces. Instrument panel colour from 1938 onward, together with a RLM 02 finish of other internal surfaces. |
| RLM70    | :paint=AV 71.021: | |Bomber camouflage, early fighters. Propeller blades |
| RLM71    | :paint=AV 71.015: | |Bomber camouflage until august 1944 |
| RLM72    | :paint=AV 71.124: | |Post november 1941 splinter scheme for naval aircraft (reconnaissance, torpedo bombers, float planes) |
| RLM73    | :paint=AV 71.256: | |Post november 1941 splinter scheme for naval aircraft (reconnaissance, torpedo bombers, float planes) |
| RLM74    | :paint=AV 71.258: | |Top camouflage on fighter airfcraft from nov 1941 to august 1944 |
| RLM75    | :paint=AV 71.259: | |Top camouflage on fighter airfcraft from nov 1941 to august 1944 |
| RLM76    | :paint=AV 71.257: | |Bottom side on fighter aircraft from nov 1941 |
| RLM77    | (Hellgrau) | |Identification markings (Balkenkreuz, ID codes) on dark backgrounds such as RLM-22 on night bombers |
| RLM78    | :paint=AV 71.101: | |Underside of the tropical scheme |
| RLM79    | :paint=AV 71.278: | |Basis upper surface colour in the Mediterranean scheme (1941-1942) |
| RLM80    | :paint=AV 71.139: | |Optional upper surface details (lines, blotches) of the Mediterranean scheme (1941-1944) |
| RLM81    | :paint=AV 71.264: | | |
| RLM82    | :paint=AV 71.022: | | |
| RLM83    | :paint=AV 71.011: | | |
| RLM84    | :paint=AV 71.103: | | |
| RLM99    | :paint=AV 71.126: | | |</description>
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      <title>Messerschmitt Bf109 E-7/Trop</title>
      <description>Bf.109E-7/Trop W.Nr. unknown, Tirana (Albania), April 1941</description>
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      <title>Dornier Do.217 J-1 Caccia Notturno</title>
      <description>Twelve Do 217 J-1 and J-2 variants were acquired by Italian Regia Aeronautica between September 1942 and June 1943 for night fighter operations. One Italian unit was equipped: 235a Squadriglia of 60° Gruppo (41° Stormo). Based at Treviso San Giuseppe, then at Lonate Pozzolo, the unit performed poorly. The unit shot down only one enemy aircraft, and lost one of their own, after nearly a year of activity.</description>
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      <title>Dornier Do.217 N-1 Caccia Notturno (what if)</title>
      <description>_Note: This is a "what if" model, as the Regia Aeronautica never received N1s from the Luftwaffe, only J1/2_

Twelve Do 217 J-1 and J-2 variants were acquired by Italian Regia Aeronautica between September 1942 and June 1943 for night fighter operations. One Italian unit was equipped: 235a Squadriglia of 60° Gruppo (41° Stormo). Based at Treviso San Giuseppe, then at Lonate Pozzolo, the unit performed poorly. The unit shot down only one enemy aircraft, and lost one of their own, after nearly a year of activity.

* Coded 235-4 (red) with white German crosses under the wings only and no Italian markings at all, except for the white recognition stripe. Its colour scheme is over-all Matt Black with Black-Grey (RLM 66?) on the exhaust shrouds and spinners plus RLM 74 engine covers on the cowlings
* No coding, Verde Oliva Scuro all over, matt black under the wings (?), black fasci on the wings, no Stemma Sabaudo on the cross
* Coded 235-8 (blue), flown by Capt Ammannato, based in Venegono, Italy, 1943

### History

The Reich Ministry of Aviation, which at the beginning of 1942 promised to supply the Italian Air Force as soon as possible with enough Do 217Js to arm a fully night fighter group, began to struggle with the slow delivery of fully equipped Do 217J-1s. On August 15, 1942, not a single Dornier had yet reached Italy. An Italian commission arrived in Germany to speed up deliveries to its air force. The Commission was given the opportunity to test the Do 217J-2 and had favorable impressions of its capabilities, although it was somewhat embarrassed, as recorded in a subsequent report, by the "complexity" of the aircraft. In fact, only two Do 217J-1s could be immediately dispatched to the Italians. They were handed over to the Italian Air Force on September 10, 1942 and immediately drew a protest from the Italian ambassador, who said that these second-hand aircraft were "defective and lacking the promised radar." However, on October 21, 1942, two Do 217J-1s were handed over to 235 Squadron (Group 60, 41 Division) at Treviso San Giuseppe. Two additional Do 217J-1s were delivered to this unit towards the end of the year, when, in addition to the four Dorniers, the squadron used three Bf 110s, one Fiat CR 42CN and one captured Bristol Beaufighter. In early February 1943, two more Do 217J-1s plus one equipped with a Do 217J-2 radar were flown to Italy by a group of Italian pilots who were trained on night fighters at NJG3. They were followed by five more Do 217J-2s. 235 Squadron was assigned to patrol a very large area covering Liguria, Piedmont, Lombardy and Emilia. Although several victories were recorded, the number of aircraft was too small to provide anything other than the appearance of cover. The Dornier's suitability for service was poor, mainly due to a lack of spare parts. Radars "Liechtenstein" constantly junk due to inadequate training of service personnel. There were also problems with the Do 217 chassis. The unit, as a rule, could exhibit no more than 50% of its composition. For example, on July 31, 1943, in the 235th squadron of 11 Do 217 fighters (one was decommissioned as a result of an accident after a chassis failure), three were under repair, and three were not operational due to a lack of spare parts.
</description>
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      <title>Dardo Infantry Fighting Vehicle</title>
      <description>The Dardo is an infantry fighting vehicle designed for the Italian Army as a replacement for the M113 APC. It is designed and built by the Iveco Fiat Oto Melara Syndicated Company based in Rome. Iveco is responsible for the hull and propulsion systems, while Oto Melara is responsible for the weapons and fire control systems.

The Dardo IFVs currently in service with the Italian Army are fitted with the "Hitfist" IFV turret. The chassis is intended to be the basic model of a family of vehicles, which may include a 120 mm mortar carrier, command (C3I) vehicle, ambulance and light tank with a 105mm gun turret.</description>
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      <link>/kits/0375/</link>
      <title>FIAT CR.42 "Falco" CN</title>
      <description>Based on the earlier FIAT CR.32, which obtained remarkable results during the Spanish War, the CR.42 was made entirely of metal and had a A.47 engine capable of 840hp. 200 aircrafts denominated "Falco" were ordered immediately by the Regia Aeronautica and were used during the initial phases of WWII. It was also very successful, commercially speaking, and was exported to Sweden, Belgium, and Hungary.</description>
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      <title>My 2024 in modelling</title>
      <description>
### Museum of Flight displays and shows

__Cold War Soviet Jet Warplanes Everywhere, Museum of Flight, Seattle WA, Feb 1 2024-Jun 6 2024 (Scott Kruize)__

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| :thumb=0182: | :thumb=0382: |

__IPMS Seattle 2024 Spring Show, Community Center, Renton WA, Apr 27 2024-Apr 27 2024 (IPMS Seattle)__

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<div class="5cols">

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|---|---|---|---|---|
| :thumb=0459: | :thumb=0416: | :thumb=0153:<br/>3rd place in category | :thumb=0209: | :thumb=0428: |

</div>

__Air Racing 1909 – 1950: Wings of Thunder, Museum of Flight, Seattle WA, Jun 15 2024-Oct 3 2024 (John Newcome)__

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| :thumb=0046: | :thumb=0330: |

__Yellow Wings: The Calm Between the Storms, Museum of Flight, Seattle WA, Oct 3 2024-Feb 6 2025 (Tim Nelson)__

|  |  |
|---|---|
| :thumb=0016: | |

### Completed models

| <b>January</b> | <b>February</b> | <b>March</b> | <b>April</b> | <b>May</b> | <b>June</b> |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | :thumb=0457: | :thumb=0459: | | :thumb=0330: |
| <b>July</b> | <b>August</b> | <b>September</b> | <b>October</b> | <b>November</b> | <b>December</b> |
| | | | | | |</description>
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      <link>/kits/0330/</link>
      <title>Curtiss R2C-2</title>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
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      <link>/2024/03/color-schemes-of-the-regia-aeronautica</link>
      <title>Color schemes of the Regia Aeronautica</title>
      <description>:rapintro:

Questi schemi sono tratti dal CMPR Camouflage (di U. Postiglioni e A. Degl'Innocenti, Colori e Schemi Mimetici Della Regia Aeronautica, II Edizione, CMPR, GAVS sez Roma, GMT, 2a Ristampa, 1997)

### SCHEMA A - BANDE

|Schema e Aerei | Mimetica | Inferiore |     |
|---            | ---      | ---       | --- |
| **Schema A1 - Bande dal 1936 al 1938**<br/>SM.79 | Giallo Mimetico 3 + Marrone Mimetico 2 + Verde Mimetico 1 | Grigio Mimetico o Alluminio | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-A1.jpg) | 
| **Schema A1A - Bande 1937**<br/>SM.79 | Giallo Mimetico 3 + Marrone Mimetico 2 + Verde Mimetico 1 | Grigio Mimetico o Alluminio | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-A1A.jpg) | 
| **Schema A1B - Tipico a bande**<br/>CR.32 | Giallo Mimetico 1 + Marrone Mimetico 1 + Verde Mimetico 1 | Grigio Mimetico o Alluminio | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-A1B.jpg) | 
| **Schema A2 - Tipico a bande 1936**<br/>Ro. 37 | Giallo Mimetico 1 + Marrone Mimetico 2 + Verde Mimetico 1 + Verde Mimetico 2 + Bruno Mimetico | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-A2.jpg) | 

### SCHEMA A - BANDE TRASVERSALI VERDE-MARRONE-GIALLO

|Schema e Aerei | Mimetica | Inferiore |     |
|---            | ---      | ---       | --- |
| **Schema A3 - Bande trasversali di tre colori a bordi sfumati**<br/>SM.79, SM.81 | Giallo Mimetico 3 + Verde Mimetico 3 + Marrone Mimetico 53193 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-A3.jpg) | 
| **Schema A3A**<br/>SM.79, SM.82 | Giallo Mimetico 3 + Verde Mimetico 52192 + Marrone Mimetico 53193 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-A3A.jpg) | 
| **Schema A4 - Bande trasversali di tre colori + di cui uno minoritario + a bordi sfumati**<br/>SM.79, SM.82 | Giallo Mimetico 3 + Verde Mimetico 3 + Marrone Mimetico 53193 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-A4.jpg) | 
| **Schema A5 - Bande trasversali + estese di tre colori a bordi molto sfumati**<br/>CANT Z.1007 | Giallo Mimetico 3 + Verde Mimetico 53192 + Marrone Mimetico 53193 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-A5.jpg) | 

### SCHEMA B - GROSSE CHIAZZE POLICROMATICHE

|Schema e Aerei | Mimetica | Inferiore |     |
|---            | ---      | ---       | --- |
| **Schema B1 - Grosse chiazze di tre colori dai bordi netti**<br/>Ba.64, Ba.65 | Giallo Mimetico 3 + Verde Mimetico 3 + Bruno Mimetico | Alluminio o Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-B1.jpg) | 
| **Schema B2 - Grosse chiazze di quattro o cinque colori dai bordi netti**<br/>Ba.64, Ba.65 | Giallo Mimetico 3 + Verde Mimetico 53192 + Verde Mimetico 3 + Marrone Mimetico 2 | Alluminio o Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-B2.jpg) | 

### SCHEMA C - A RETICOLO A MACCHIE RADE

|Schema e Aerei | Mimetica | Inferiore |     |
|---            | ---      | ---       | --- |
| **Schema C1 - Macchie rade Verdi e Marrone Mimetico su sfondo Giallo Mimetico**<br/>CR.32, CR.42, G.50, Ro.37, SM.79 | Giallo Mimetico 1 o Giallo Mimetico 2 o Giallo Mimetico 3 o Giallo Mimetico 4 + Verde Mimetico 2 o Verde Mimetico 3 o Verde Mimetico 53192 + Marrone Mimetico 2 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-C1.jpg) | 
| **Variante C1A**<br/>CR.42 | Giallo Mimetico 1 o Giallo Mimetico 3 + Verde Mimetico 3 o Verde Mimetico 53192 + Marrone Mimetico 1 o Marrone Mimetico 2 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-C1A.jpg) | 
| **Variante C1B**<br/>CR.25, G.12, SM.82 | Giallo Mimetico 1 o Giallo Mimetico 3 + Verde Mimetico 3 + Marrone Mimetico 1 o Marrone Mimetico 2 o Marrone Mimetico 53193 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-C1B.jpg) | 
| **Variante C1C**<br/>MC.200 | Giallo Mimetico 1 o Giallo Mimetico 3 + Verde Mimetico 3 + Marrone Mimetico 1 o Marrone Mimetico 2 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-C1C.jpg) | 
| **Schema C2 - Macchie rade Verdi su fondo Giallo Mimetico**<br/>CR.32 + CR.42 + BR.20 + FN.305 + G.50 + Ca.310/311 + MC.200 + MC.202 ed SM.81 | Giallo Mimetico 3 o Giallo Mimetico 4 + Verde Mimetico 1 o Verde Mimetico 2 o Verde Mimetico 3 o Verde Mimetico 53192 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-C2.jpg) | 
| **Variante C2A**<br/>SM.79, SM.81, Ca.310/311 | Giallo Mimetico 3 o Giallo Mimetico 4 + Verde Mimetico 1 o Verde Mimetico 2 o Verde Mimetico 3 o Verde Mimetico 53192 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-C2A.jpg) | 
| **Variante della C2B**<br/>MC.202 | Giallo Mimetico 3 o Giallo Mimetico 4 + Verde Mimetico 1 o Verde Mimetico 2 o Verde Mimetico 3 o Verde Mimetico 53192 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-C2B.jpg) | 
| **Schema C3 - Reticolo di macchie rade Verde Mimetico su altro Verde Mimetico**<br/>CR.42, BR.20, G.50, SM.79, Ba.65, Ba.88 | Verde Mimetico 2 o Verde Mimetico 3 + Verde Mimetico 53192 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-C3.jpg) | 
| **Variante C3A**<br/>G.50 | Verde Mimetico 2 o Verde Mimetico 3 + Verde Mimetico 53192 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-C3A.jpg) | 
| **Variante C3B**<br/>SM.79 | Verde Mimetico 3 + Verde Mimetico 53192 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-C3B.jpg) | 
| **Schema C4 - Macchie continue Verde Mimetico su sfondo Verde più chiaro**<br/>MC.200 | Verde Mimetico 2 + Verde Mimetico 53192 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-C4.jpg) | 
| **Schema C5 - Macchie rade Giallo Mimetico su fondo Verde Mimetico**<br/>Ca.133, Ba.88, SM.79, SM.81 | Giallo Mimetico 2 o Giallo Mimetico 3 + Verde Mimetico 3 o Verde Mimetico 4 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-C5.jpg) | 
| **Schema C6 - Macchie Verdi su fondo Marrone**<br/>Ca.133, Ba.88 | Bruno Mimetico + Verde Mimetico 3 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-C6.jpg) | 
| **Schema C7 - Macchie rade Marrone Mimetico su fondo Verde Mimetico**<br/>Ba.88 | Bruno Mimetico + Verde Mimetico 53192 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-C7.jpg) | 
| **Schema C8 - Macchie rade Giallo e Marrone su fondo Verde Mimetico**<br/>MC.200, MC.202 | Bruno Mimetico + Verde Mimetico 2 + Giallo Mimetico 4 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-C8.jpg) | 
| **Schema C9 - Macchie rade Verde Chiaro e Verde Scuro su fondo Giallo Mimetico**<br/>SM.79 | Verde Mimetico 1 o Verde Mimetico 53192 + Verde Mimetico 2 o Verde Mimetico 3 + Giallo Mimetico 2 | Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-C9.jpg) | 
| **Schema C10 - Macchie continue Verde e Marrone Mimetico su fondo Giallo Mimetico**<br/>P.108 | Bruno Mimetico o Marrone Mimetico 53193 + Verde Mimetico 2 + Giallo Mimetico 2 o Giallo Mimetico 3 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-C10.jpg) | 
| **Variante C10A**<br/>Z.1007 | Marrone Mimetico 53193 + Verde Mimetico 3 + Giallo Mimetico 3 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-C10A.jpg) | 
| **Variante C10B**<br/>Ro.37, SM.79, SM.82, SB.84 | Marrone Mimetico 2 o Marrone Mimetico 53193 o Bruno Mimetico + Verde Mimetico 3 o Verde Mimetico 53192 + Giallo Mimetico 3 o Giallo Mimetico 4 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-C10B.jpg) | 
| **Schema C11 - Macchie continue Verde Mimetico su fondo Giallo Mimetico**<br/>Z.1007 | Verde Mimetico 3 + Giallo Mimetico 3 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-C11.jpg) | 
| **Variante C11A**<br/>MC.200 | Verde Mimetico 2 + Giallo Mimetico 4 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-C11A.jpg) | 

### SCHEMA D - MIMETICA COLONIALE E TIPO AS

|Schema e Aerei | Mimetica | Inferiore |     |
|---            | ---      | ---       | --- |
| **Schema D1 - Macchie rade Nocciola su fondo Verde**<br/>MC.200, MC.202 | Verde Oliva Scuro 2 + Nocciola Chiaro 4 | Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-D1.jpg) | 
| **Variante D1A**<br/>G.50, G.55, CR.42 | Verde Oliva Scuro 2 + Nocciola Chiaro 4 | Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-D1A.jpg) | 
| **Variante D1B**<br/>MC.200 | Verde Oliva Scuro 2 + Nocciola Chiaro 4 | Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-D1B.jpg) | 
| **Schema D2 - Macchie Verde su fondo Nocciola**<br/>MC.200, MC.202, Ba.65, Ba.88 | Verde Oliva Scuro 2 + Nocciola Chiaro 4 | Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-D2.jpg) | 
| **Variante D2A**<br/>MC.202 | Verde Oliva Scuro 2 + Nocciola Chiaro 4 | Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-D2A.jpg) | 
| **Variante D2B**<br/>MC.202 | Verde Oliva Scuro 2 + Nocciola Chiaro 4 | Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-D2B.jpg) | 
| **Schema D3 - Anelli irregolari Verdi su fondo Nocciola**<br/>MC.200, MC.202, MC.205, G.55, CR.42 | Verde Oliva Scuro 2 + Nocciola Chiaro 4 | Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-D3.jpg) | 

### SCHEMA E - MIMETICHE PARTICOLARI

|Schema e Aerei | Mimetica | Inferiore |     |
|---            | ---      | ---       | --- |
| **Schema E1 - Bande Giallo-Verde-Marrone con sopra macchie di colore contrastante**<br/>SM.81 | Giallo Mimetico 2 + Verde Mimetico 1 + Marrone Mimetico | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-E1.jpg) | 
| **Schema E2 - Macchie sfumate di Azzurro su fondo Grigio (non utilizzato/non confermato)**<br/>SM.84 | Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 + Azzurro 11 | Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-E2.jpg) | 
| **Schema E3 - Strisce sfumate ad andamento irregolare Verde e Marrone su fondo Giallo**<br/>CR.32 | Giallo Mimetico 1 o Giallo Mimetico 2 + Verde Mimetico 3 + Marrone Mimetico 2 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-E3.jpg) | 
| **Schema E4 - Variante dello schema E3 con strisce irregolari**<br/>CR.32 | Giallo Mimetico 2 + Verde Mimetico 3 + Marrone Mimetico 2 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-E4.jpg) | 
| **Schema E5 - Strisce sfumate fitti ed obliqui ad andamento regolare Verde e Marrone Mimetico su fondo Giallo**<br/>Ca.164 | Giallo Mimetico 3 + Verde Mimetico 2 + Marrone Mimetico 53193 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-E5.jpg) | 
| **Schema E6 - Grosse macchie Marrone e Verde Mimetico su fondo Giallo Mimetico**<br/>SM.75 | Giallo Mimetico 3 + Verde Mimetico 2 + Marrone Mimetico 53193 | Grigio Mimetico | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-E6.jpg) | 
| **Schema E7 - Bande trasversali di due colori sfumati**<br/>Ca.309 | Verde Oliva Scuro 2 + Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 | Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-E7.jpg) | 

### SCHEMA F - MIMETICHE UNIFORMI

|Schema e Aerei | Mimetica | Inferiore |     |
|---            | ---      | ---       | --- |
| **Schema F1 - Continentale Uniforme**<br/>Tutti i velivoli della RA dal 1942 al 1943 | Verde Oliva Scuro 2 | Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-F1.jpg) | 
| **Schema F2 - Continentale Uniforme**<br/>Idrovolanti | Grigio Azzurro Scuro 3 | Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-F2.jpg) | 
| **Schema F3 - Uniforme per aerei da addestramento e collegamento, siluranti, caccia imbarcati**<br/>MC.200, MC.202, SM.79, S.84, Re.2000, Re.2001 | Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 | Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-F3.jpg) | 
| **Schema F4 - Uniforme per caccia e aerei da bombardamento notturni**<br/>CR.42, Re.2001, P.108 | Nero Opaco | Nero Opaco | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-F4.jpg) | 

### SCHEMA G - COLORAZIONI UNIFORMI

|Schema e Aerei | Mimetica | Inferiore |     |
|---            | ---      | ---       | --- |
| **Schema G1 - Uniforme**<br/>Tutti i velivoli da trasporto e ricognizione coloniali ed aerei da addestramento | Bianco Avorio 5 | Bianco Avorio 5 | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-G1.jpg) | 
| **Schema G2 - Uniforme**<br/>Tutti gli aerei fino al 1936 | Alluminio | Alluminio | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-G2.jpg) | 
| **Schema G3 - Uniforme**<br/>Tutti i velivoli sanitari e soccorso | Bianco Neve 6 | Bianco Neve 6 | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-G3.jpg) | 
| **Schema G4 - Colorazioni Particolari** | Rosso 8 | Rosso 8 | ![](/uploads/blog/images/camouflage-schemas-of-the-regia-aeronautica-G4.jpg) | 

## Brevi cenni storici

I velivoli italiani, soprattutto quelli impiegati in territorio metropolitano (in Italia) nel corso degli anni '30 erano standardizzati nell'impiego del color Alluminio, sia sulle superfici superiori che sulle superfici inferiori. Con l'impiego dei velivoli nell'Aviazione Legionaria in Spagna, gli aerei iniziarono a ricevere una mimetica a chiazze, e nel 1937 viene deciso di impiegare gli stessi colori con schemi più complessi, creando le famose "mimetiche a reticolo", che troveremo poi nel corso del secondo conflitto mondiale. Quindi i colori della "Serie Mimetica" verranno impiegati nel corso della Seconda Guerra Mondiale, ma in modo differente da ditta a ditta.

Principalmente i velivoli impiegheranno un colore di base che poteva essere o un Giallo Mimetico o un Verde Mimetico, sui quali poi verranno create delle chiazze di varie forme e proporzioni di colore differente da quello base. A queste macchie, molte volte viene aggiunto un terzo colore che poteva essere un Marrone o un Bruno, anche se non mancavano le eccezioni come per esempio due tonalità di Verde più un Giallo.

I reticoli poi potevano essere di due tipi, e cioè a macchie continue (*solitamente Verde Scuro su Giallo Mimetico - Schema C*), oppure a macchie rade (*Giallo o Verde Chiaro su fondo Verde Scuro o comunque con varianti con Bruno o Marrone - Schema D*). Comunque tutte queste varianti vanno poi ricercate con fotografie, anche perchè variavano molto da ditta a ditta, da reparto a reparto e anche da aereo ad aereo. Con il proseguire della guerra, gli schemi mimetici si semplificano e si tende ad impiegare solo due colori e ad abbandonare le colorazioni a tre tonalità.

Nel 1941 una circolare riforma il sistema di colorazione dei velivoli, soprattutto per cercare di standardizzare l'impiego dei colori. Possiamo comunque fare un'analisi dei colori impiegati dalle case costruttrici più importanti in Italia:

* **SIAI (o Savoia Marchetti)** : Verde Mimetico 1, Giallo Mimetico 3, Marrone Mimetico 3;
* **Breda** : Giallo Mimetico 3, Verde Mimetico 3, Bruno Mimetico;
* **FIAT, CMASA e CANSA** : Giallo Mimetico 1, Verde Mimetico 1, Marrone Mimetico 1;
* **Caproni e Aeronautica Predappio** : Marrone Mimetico 2, Verde Mimetico 3, Bruno Mimetico, Marrone Mimetico 53193, Verde Mimetico 53192;
* **IMAM** : Giallo Mimetico 3, Verde Mimetico 3, Marrone Mimetico 2, Bruno Mimetico;
* **Macchi** : Verde Mimetico 2, Verde Mimetico 53192, Giallo Mimetico 4, Bruno Mimetico;
* **Piaggio** : Giallo Mimetico 2, Verde Mimetico 2, Marrone Mimetico 2, Bruno Mimetico;
* **Reggiane** : Giallo Mimetico 3, Giallo Mimetico 4, Verde Mimetico 2, Marrone Mimetico 1, Marrone Mimetico 2.

Tutti i velivoli poi, nel periodo bellico, recavano la parte inferiore in Grigio Mimetico, anche se molti velivoli all'entrata in guerra dell'Italia portavano ancora le superfici inferiori in Alluminio.

Con la "Riforma del 1941" si cerca di standardizzare gli schemi e colori. Per i colori viene introdotto il Nocciola Chiaro 4, il Verde Oliva Scuro 2 e il Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1.

Gli aerei metropolitani riceveranno tutti una livrea Verde Oliva Scuro, anche se per il teatro africano si prevedono delle macchie in Nocciola Chiaro, mentre il Grigio Mimetico delle parti inferiori verrà sostituito dal Grigio Azzurro Chiaro. Comunque nelle ditte viene consigliato prima di esaurire tutti i colori in magazzino, quindi avremmo per tutta la durata del conflitto questa mescolanza di vecchio e nuovo che si protrarrà fino all'Armistizio dell'8 settembre 1943. Una variante in "corsa" viene fatta all'inizio del 1942, quando risulta più opportuno per il teatro Africano invertire i colori, dando ai velivoli un fondo Nocciola Chiaro e chiazze in Verde Oliva Scuro. Questo sarà anche conseguenza di interpretazioni diverse tra le ditte, dove troveremo la Fiat con gli ultimi CR.42 e G.50 e i primi aerei G.55 con ampie chiazze circolari di Nocciola Chiaro su fondo Oliva Scuro, mentre la Macchi con i suoi MC.200, MC.202 ed MC.205 creerà delle "amebe" o "anelli di fumo" in Verde Oliva Scuro su fondo Nocciola Chiaro.

Ref: https://www.stormomagazine.com/RegiaAeronauticaColorsinWWII_3a.htm </description>
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      <title>Italian 90/53 gun with Crew</title>
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      <title>Looking back to my 2023 in modelling</title>
      <description>And another year is passing by... from the scale modeling point of view, this was not one of the most productive ones, but some kits came out quite nice.

As usual, being part of two wonderful clubs (:ipms: and :nwsm:), kept me in touch with great fellow modelers, and gave me the opportunity to talk about and show my work.

In 2023, I completed twelve models, participated in four displays at the Museum of Flight ([T-6 monograph](https://www.nwsm.club/2022/11/17/2022-11-04-north-americans-t-6-the-worlds-most-famous-trainer/), [Air aces](https://www.nwsm.club/2023/02/06/2023-02-02-aces-high-knights-of-the-air/), [Assembly ships](https://www.nwsm.club/2023/06/04/2023-06-01-war-weary-makeover-assembly-ships-of-the-8th-air-force/), and [F-86 monograph](https://www.nwsm.club/2023/10/08/2023-10-05-f-86-sabre-swept-wing-warrior/)), and brought pretty much all my 72 models to the [IPMS Spring Show](https://www.ipms-seattle.org/gallery/springshow/2023/) in April (that is not going to happen again :) )

**Highlight of 2023**

This year, I finally finished my first tank (the [M13/40](/kits/0153)) with a serious set of aftermarket and scratch built additions. I was afraid it would come out as a generic mess, but it turned out more than decent, and I learnt a lot in the process.

**Lowlight of 2023**

I did not do a lot of modelling this year. Between work, time off, new kittens, etc... I think I took several months where I did not touch anything related to scale models.

**2024 resolutions**

I want to build a diorama, a few large scale planes, a ship, and some armor. I'll figure out the space to put the finished results later :)

**Completed kits**

| January | February | March | April | May | June |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| :thumb=0209:<br/>:thumb=0027: | :thumb=0315:<br/>:thumb=0234: | | :thumb=0406:<br/>:thumb=0408:| :thumb=0338:<br/>:thumb=0153: |
| <b>July</b> | <b>August</b> | <b>September</b> | <b>October</b> | <b>November</b> | <b>December</b> |
| | :thumb=0340: | :thumb=0416:<br/>:thumb=0428: | :thumb=0382: | | |

**Work in progress/on the bench**

* :kit=0330:
* :kit=0401:
* :kit=0322:
* :kit=0088:
* :kit=0082:
* :kit=0450:

**Museum of Flight displays and shows**

_Aircraft of the Aces, Museum of Flight, Seattle WA, Feb 2 2023-Jun 1 2023 (John Newcome)_

|  |  |
|---|---|
| :thumb=0027: | :thumb=0209: |

_IPMS Seattle 2023 Spring Show, Community Center, Renton WA, Apr 29 2023-Apr 29 2023 (IPMS Seattle)_

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| :thumb=0110: | :thumb=0126: | :thumb=0132: | :thumb=0134: | :thumb=0135: |
| :thumb=0140: | :thumb=0141: | :thumb=0143: | :thumb=0150:<br/>Highly commended | :thumb=0151: |
| :thumb=0161: | :thumb=0162: | :thumb=0163: | :thumb=0164: | :thumb=0165: |
| :thumb=0166: | :thumb=0167: | :thumb=0168: | :thumb=0170: | :thumb=0171: |
| :thumb=0176: | :thumb=0177: | :thumb=0182: | :thumb=0192: | :thumb=0234: |
| :thumb=0291: | :thumb=0304: | :thumb=0309: | :thumb=0314: | :thumb=0315: |
| :thumb=0329: <br/>Highly commended| :thumb=0332: | :thumb=0345: | :thumb=0354: | :thumb=0360: |
| :thumb=0361:<br/>Highly commended | :thumb=0380: | :thumb=0386: | :thumb=0390: | :thumb=0391: |
| :thumb=0395: | :thumb=0406: |

</div>



_War-Weary Makeover: Assembly Ships of the 8th Air Force, Museum of Flight, Seattle WA, Jun 1 2023-Oct 5 2023 (Tim Nelson)_

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| :thumb=0380: | 

_F-86 Sabre: Swept-Wing Warrior, Museum of Flight, Seattle WA, Oct 5 2023-Feb 1 2024 (Jim Bates, Will Perry)_

|  |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| :thumb=0338: | :thumb=0340: | :thumb=0428: |

</description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/kits/0382/</guid>
      <link>/kits/0382/</link>
      <title>MiG-29 9-13 "The Ghost of Kyiv"</title>
      <description>There are still debates whether the «Ghost of Kyiv» really exists. Can it be one person or the whole team. Some believe he died, and many say he was ejected. Or maybe it's just an inspiring story...

However, despite all the controversy, we know for sure: «The Ghost of Kiev» has become a symbol of indomitable struggle. The struggle that every Ukrainian feels and lives during three month in a row. The symbol of those selfless and courageous Heroes who protect us in the sky. The symbol of Pilots who defend us at the cost of their lives.

In the Air Force of Ukraine MiG-29 «9-13» is a significant part of the fleet of fighter aircraft. Some of these aircraft have been upgraded, which has improved the composition of on-board electronic equipment. A characteristic external feature of the Ukrainian MiG-29 is the gray «pixel» camouflage, which has become a kind of signature of these fighters.

_- from the ICM 72140 kit box description_</description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/2023/09/have-a-glass</guid>
      <link>/2023/09/have-a-glass</link>
      <title>Have a glass</title>
      <description>Have Glass is the code name for a series of RCS reduction measures for the F-16 fighter. Its primary aspect is the addition of an indium-tin-oxide layer to the gold tinted cockpit canopy. This is reflective to radar frequencies, while it may seem odd, adding a radar reflective coating actually reduces the plane's visibility to radar. An ordinary canopy would let radar signals straight through where they would strike the many edges and corners inside and bounce back strongly to the source, the reflective layer dissipates these signals instead. 

Overall, Have Glass reduces an F-16's RCS (radar-cross section) by some 15 percent. Not sure if it's exactly the same stuff as the F-22 but it's applied with the same CASPER (Computer Aided Spray Paint Expelling Robot) system used for the F-22 so I’d be guessing yes.

The paint has a distinct metallic finish to it and has a dirty faded weathered appearance. Paint codes for this finish are:

![](/uploads/blog/images/have-a-glass-0.jpg)

And the equivalency color table is:

| Area                                          | Color                          | Tamiya         | Vallejo            |
| ---                                           | ---                            | ---            | ---               |
| Overall Aircraft                              | FS36270 Haze Grey              | TAM XF-75  | AV 71.275 |
| Topsides                                      | FS36118 Gunship grey, ANA 603  | TAM XF-54  | AV 71.097 |
| Wingtip Missile Rails                         | FS36270 Haze Grey              | TAM XF-75  | AV 71.275 |
| Underwing Missile Rails, Pylons & Drop tanks  | FS36375 Medium Grey            | TAM XF-19  | AV 73.615 |
|   - or -                                      | FS36270 Haze Grey              | TAM XF-75  | AV 71.275 |

A lot more info can be found at [key.aero](https://www.key.aero/article/have-glass-making-f-16-less-observable).
</description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/kits/0428/</guid>
      <link>/kits/0428/</link>
      <title>F-86F-40-NA Sabre</title>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/kits/0416/</guid>
      <link>/kits/0416/</link>
      <title>Aeronautica Macchi C.202 "Folgore"</title>
      <description>Part of :post=/2023/09/regia-aeronautica-airfield-in-sciacca-sicily-june-1943-diorama:</description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/kits/0340/</guid>
      <link>/kits/0340/</link>
      <title>F-86H Sabre Hog</title>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/2023/08/regia-marina-colors-in-wwii</guid>
      <link>/2023/08/regia-marina-colors-in-wwii</link>
      <title>Regia Marina colors in WWII</title>
      <description>|Color                      |Notes                                  |FS.595b               |Vallejo           |Tamiya    |Lifecolor |
|---                        |---                                    |---                   |---               |---       |---       |
|Verde Scuro Antivegetativo |Underwater hull                        |FS 34092 Var          |:paint=AV 71.267: |TAM XF-73 |LC UA617  |
|Grigio Scuro               |Splinter camo                          |FS 34087 Var          |:paint=AV 71.047: |TAM XF-63 |LC UA614  |
|Grigio Piombo Ponte        |Horizontal surfaces and metal decks    |FS 36118 Var          |:paint=AV 71.053: |TAM XF-91 |LC UA615  |
|Rosso Mattone              |Identification stripes (at 45 degrees) |FS 31310/FS 31328 Var |:paint=AV 71.085: |TAM XF-7  |LC UA616  |
|Grigio Cenerino Chiaro     |Overall camo                           |FS 36622              |:paint=AV 71.296: |TAM XF-80 |LC UA613  |
|Legno Chiaro Teack         |Teak decks                             |FS 33523 Var          |:paint=AV 71.228: |TAM XF-78 |LC UA618  |
</description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/2023/06/regio-esercito-colors-in-wwii</guid>
      <link>/2023/06/regio-esercito-colors-in-wwii</link>
      <title>Regio Esercito colors in WWII</title>
      <description>Tons of color images (not colorized) can be found [here](https://www.google.it/search?hl=it&q=italy+Jaeger+File+source:life&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi&tbm=isch). These were taken by a German photographer following Hitler's visit to Italy in 1938, and later acquired by the Time/Life magazine.

### Armor and vehicles

|Color                |RGB          |Notes                                        |FS.595b                        |Lifecolor |Vallejo   |Tamiya    |AK       |
|---                  |---          |---                                          |---                            |---       |---       |---       |---      |
|Grigio Verde Chiaro  |:rgb=76814F: |Tarps, coverings and green body tank variant |FS 34424/FS 34201 Var          |LC UA213  |AV 71.103 |TAM XF-21 |AK RC038 |
|Grigio Verde Scuro   |:rgb=8B8D68: |Pre war and after 1943 body tank             |FS 34097/FS 34508 Var/FS 34159 |LC UA214  |AV 71.044 |TAM XF-22 |AK RC231 |
|Rosso Ruggine        |:rgb=581B0F: |Ansaldo and A.O.I. camo                      |FS 31105/FS 31109              |LC UA215  |AV 71.084 |          |AK RC218 |
|Verde Scuro          |:rgb=1F4F2E: |Ansaldo and amoeba camo                      |FS 34058 Var                   |LC UA216  |AV 71.012 |          |AK RC305 |
|Giallo Sabbia Chiaro |:rgb=EAD882: |Body color in A.O.I.                         |FS 33531/FS 33564 Var          |LC UA217  |AV 71.075 |          |AK RC046 |
|Giallo Sabbia Scuro  |:rgb=B89D3D: |Ansaldo and amoeba camo                      |FS 33245                       |LC UA218  |AV 71.028 |          |AK RC093 |
|Marrone Sabbia       |:rgb=8D6856: |CV-33 tankette base                          |                               |          |AV 71.034 |          |         |
|Grigio Cemento       |:rgb=7D8471: |Semovente 90/53 base                         |                               |          |AV 71.045 |          |         |

(*) A.O.I. = Africa Orientale Italiana

### Uniforms

|Color                |RGB          |Notes                                        |FS.595b                        |Lifecolor |Vallejo   |Tamiya    |AK       |
|---                  |---          |---                                          |---                            |---       |---       |---       |---      |
|Desert Yellow        |:rgb=8f7745: |Africa uniforms                              |FS 30257                       |          |AV 70.977 |          |         |
|Olive Grey           |:rgb=3f564d: |Europe uniforms and puttees                  |FS 34096                       |LC UA054  |AV 70.888 |TAM XF-51 |         |
|Yellow Green         |:rgb=8d8445: |Webbing                                      |FS 34259                       |LC UA240  |AV 70.881 |          |         |
</description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/kits/0153/</guid>
      <link>/kits/0153/</link>
      <title>Fiat Ansaldo Carro Armato M13/40</title>
      <description>It should represent a Series III tank belonging to the Ariete division, sometime around the battle of Bir el Gubi, November 1941, during the opening engagements of Operation Crusader. The particular vehicle belongs to the VIII battalion, 1st Company, 2nd Platoon. The Ariete's first units disembarked in Tripoli on 24 January 1941. The battle at Bir el Gubi was the first engagement where Ariete fought as a division. Also, it was the first armored engagement in the conflict that was successful for the Italians, and it was the battle that earned the Ariete division respect among both Axis and Allies. After this event, the narrative directed toward Italian armored forces changes to: "they fought valiantly, despite being ill-equipped".</description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/kits/0338/</guid>
      <link>/kits/0338/</link>
      <title>Canadair F-86E(M) Sabre Mk.4</title>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/2023/05/2023-ipms-seattle-spring-show</guid>
      <link>/2023/05/2023-ipms-seattle-spring-show</link>
      <title>2023 IPMS Seattle Spring Show</title>
      <description>And I was there!</description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/kits/0408/</guid>
      <link>/kits/0408/</link>
      <title>FIAT 508 CM "Coloniale"</title>
      <description />
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/2023/04/aircrafts-of-the-regia-aeronautica</guid>
      <link>/2023/04/aircrafts-of-the-regia-aeronautica</link>
      <title>Aircrafts of the Regia Aeronautica</title>
      <description>:rapintro:

|Aircraft Model	|Role	|1st flight	|Service entry	|# Used	|Notes	|Projects	|
|---	|---	|---	|---	|---	|---	|---	|
|Aeronautica Lombarda AL-12P	|glider	|1943	|1943	|16	|	|	|
|Aeronautica Umbra Trojani AUT.18	|fighter	|1939	|n/a	|1	|Prototype	|	|
|Ambrosini A.R.	|flying bomb	|1943	|n/a	|5	|	|	|
|Ambrosini CVV-6 "Canguro"	|glider	|1941	|1943	|36	|	|	|
|Ambrosini S.7T	|trainer	|1939	|1943	|10	|	|	|
|Ambrosini SAI.10 "Grifone"	|trainer	|1939	|1940	|10	|	|	|
|Ambrosini SAI.207	|fighter	|1941	|1942	|14	|	|	|
|Ambrosini SAI.403 "Dardo"	|fighter	|1943	|n/a	|1	|Prototype	|	|
|Ambrosini SS.4	|fighter	|1939	|n/a	|1	|Prototype	|	|
|Arado Ar 96B-2	|trainer	|1938	|1943	|2	|	|	|
|AVIA FL.3	|trainer	|1939	|1940	|335	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0234:</li></ol>	|
|Breda Ba.201	|dive bomber	|1941	|n/a	|2	|Prototype	|	|
|Breda Ba.25	|trainer	|1931	|1932	|763	|	|	|
|Breda Ba.28	|trainer	|1936	|1938	|59	|	|	|
|Breda Ba.39	|liaison	|1932	|n/a	|60	|	|	|
|Breda Ba.44	|transport	|1934	|1936	|5	|	|	|
|Breda Ba.64	|ground attack	|1935	|1937	|42	|	|	|
|Breda Ba.65	|ground attack	|1935	|1937	|200	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0057:</li></ol>	|
|Breda Ba.75	|reconnaissance / ground attack	|1939	|n/a	|1	|Prototype	|	|
|Breda Ba.82	|medium bomber	|1937	|n/a	|1	|Prototype	|	|
|Breda Ba.88 "Lince"	|fighter / bomber	|1936	|1938	|149	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0374:</li></ol>	|
|Bücker Bü 131 "Jungmann"	|trainer	|1934	|1941	|41	|Prototype	|	|
|CANSA C.5	|trainer	|1939	|1939	|62	|	|	|
|CANSA C.6	|trainer	|1941	|n/a	|2	|Prototype	|	|
|CANSA FC.12	|trainer	|1940	|n/a	|10+1	|	|	|
|CANSA FC.20	|reconnaissance / bomber	|1941	|1943	|8	|	|	|
|CANT Z.1007 "Alcione"	|bomber	|1937	|1939	|582	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0058:</li><li>:kit=0059:</li></ol>	|
|CANT Z.1011	|heavy bomber / transport	|1936	|1938	|6	|	|	|
|CANT Z.1012	|liaison	|1937	|1938	|5	|	|	|
|CANT Z.1018"Leone"	|bomber	|1939	|1943	|15	|	|	|
|CANT Z.501"Gabbiano"	|maritime patrol	|1934	|1936	|454	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0090:</li></ol>	|
|CANT Z.506B "Airone"	|maritime patrol / bomber	|1935	|1939	|314	|	|	|
|CANT Z.506C/S "Airone"	|transport / rescue	|1935	|1939	|57	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0092:</li></ol>	|
|CANT Z.511	|transport seaplane	|1940	|n/a	|2	|Prototype	|	|
|CANT Z.515	|reconnaissance / bomber	|1939	|n/a	|11	|	|	|
|Caproni Ca.100	|trainer	|1928	|1930	|650	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0045:</li></ol>	|
|Caproni Ca.101	|	|	|	|	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0372:</li></ol>	|
|Caproni Ca.111	|reconnaissance	|1932	|1933	|152	|	|	|
|Caproni Ca.133	|transport / bomber	|1934	|1935	|443	|	|	|
|Caproni Ca.135	|bomber	|1935	|1937	|69	|	|	|
|Caproni Ca.148	|transport	|	|1938	|54	|	|	|
|Caproni Ca.164	|liaison	|1938	|	|280	|	|	|
|Caproni Ca.165	|fighter	|1938	|n/a	|1	|Prototype	|	|
|Caproni Ca.308/A.P.1 "Boreas"	|light bomber	|1934	|1936	|53	|	|	|
|Caproni Ca.309 "Ghibli"	|reconnaissance	|1937	|n/a	|243	|	|	|
|Caproni Ca.310 "Libeccio"	|reconnaissance / bomber	|1937	|1938	|193	|	|	|
|Caproni Ca.311	|bomber	|1939	|1939	|284	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0060:</li><li>:kit=0357:</li></ol>	|
|Caproni Ca.312	|bomber	|1939	|n/a	|39	|	|	|
|Caproni Ca.313	|bomber	|1939	|n/a	|338	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0061:</li></ol>	|
|Caproni Ca.314	|bomber / maritime patrol	|n/a	|1942	|200	|	|	|
|Caproni Ca.316	|reconnaissance / patrol	|1940	|n/a	|14	|Prototype	|	|
|Caproni Ca.331" Raffica"	|bomber / night fighter	|1940	|n/a	|3	|Prototype	|	|
|Caproni Campini N.1	|engine testbed	|1940	|n/a	|2	|Prototype	|	|
|Caproni Vizzola F.4	|fighter	|1940	|n/a	|1	|Prototype	|	|
|Caproni Vizzola F.5	|fighter	|1939	|1939	|13	|	|	|
|Caproni Vizzola F.6	|fighter	|1941	|n/a	|2	|Prototype	|	|
|Caudron C.440 "Goéland"	|transport	|1934	|1943	|7	|Captured	|	|
|Caudron C.635 "Simoun"	|liaison	|1934	|1943	|2	|Captured	|	|
|CNA PM.1	|trainer	|1939	|n/a	|1	|Prototype	|	|
|Dewoitine D.520 C.1	|fighter	|1938	|1940	|60	|Captured	|<ol><li>:kit=0077:</li><li>:kit=0406:</li></ol>	|
|Dornier Do 217J	|night fighter	|1938	|1942	|11	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0078:</li></ol>	|
|Douglas DC-2	|transport	|1934	|1940	|2	|	|	|
|Douglas DC-3	|transport	|n/a	|n/a	|1	|	|	|
|Fiat B.R.20 "Cicogna"	|bomber	|1936	|1936	|233	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0062:</li></ol>	|
|Fiat B.R.20M "Cicogna"	|bomber	|1936	|1936	|279	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0100:</li></ol>	|
|Fiat C.R.25	|reconnaissance / transport	|1937	|1939	|12	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0063:</li></ol>	|
|Fiat C.R.32	|fighter	|1933	|1933	|1052	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0392:</li><li>:kit=0393:</li><li>:kit=0448:</li></ol>	|
|Fiat C.R.42 "Falco"	|fighter	|1938	|1939	|1551	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0376:</li><li>:kit=0006:</li><li>:kit=0067:</li><li>:kit=0068:</li><li>:kit=0069:</li><li>:kit=0375:</li></ol>	|
|Fiat G.12	|transport	|1940	|1941	|28	|	|	|
|Fiat G.18	|transport	|1935	|1943	|9	|	|	|
|Fiat G.50 "Freccia"	|fighter	|1937	|1938	|683	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0114:</li><li>:kit=0370:</li><li>:kit=0371:</li><li>:kit=0425:</li></ol>	|
|Fiat G.55 "Centauro"	|fighter	|1942	|1943	|30	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0030:</li><li>:kit=0378:</li><li>:kit=0379:</li><li>:kit=0355:</li><li>:kit=0065:</li><li>:kit=0066:</li><li>:kit=0427:</li></ol>	|
|Fiat G.8	|trainer	|1934	|n/a	|51	|	|	|
|Fiat RS.14	|reconnaissance	|1939	|1941	|186	|	|	|
|Fieseler Fi 156 "Storch"	|liaison	|1936	|n/a	|24	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0353:</li><li>:kit=0354:</li></ol>	|
|Gotha Go 242	|transport glider	|1941	|1943	|4	|	|	|
|IMAM Ro.10/Fokker F.VII	|transport	|1924	|n/a	|1/2	|	|	|
|IMAM Ro.37 "Lince"	|reconnaissance	|1933	|1935	|617	|	|	|
|IMAM Ro.41	|trainer / liaison	|1934	|1935	|743	|	|	|
|IMAM Ro.43	|reconnaissance	|1934	|1935	|193	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0245:</li></ol>	|
|IMAM Ro.44	|floatplane fighter	|1936	|1937	|35	|	|	|
|IMAM Ro.51	|fighter	|1937	|n/a	|1	|Prototype	|	|
|IMAM Ro.57bis	|dive bomber	|1939	|1943	|50	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0010:</li></ol>	|
|IMAM Ro.58	|dive bomber	|1942	|n/a	|1	|Prototype	|	|
|IMAM Ro.63	|reconnaissance / liaison	|1940	|n/a	|6	|	|	|
|Junkers Ju 52/3m g7e	|transport	|1930	|1943	|4	|	|	|
|Junkers Ju 87B-2 & D-1 "Picchiatello"	|dive bomber	|1935	|1940	|210	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0102:</li></ol>	|
|Junkers Ju 88A-4	|bomber	|1936	|1943	|46	|	|	|
|Klemm Kl 35	|liaison / trainer	|1935	|1943	|1	|	|	|
|Liore et Olivier LeO 451 B.4	|bomber	|1937	|1941	|27	|Captured	|	|
|Macchi C.200 "Saetta"	|fighter	|1937	|1939	|1151	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0070:</li><li>:kit=0361:</li><li>:kit=0363:</li><li>:kit=0384:</li><li>:kit=0431:</li><li>:kit=0432:</li><li>:kit=0439:</li><li>:kit=0440:</li></ol>	|
|Macchi C.201	|fighter	|1940	|n/a	|1	|Prototype	|	|
|Macchi C.202 "Folgore"	|fighter	|1940	|1941	|1172	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0084:</li><li>:kit=0018:</li><li>:kit=0029:</li><li>:kit=0117:</li><li>:kit=0131:</li><li>:kit=0179:</li><li>:kit=0250:</li><li>:kit=0352:</li><li>:kit=0359:</li><li>:kit=0358:</li><li>:kit=0041:</li><li>:kit=0412:</li><li>:kit=0416:</li><li>:kit=0433:</li><li>:kit=0434:</li><li>:kit=0435:</li><li>:kit=0450:</li></ol>	|
|Macchi C.204	|fighter	|	|	|	|Prototype	|<ol><li>:kit=0135:</li></ol>	|
|Macchi C.205N "Orione"	|fighter	|1942	|n/a	|2	|Prototype	|<ol><li>:kit=0134:</li></ol>	|
|Macchi C.205V "Veltro"	|fighter	|1942	|1943	|199	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0436:</li><li>:kit=0033:</li><li>:kit=0053:</li><li>:kit=0180:</li><li>:kit=0116:</li><li>:kit=0136:</li><li>:kit=0173:</li><li>:kit=0305:</li><li>:kit=0112:</li><li>:kit=0005:</li><li>:kit=0085:</li><li>:kit=0124:</li><li>:kit=0389:</li></ol>	|
|Macchi M.C.100	|transport	|1936	|n/a	|6	|	|	|
|Macchi M.C.72 "Idrocorsa"	|Schneider Cup racer	|	|	|	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0046:</li></ol>	|
|Macchi M.C.94	|transport	|1936	|n/a	|6	|	|	|
|Messerschmitt Bf 108B-2 "Taifun"	|liaison	|1934	|1941	|1	|Captured	|	|
|Messerschmitt Bf 109F/G/K	|fighter	|1935	|1943	|225	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0238:</li><li>:kit=0019:</li><li>:kit=0319:</li><li>:kit=0430:</li></ol>	|
|Messerschmitt Bf 110C-4/G-4	|night fighter	|1936	|1942	|3	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0054:</li></ol>	|
|Morane-Saulnier MS.230 Et.2	|trainer	|1929	|1943	|8	|Captured	|	|
|Morane-Saulnier MS.406 C.1	|fighter	|1935	|1943	|25	|Captured	|	|
|Nardi FN.305	|trainer	|1935	|1935	|208	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0012:</li></ol>	|
|Nardi FN.315	|trainer	|1938	|1943	|31	|	|	|
|Nardi FN.316	|trainer	|1941	|1943	|49	|	|	|
|Piaggio P.108B	|bomber	|1939	|1942	|24	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0055:</li></ol>	|
|Piaggio P.108T	|transport	|1939	|1942	|12	|	|	|
|Piaggio P.111	|high altitude research	|1941	|n/a	|1	|Prototype	|	|
|Piaggio P.119	|fighter	|1942	|n/a	|1	|Prototype	|	|
|Piaggio P.32	|bomber	|1936	|1937	|28	|	|	|
|Piaggio P.50	|heavy bomber	|1937	|n/a	|3	|Prototype	|	|
|Potez 630/631 C.3	|heavy fighter	|1936	|1943	|13	|Captured	|	|
|Potez 63-11	|reconnaissance	|1938	|1943	|77	|Captured	|	|
|Reggiane Re.2000 "Falco I"	|fighter	|1939	|1940	|26	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0292:</li><li>:kit=0071:</li><li>:kit=0154:</li><li>:kit=0155:</li><li>:kit=0007:</li><li>:kit=0437:</li></ol>	|
|Reggiane Re.2001 "Falco II"	|fighter	|1940	|1941	|243	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0111:</li><li>:kit=0156:</li><li>:kit=0398:</li><li>:kit=0438:</li><li>:kit=0447:</li></ol>	|
|Reggiane Re.2002 "Ariete"	|fighter	|1940	|1942	|140	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0125:</li><li>:kit=0157:</li><li>:kit=0158:</li></ol>	|
|Reggiane Re.2003	|reconnaissance	|1941	|n/a	|1	|Prototype	|	|
|Reggiane Re.2004	|fighter / bomber	|n/a	|n/a	|1	|Prototype	|	|
|Reggiane Re.2005 "Sagittario"	|fighter	|1942	|1943	|37	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0072:</li><li>:kit=0159:</li></ol>	|
|Rogožarski SIM-XIV-H	|coastal reconnaissance / trainer	|1938	|1941	|8	|Captured	|	|
|Romeo Ro.1	|	|	|	|	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0369:</li></ol>	|
|SAIMAN 200	|trainer	|1938	|1940	|140	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0097:</li></ol>	|
|SAIMAN 202	|liaison	|1938	|1939	|390	|	|	|
|Savoia-Marchetti S.55X	|maritime patrol flying boat	|1924	|1931	|25	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0172:</li></ol>	|
|Savoia-Marchetti S.56	|flying-boat trainer	|1924	|1927	|4	|	|	|
|Savoia-Marchetti S.66	|search and rescue flying boat	|1931	|1940	|6	|	|	|
|Savoia-Marchetti S.73	|transport	|1934	|1935	|28	|	|	|
|Savoia-Marchetti S.74	|transport	|1934	|1935	|3	|	|	|
|Savoia-Marchetti SM.75	|transport	|1937	|n/a	|32	|	|	|
|Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 "Sparviero"	|bomber / transport	|1934	|1936	|1240	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0073:</li></ol>	|
|Savoia-Marchetti SM.81 "Pipistrello"	|bomber	|1934	|1935	|534	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0074:</li></ol>	|
|Savoia-Marchetti SM.82 "Marsupiale"	|transport / bomber	|1939	|1940	|726	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0075:</li></ol>	|
|Savoia-Marchetti SM.83	|transport	|1937	|1939	|20	|	|	|
|Savoia-Marchetti SM.84	|bomber	|1940	|1941	|329	|	|<ol><li>:kit=0076:</li></ol>	|
|Savoia-Marchetti SM.85	|dive bomber	|1936	|1939	|32	|	|	|
|Savoia-Marchetti SM.86	|dive bomber	|1939	|n/a	|1	|Prototype	|	|
|Savoia-Marchetti SM.87	|transport floatplanes	|1939	|1940	|4	|	|	|
|Savoia-Marchetti SM.88	|heavy fighter	|1939	|n/a	|1	|Prototype	|	|
|Savoia-Marchetti SM.89	|bomber	|1941	|1942	|1	|Prototype	|	|
|Savoia-Marchetti SM.91	|heavy fighter / bomber	|1943	|n/a	|2	|Prototype	|	|
|Savoia-Marchetti SM.92	|heavy fighter / bomber	|1943	|n/a	|1	|Prototype	|	|
|Savoia-Marchetti SM.93	|dive bomber	|1944	|n/a	|1	|Prototype	|	|
|Savoia-Marchetti SM.95	|transport	|1943	|n/a	|5	|	|	|
</description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/kits/0406/</guid>
      <link>/kits/0406/</link>
      <title>Dewoitine D.520</title>
      <description />
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/2023/04/my-battletech-color-schemes</guid>
      <link>/2023/04/my-battletech-color-schemes</link>
      <title>My BattleTech color schemes</title>
      <description>### Clan Wolf | Beta Galaxy | The Silver Keshik

* Primer: [Krylon Black](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07LFXGDWK/)
* Top: :paint=TAM XF-92: + [Tamiya Panel Dark Brown](https://www.amazon.com/TAMIYA-Accent-TAM87140-Plastics-Enamels/dp/B0CDHJZ3C2/) + :paint=AV 71.027: highlight
* Bottom: :paint=TAM XF-63: / :paint=AV 71.057: + [Tamiya Panel Black](https://www.amazon.com/Tamiya-Panel-Accent-Color-Black/dp/B005CTJUVE) + :paint=AV 71.051: highlight
* Cockpit: :paint=TAM X-2: + :paint=TAM X-14:
* Weapons: :paint=AV 71.072: + Citadel Nuln Oil

### Inner Sphere | Donegal Guards

* Primer: Tamiya Grey Fine Primer
* Base: :paint=AK RC291:
* Highlights: :paint=TAM XF-80:
* Cockpit: :paint=TAM X-12:
* Weapons: :paint=AV 71.072: + Citadel Nuln Oil

### Basing

* Texture: [AV 26.810 Light Brown Mud](https://acrylicosvallejo.com/en/product/hobby/diorama-fx-en/light-brown-mud-26810/)
* Base border: :paint=TAM XF-52:
* Ground: :paint=AV 71.038: + [Tamiya Panel Dark Brown](https://www.amazon.com/TAMIYA-Accent-TAM87140-Plastics-Enamels/dp/B0CDHJZ3C2/) + :paint=AV 71.112: drybrush</description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/2023/03/armee-de-lair-colors-in-wwii</guid>
      <link>/2023/03/armee-de-lair-colors-in-wwii</link>
      <title>Armée de l'Air colors in WWII</title>
      <description>## Conversion table

|Color            |RGB          |Notes                                    |FS.595b  |LifeColor |Vallejo   |Tamiya    |AK |
|---              |---          |---                                      |---      |---       |---       |---       |   |
|Gris Bleu Clair  |:rgb=b1b9a8: |Standard scheme lower surfaces from 1938 |FS 36473 |LC UA141  |AV 71.257 |TAM XF-23 |   |
|Kaki Francais    |:rgb=586742: |Standard scheme upper surfaces from 1938 |FS 34096 |LC UA142  |  AV 71.092        |          |   |
|Terre/Brun Fonce |:rgb=3b2918: |Standard scheme upper surfaces from 1938 |FS 30045 |LC UA143  |AV 71.287 |TAM XF-51 |   |
|Chamois          |:rgb=c1a175: |1939-1945 interior and metal parts       |FS 33448 |LC UA144  | AV 71.327         |          |   |
|Gris Bleu Fonce  |:rgb=8b9ea8: |Standard scheme upper surfaces from 1938 |FS 35237 |LC UA145  |AV 71.097 |TAM XF-82 |   |
|Vert Kaki/Pomme  |:rgb=66735d: |Standard scheme upper surfaces from 1938 |FS 34128 |LC UA146  |AV 71.285 |TAM XF-26 |   |

Fighters interior

(from https://imodeler.com/2019/12/tamiya-148-scale-dewoitine-d-520/)

* tubular structure: light gray, barely bluish
* instrument panel: matt black
* instruments and switches: satin black
* seat: medium blue gray (same as tubular structure?)
* right radio compartment: light gray
* gas control ball: varnished wood
* flap and landing gear controls: aluminum with red ends
* trim adjustment wheel: wood

Camouflage

(from https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235056209-dewoitine-d520-color-confusion/)

* Underside: Gris Bleu Clair: FS 35189, TAM XF-23
* Gris Bleu Fonce: FS 35164, GSI C366
* Kaki: FS 34087, GSI C304. Vert is apparently FS 34223?
* Brun: FS 30099, still trying to figure out a good match. Terre de Sienne is apparently FS 30108?
* Cockpit: Bleu de Nuit: FS 35044, MRP US Insignia Blue

White Ensign Model colorsets

(from https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/hyperscale/colours-for-dewoitine-d-520-t64230.html)

* ACF 01, Vert Moyen (Medium Green);
* ACF 02, Vert Fonce (Ivy Green);
* ACF 03, Terre d'Ombre Nat. (Raw Earth);
* ACF 04, Chocolat (Burnt Sienna);
* ACF 05, Gris Fonce (Dark Blue-Grey);
* ACF 06, Ombre Calcinee (Dark Earth);
* ACF 07, Kaki (Dark Olive Drab);
* ACF 08, Vert (Green);
* ACF 09, Gris Bleu Clair (Sky Grey);
* ACF 10, Gris Bleu Ciel (Sky Blue);
* ACF 11, Chamois (interior protective coating);
* ACF 12, Bleu Fonce (cockpit interior dark blue).

(from same thread)

For the cockpit Interior, you can use USN Dark Sea Blue (flat) and if you want, add a touch of black.
The wheel wells and gear were painted the underside color
For the underside color, I've used TAM XF-25.
For the top side blue-gray, I've used TAM XF-54.
For the Brown, any dark brown. The problem with Tamiya browns is that they are too reddish (although I've used TAM XF-68 for the Hawk 75, which allegedly used a redder brown than other aircraft). The paint chips I have of the French brown show them as pretty straight forward dark brown.
The Green is the other problem, it is sort of a khaki-green. A pssible mix is a little TAM XF-57 or TAM XF-52 to XF-67.

(from https://doogsmodels.com/2012/08/02/tamiya-dewoitine-d-520-pt-3-painting/)

* Gris Bleu Clair (underside): 5: GSI C315 + 3: GSI C1 + 2: GSI C337 :rgb=C1C2C4:
* Gris Bleu Fonce: 5: GSI C337 + 4: GSI C315 + 1: GSI C110 :rgb=7F858F:
* Terre Fonce: 5: GSI C131 + 4: GSI C369 + 1: GSI C316 :rgb=695F5B:</description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/2023/03/vitocharts-regia-aeronautica-1916-1943</guid>
      <link>/2023/03/vitocharts-regia-aeronautica-1916-1943</link>
      <title>VITOCHARTS Regia Aeronautica 1916-1943</title>
      <description>:rapintro:

# COLORS OFFICIALLY USED BY THE ITALIAN AVIATION

1916 - 1943

These color proofs have been drawn individually by hand with testing before drying. They must be examined in daylight (5500 K) with the sun behind or similar light source. Keep the folder closed away from light.

|Color	|Name	|RGB	|AV	|Notes	|	|
| ---	| ---	| ---	| ---	| ---	|	|
|COLORE 1	|GRIGIO AZZURRO (1941)	|	|	|	|
|COLORE 2	|VERDE OLIVA SCURO (1941)|	|	|	|
|COLORE 3	|GRIGIO AZZURRO SCURO MARINO (1941)|	|	|	|
|COLORE 4	|NOCCIOLA (1941)|	|	|	|
|COLORE 5	|BIANCO AVORIO (1930) (1941)|	|	|	|
|COLORE 6	|BIANCO NEVE (1941)|	|	|	|
|7	|COLORE 1 IN VARIANTE (MACCHI/REGGIANE)	|	|	|	|
|COLORE 7	|GIALLO CROMO PER ESTERNI (1941)	|	|	|	|
|8	|VERDE MIMETICO SCURO (1940)|	|	|	|
|COLORE 8	|ROSSO|	|	|	|
|9	|VERDE AZZURRO SCURO (S.I.A.I. 1940) (FIAT 1943)|	|	|	|
|COLORE 9	|VERDE (ANCHE VERDE MIMETICO 1936)|	|	|	|
|10	|COLORE 4 IN VARIANTE SABBIA|	|	|	|
|COLORE 10	|BRUNO ROSSICCIO ANCHE BRUNO MIMETICO (1936)|	|	|	|
|COLORE 11	|AZZURRO|	|	|	|
|11	|ALLUMINIO|	|	|	|
|12	|ALLUMINIO S.I.A.I. SUBALARE|	|	|	|
|COLORE 12	|NERO|	|	|	|
|13	|VERDE MIMETICO (1916) (1936) (FIAT C.A.I. 1940)	|	|	|	|
|14	|VERDE MIMETICO CHIARO (1940)|	|	|	|
|15	|VERDE AZZURRO CHIARO (FIAT O.M.S. e C.A.I. 1940) (I.M.A.M. 1941)|	|	|	|
|16	|GIALLO MIMETICO (1938)|	|	|	|
|17	|VERNICE ANTICORROSIVA TRASPARENTE SU ALLUMINIO|	|	|	|
|18	|VERNICE PER INTERNI (ANCHE FIAT O.M.S. 1937) SUBALARE|	|	|	|
|19	|GIALLO MIMETICO (1936)	|	|	|	|
|20	|VERDE MIMETICO (1916) ANCHE VERDE MIMETICO (1940 FIAT)|	|	|	|
|21	|ROSSO MIMETICO (O.M.S. 1936)|	|	|	|
|22	|COLORE 10 BRUNO CHIARO IN VARIANTE|	|	|	|
|23	|TRASPARENTE ANTICORROSIVA|	|	|	|
|24	|AZZURRO SUBALARE (O.M.S. 1937)|	|	|	|
|25	|GIALLO MIMETICO (1916) OCRA O.M.S. (1936)	|	|	|	|
|26	|BRUNO MIMETICO (1936)|	|	|	|
|27	|COLORE 7 GIALLO CROMO PER INTERNI E FREGI|	|	|	|
|28	|COLORE 10 BRUNO (S.I.A.I.)|	|	|	|
|29	|AZZURRO CELESTE O.R. (REGGIANE 1940-41)|	|	|	|
|30	|TERRA D'OMBRA (FIAT O.M.S. 1936)|	|	|	|
|37	|GRIGIO (1916) (1936)|	|	|	|
|38	|ROSSO OSSIDO (1916) (1936)|	|	|	|
|39	|VERDE SCURO MIMETICO (Macchi 1940)|	|	|	|

The very first war action had as protagonist, in the Italo-Turkish war of 1911, Lieutenant Giulio Gavotti of the Italian Aeronautical Corps and it can be said that there was no need for camouflage as, not having air forces available to the enemy, we were of little interest in putting I repair ours. Yet, the scheme was very valid as the canvas painted in hematite yellow had the identical color of the sands to fly over.

From that day on the only varnishes were the same yellow and the silvery aluminum of the glitter, added not for aesthetic reasons but rather to give durability to the canvases subjected to atmospheric wear.

The Italian firms found themselves unprepared for the tasks that the 1st World War imposed on them and for the most part they managed the construction under license of types from beyond the Alps and it was thanks to the Pomilio brothers of Turin and Eng. Gianni Caproni to undertake the design and manufacture of fully Italian machines with his own ideas. Later he joined the great Ansaldo, with the hand of the Ministry and the DTA

In France already in 1915 the problem of camouflage on the ground had been posed and it had been solved with large colored areas in ochre, red, brown and green, respectively the colors 25, 26, 20 in addition to the red oxide and the gray that we give here next to. We adopted these colors out of quiescence to the needs that the war in the alliance posed to us but we were far from needing them, for example on karst sinkholes. Thus were born at Pomilio, in addition to the French scheme, two different types: one with green spots on the yellowish cloth (16) and one with spots of the same dark green (20) and sometimes (8) or (9) on a grey-green (13 ).

Caproni and SVA adopted them later, while Caproni used for bombers (26) and (12) as well as a very dark blue close to color 3, and for diurnals he used (23) which over time became (25) and then, as can still be seen in the Museums (22-28) always very lucid, SVA Ansaldo placed side by side aluminum, brass and lacquered wood like the case of a guitar.

With the foundation of the Air Force, on March 23, 1923, the heritage in wings and pilots that had left us in the war re-emerged from abandonment and in a political key that great aviation was reorganized that amazed the world in peace only to sacrifice itself desperately in the Second World War. There were other colors: the yellow canvas and aluminum (II 0 12) the light blue of SANA and the crimson, ivory and royal dark of the terrestrial Ala Littoria as well as the dark garnet of the hydros, and the red «corsa» .

Thus we arrived at the Ethiopian countryside and the; the only particular scheme became the colonial one of the glossy canvas with large red diagonal bands on the wings to facilitate the search for lost planes in desert areas. The same bands will be used during the entire 2nd sea war on a white and aluminum background. However, these schemes had been in use since 1919.

In 1932 Caproni, solicited by the problems that foreign customers and especially the South American one posed to him, developed various types of painting for the various uses. Thus the Ca.lll had yellow and orange longitudinal stripes for transport and gray and green stripes for bombing and reconnaissance, light blue and light blue for hunting and green and brown for night use. (Colours: 19 and 25 -24 and 13 - 29 and 11 -20 and 26 respectively)

In April 1936, the Ministry, considering the possibility of adapting to the resumption of foreign aeronautics, imposed on all Italian aeronautical manufacturers a scheme with large bands, also known as enveloping bands or transversal bands. In compliance with these provisions, each company develops its own schemes of which we briefly note: FIAT BRIO (Grey - 16 - 26 - 20 - Black); G.50 (25 - 20 - 22); CR.32 (9-20-25 - 30); SIAI (Grey - color 9020 - color 10-19); IMAM (25-20 - .9-21 -28). Cant.Z. 13. 19 28); BREDA (25- oxide red - color 9); CAPRONI (colour 9 - oxide red - 25-20).

These colors were used very liberally. but the design of the bands, which we will give in a separate table, was imposed by the Central Authorities. SAI often used oxide red in addition and a light reddish (21) (S.81).

With the Spanish War, new settings were tested that were more suited to wartime needs, based on various solutions previously used in aircraft destined for foreign markets.

There were therefore three types of painting: Yellow background (16) with green spots (Color 2) called Spring Scheme A. Green background (13) with green spots (Color 9) known as summer/autumn "Scheme B". Green background (13) with green (Color 9) and brown (Color 10 - Burnt Sienna or reddish brown) spots called « Scheme C » in autumn/winter. The usual FIAT deviated from the imposed schemes by adopting for the CR.32 an umber ground (30) with green spots (20). FIAT also adopted three browns for the BR.20s to be supplied to Japan (21 and color 0 oxide red and 26).

We have so far freely used the references to the colors adopted starting from 1941 when they identified themselves with similar pigments even if it seems obvious that before this period they could not be called in this way.

We therefore do not mention the dates of promulgation of the individual decrees but the generic period of effective employment. Intact since all the studies were aimed at obtaining a high level of efficiency in the hypothesis of a conflict, at the beginning of the hostilities (June) the planes were for the most part camouflaged with the yellow and green «A» type and to a lesser extent number with type «B» (mostly S.79 - Cz.1007 bis and MC200); the urgency of providing the Italian Air Corps on the Channel in October 1940 with aircraft suitable for those areas bordering on the G_50s, the CR42s and the BR20s with the winter livery and it was the last time that these mockery had organic use.

In fact, from the beginning of 1941 there was a move towards various shades of green and at the end of the same year the seasonal criterion was abolished in favor of greater adherence to tactical needs. Thus the basic color became hazelnut terar (Tan) defined as « Color 4 » which in Africa took on an ocher shade (mustard or sand). On this basic color, spots of many types were painted in various shades of green and sometimes brown (Color 10). Green (Color 2) was increasingly used starting from the following year and with the abandonment of Libya the browns disappeared completely, giving way to grey, perhaps in imitation of the German schemes.

It must be said that it is missing from the table, as it is not officially used and comes from a mix of the old stocks of (14) at Macchi with the new Color 2", the green of the Macchi 200. The hydros had the "Color 3" from 1941 while «Color 5» had a purely colonial use or was used on school planes, such as snow white (Color 6) canvas (23) which became dark yellow, (24) and (29) (SAIMAN).

We will give the graphic layouts for the individual patterns in a separate brochure as they go beyond the purely chromatic content of this paper. For manufacturers, we can mention that since the beginning of the conflict

* Breda used (8, 14, 25, 10 and 22);
* Caproni (5-25, 8, 14);
* Reggiane 2000 2001 (2, 8, 12), 2000 embarked (29), 2005 (2)
* SIAI (14, 22, 28);
* FIAT CR.32 (25, 14)) (20, 16); CR42 (see above CAI) (10, 20) (9) (12) G.50 Greece (8); AS (4, 20, 22); (see above CAI), BR.20 (see above CAI as well as 15 with spots 26) (25) towards the end of the war G.50 (25, 8); G.55 (9, 20); CR42 (25, 8); G.12 (2) (8) experimentally infrared paints (2), (3), (9); BR20 and BR20 bis, R.23 (13) from 1942
* SIAIS79, ed S.84 (2) (9) sometimes with the forward part of the fuselage in (1) or (37). Emergency services (6) with red crosses and sometimes (11) with red bands.
* CANT.Z.1007 bis CAI (7, 9) in Greece (7, 8) in the Aegean and in the metropolitan area (16, 8, 20);
* IMAM (15), (29), (21, 22, 16, 8, 20),
* Piaggio P.108 (2, 13) then with all transport aircraft (16, 20):
* S.73, (3.12, S.81 20, 22 - Libya) (20, 8 - Russia);
* Macchi 200 (39: between 2 Cds 8), 20), (4, 14), (4, 8); MC.202 (4) or (22) or (10) mixed with all aircraft intended for missions over the sea (3) and night (black 12). MC205 (4, 8) or (gray eg 0 14).

The lower surfaces were first (11) and since 1938 (18 0 24). Until well into 1941 SIAI used dull aluminum, sometimes also for the engine cowlings (12) which on all aircraft were first (6) and then (7) like the bands and signals on the fuselage or wing depending on the area of operation. Then we moved on to (1) Or to (7) or even in rare cases (29).

We still mention the SIAI experimental scheme of 1942 with enveloping bands (3, 9, 12) for the S.84.

(c) VITOCHARTS - 1977</description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/2023/03/colors-of-the-regia-aeronautica</guid>
      <link>/2023/03/colors-of-the-regia-aeronautica</link>
      <title>Colors of the Regia Aeronautica</title>
      <description>:rapintro:

# Conversion table

|Color                   |RGB           |Notes    |FS.595b  |LifeColor |Vallejo   |Tamiya                |AK       |Gunze    |
| ---                    | ---          | ---     | ---     |  ---     | ---      | ---                  | ---     | ---     |
|Alluminio               |:rgb=8A9597:  |         |         |          |AV 71.062 |TAM X-11              |         |         |
|Azzurro 11              |:rgb=384160:  |         |FS 35044 |          |AV 71.090 |                      |         |         |
|Bianco Avorio 5         |:rgb=EEC6A5:  |         |FS 33613 |          |AV 71.074 |                      |AK RC227 |GSI H318 |
|Bianco Neve 6           |:rgb=F6F6F6:  |         |FS 37875 |LC LC01   |AV 71.001 |TAM XF-2              |         |GSI H11  |
|Bruno 10                |:rgb=443C39:  |         |         |          |AV 71.039 |                      |         |         |
|Bruno Mimetico          |:rgb=96674A:  |         |FS 30227 |LC UA125  |AV 71.026 |                      |         |GSI H310 |
|Giallo Cromo 7          |:rgb=FAD201:  |         |FS 33655 |LC LC03   |AV 70.953 |                      |         |GSI H4   |
|Giallo Mimetico 1       |:rgb=EAD882:  |         |FS 33531 |LC LC03   |AV 71.075 |                      |AK RC226 |GSI H313 |
|Giallo Mimetico 2       |:rgb=CDA700:  |         |FS 33481 |LC UA134  |AV 71.107 |                      |         |GSI H58  |
|Giallo Mimetico 3       |:rgb=C7960D:  |         |FS 33434 |LC UA80   |AV 70.913 |TAM XF-59             |         |GSI H34  |
|Giallo Mimetico 4       |:rgb=AA7B37:  |         |FS 30266 |LC UA97   |AV 71.031 |                      |         |GSI H71  |
|Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 |:rgb=9E9E9E:  |         |FS 36307 |LC UA113  |AV 71.298 |TAM XF-20             |AK RC250 |GSI H324 |
|Grigio Azzurro Scuro 3  |:rgb=656C71:  |         |FS 36118 |LC UA22   |AV 71.097 |                      |         |GSI H305 |
|Grigio Mimetico         |:rgb=808891:  |         |FS 36231 |LC UA33   |AV 71.277 |                      |AK RC247 |GSI H317 |
|Marrone Mimetico 1      |:rgb=705A43:  |         |FS 30118 |LC UA16   |AV 71.139 |TAM XF-52             |AK RC085 |GSI H72  |
|Marrone Mimetico 2      |:rgb=8D2C2D:  |         |FS 30109 |LC UA88   |AV 70.982 |                      |         |GSI H33  |
|Marrone Mimetico 53193  |:rgb=7A4A31:  |         |FS 30140 |LC UA85   |AV 71.035 |                      |AK RC224 |GSI H37  |
|Nero Opaco 12           |:rgb=111111:  |         |FS 37038 |          |AV 71.057 |TAM XF-1              |         |         |
|Nocciola Chiaro 4       |:rgb=C5B06C:  |         |FS 30219 |LC UA112  |AV 71.125 |TAM XF-60 / TAM XF-78 |AK RC225 |GSI H310 |
|Rosso Bandiera 8        |:rgb=581B0F:  |         |FS 31105 |LC LC06   |AV 71.084 |                      |AK RC218 |GSI H3   |
|Verde Anticorrosione    |:rgb=B4D5D0:  |         |FS 34558 |          |AV 71.305 |TAM XF-76             |AK RC303 |         |
|Verde Bandiera 9        |:rgb=1F563B:  |         |FS 34062 |LC LC12   |AV 70.980 |                      |         |GSI H6   |
|Verde Mimetico 1        |:rgb=73873C:  |         |FS 34258 |LC UA115  |AV 71.137 |                      |         |         |
|Verde Mimetico 2        |:rgb=2B5034:  |         |FS 34092 |LC UA008  |AV 71.124 |TAM XF-61             |AK RC230 |GSI H302 |
|Verde Mimetico 3        |:rgb=5E6C2F:  |         |FS 34102 |LC UA002  |AV 71.289 |                      |AK RC083 |GSI H303 |
|Verde Mimetico 53192    |:rgb=719C75:  |         |FS 34227 |LC UA85   |AV 71.126 |                      |AK RC232 |GSI H312 |
|Verde Oliva Scuro 2     |:rgb=33362B:  |         |FS 34052 |LC UA111  |AV 71.013 |TAM XF-27             |         |GSI H309 |
</description>
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      <title>Avia FL.3</title>
      <description />
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      <title>North American P-51D "Mustang"</title>
      <description />
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    <item>
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      <title>Spad VII C.1</title>
      <description>After the war Giorgio Pessi went to America as a pilot for their Ca.5 program and actually flew a bomber under the Brooklyn Bridge!</description>
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      <title>Messerschmitt Bf109 G-6</title>
      <description>This model was completed for the "Aircraft of the Aces" display at the Museum of Flight. It was shown as a hanger (strewn from the ceiling with fishing wire) in an aerial scene alongside a B-17F. The story represented was that - on December 20, 1943 - Luftwaffe ace Franz Stigler intercepted a crippled B-17F, and instead of shooting it down he escorted it over German occupied territory to land safely in England. The pilots of the two aircrafts eventually became friends after the war ended.</description>
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      <title>Autoblinda AB 40</title>
      <description />
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      <title>North American T-6 Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF)</title>
      <description />
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      <title>North American T-6 - Sweden Sk.16</title>
      <description />
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      <title>North American T-6 - Denmark Livery</title>
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      <title>North American T-6H4M "Harvard" IV - Aeronautica Militare Italiana</title>
      <description />
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      <title>Aeronautica Macchi C.200 "Saetta"</title>
      <description>Most modern Italian Regia Aeronautica fighter when Italy declared war against the Allies in 1940.</description>
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      <title>North American P-51D "Mustang"</title>
      <description>Conversion to double seater with Malcom hoods</description>
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      <title>Aeronautica Macchi C.200 "Saetta"</title>
      <description />
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      <title>Aeronautica Macchi C.202 "Folgore"</title>
      <description />
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      <title>Fiesler Fi156 "Storch"</title>
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      <title>FIAT 500 Abarth</title>
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      <title>Heinkel He 178 V-1</title>
      <description />
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      <title>Aeronautica Macchi C.205-N1 "Orione"</title>
      <description>Nel 41 l’ing. Mario Castoldi stava già studiando un nuovo velivolo per sostituire la linea di volo basata sul Mc.202. Fattore nuovo risultava la disponibilità del nuovo motore DB.605A, o l’equivalente nazionale costruito dalla Fiat, per cui la pressante richiesta di aerei per le linee di volo, che la guerra assottigliava di giorno in giorno, e non essendo ancora disponibile il nuovo aereo, costrinse la ditta a presentare nel 04/42 alla R.A. una proposta con la quale, mantenendo la struttura dell’esistente Mc.202, veniva utilizzato la nuova unità motrice con leggere modifiche del muso ( ogiva dell’elica, nuova elica P.2002 ed aggiunta di radiatori olio a barilotto esterni ). 

Questo modello, risultando una semplice evoluzione del modello già esistente ( infatti non vennero riservate Matricole Militari sperimentali per i prototipi, ma un proseguo di quelle definitive), venne inizialmente chiamato: Mc.202bis, e solo successivamente: Mc.205V (V = Veltro). Il vero nuovo velivolo, da considerarsi come appartenente alla Serie 5, venne tracciato dall’ing. Castoldi e chiamato: Mc.205N (N = Normale) e battezzato Orione. La fusoliera risultava allungata, rispetto al Mc.205V, a 9,549mt., mentre l’apertura alare risultava di 11,250mt con una superficie di 19,00mq.

I previsti 2 prototipi, immatricolati MM.499 e 500, vennero ordinati con commessa del 17/05/42 per £.2.000.000. Essi furono realizzati in tempi diversi e caratterizzati dal diverso armamento. La MM.499, chiamata I° tipo o Mc.205N-1, venne realizzata con un armamento simile al Mc.205V, ma integrata da altre 2 mitragliatrici Breda-Safat da 12,7mm posizionate ai lati della fusoliera, nella zona delle radici alari, e caratterizzate da una carenatura particolare. Effettuò il suo primo volo il 01/11/42 sulla base di Lonate Pozzolo (dove la Macchi aveva una struttura per l’assemblaggio finale dei velivoli ) con ai comandi il collaudatore Guido Carestiato. 

Successivamente in data 19/01/43 venne inviata a Guidonia per le valutazioni militari. La MM.500, chiamata II° tipo o Mc.205N-2, venne invece realizzata con 2 cannoni Maser da 20mm. alari e la rimozione delle mitragliatrici laterali in fusoliera. Effettuò il suo primo volo il 19/05 sempre a Lonate Pozzolo nelle mani di Carestiato. Venne successivamente trasferita a Guidonia nel 05/43. Nella prove di valutazione effettuate presso il Centro Sperimentale, il I° tipo risultò leggermente più veloce del G.55 e del Re.2005, ma meno maneggevole. Inoltre non convinceva la nuova sistemazione delle mitragliatrici laterali, per questo venne richiesto un diverso armamento, che venne realizzato con il II° tipo. Comunque il velivolo giunse tardi alle valutazioni, in quanto la Commissione aveva già prescelto, per la Serie 5, il G.55. 

Inoltre il II° tipo giunse a Guidonia troppo tardi, rispetto soprattutto agli avvenimenti che stavano maturando. Malgrado questi giudizi, vennero comunque emesse 2 commesse riservate al II° tipo: 

* Commessa del 25/01/43 alla Breda per 600 velivoli del valore di £.117.000.000 con contratto N°3355, a cui vennero assegnate le MM.93919/94518; 
* Commessa del 25/01/43 alla Macchi per 600 velivoli del valore di £.294.000.000 con contratto N°3380, a cui vennero assegnate le MM.94819/95418. 

Entrambe le commesse comunque vennero annullate nel 03/43, sostituendole con commesse per Mc.205V. 

Dei 2 velivoli, sorpresi dall’armistizio sull’aeroporto di Guidonia, non si hanno riscontri certi sulla loro fine. Probabilmente, dopo aver partecipato alla difesa aerea dello stesso aeroporto, furono o alienati dallo stesso personale della base per non farli cadere in mano a tedeschi, o distrutti dal bombardamento aereo alleato del 24/10. Non sembra essere veritiera la voce che asserisce che sia stati trasferiti dai tedeschi in Germania.</description>
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      <description>The first flight over Mount Everest was undertaken in April 1933 by two Westland aircraft. They were piloted by Douglas Douglas-Hamilton (then known as Lord Clydesdale) and David McIntyre,[1] with Stewart Blacker and Sidney Bonnett in the observer seats. The expedition was financed by Lucy, Lady Houston.

_- from [wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston%E2%80%93Mount_Everest_flight_expedition)_</description>
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      <title>USAF VC-137C Air Force One</title>
      <description />
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      <title>Cessna 180 "Spirit of Columbus"</title>
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      <title>Canadair CT114 Tutor</title>
      <description>Maryse Carmichael flew as Snowbird #3 in 2000 and 2001</description>
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      <title>North American P-51D "Mustang"</title>
      <description>Red Tails!</description>
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      <title>Curtiss P-40B "Warhawk"</title>
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      <title>Mikoyan MiG-29UB "Fulcrum"</title>
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      <title>Fiat G.55 "Centauro" Sottoserie 0</title>
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      <title>Messerschmitt Bf109 G-6</title>
      <description />
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      <title>Mitsubishi A6M2b Zero Fighter "Zeke"</title>
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      <title>Aeronautica Macchi C.204</title>
      <description>The Macchi C.204 was another design from engineer Mario Castoldi that never materialized. It was basically the fuselage of the C.202 Folgore prototype attached to an Isotta-Fraschini Asso L121 RC.40 that could deliver between 900 to 1000hp of power. However, in the previous studies that engine was deemed unappropiated  for an interceptor.

The fuselage was identical to the prototype of the C.202 except for the nose which was modified to host the Italian engine instead of the Daimler Benz which powered the original C.202 prototype. The expected armament was a pair of 12.7mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns placed in the nose, and, apparently initially it was expected to have a four-bladed propeller, however it was considered excessive for the ordinary power of the engine, that couldn't pass from the 1000hp of power.

_- from [warmachinesdrawn.com](https://warmachinesdrawn.blogspot.com/2017/04/macchi-c204.html)_</description>
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      <title>North American P-51D "Mustang"</title>
      <description>On February 10th the 4th Fighter Squadron P-51D Mustang “Bad Angel” was flying over Bataan Island in the Formosa Strait. USAAF Second Lieutenant Louis Curdes spots a C-47 Skytrain on approach to land at a Japanese airfield. After the C-47 fails to respond to his attempt to warn its pilots of their mistake, he shoots out its engines, forcing it to ditch offshore, and its passengers and crew take to life rafts. He then drops them a message telling them to keep away from shore. 

He and his wingman return to base, then fly back to the rafts before dawn the next morning to cover their rescue by PBY-5A Catalina. Upon returning to base, he discovers that he had been out on a date with a nurse aboard the plane the night before he shot it down. Although he sports an American flag on his P-51D to signify shooting down the C-47, he is not awarded an official kill, but he does receive an Oak Leaf Cluster to his Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal for his actions. 

He becomes the only American pilot to shoot down German, Italian, Japanese, and an American aircraft during World War II.</description>
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      <title>Savoia-Marchetti S.74 "Ala Littoria"</title>
      <description>The S.74 was a large airliner seating a maximum of 27 passengers. The photo seems to have been taken on 27 March 1935 when the prototype, I-URBE, was flown to Rome - Urbe airport. The three examples built served on the Rome - Marseille - Lyon - Paris route until 1938. They were then based in Tobruk in Libya and fully militarized in 1940. All three were lost during the war</description>
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      <title>Aeronautica Macchi C.202 "4º Baracca"</title>
      <description />
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      <title>Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb</title>
      <description>This Spitfire Mk.Vb was built by Vickers-Armstrong (Supermarine), Castle Bromwich. It was taken on strength with No.243 (F) Squadron on the 27th of June 1942 at R.A.F. Station Ouston, Northumberland. The squadron maintained a detachment at Greatham, Durham. Greatham was an alternate airfield for R.A.F. Station West Hartlepool. Spitfire EN821 briefly served with No.243 Squadron until transferred to No.65 'East India' (F) Squadron on the 28th of October 1942.</description>
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      <title>Autobianchi A112 Abarth</title>
      <description />
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      <title>Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Ia</title>
      <description />
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      <title>De Havilland Mosquito FB Mk.VI</title>
      <description />
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      <title>Fiat Ansaldo Carro Armato M13/40</title>
      <description />
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      <title>C.R.D.A. CANT Z.506 S "Soccorso"</title>
      <description>The air-sea rescue Z.506s suffered severe losses as many Allied pilots did not stop attacking them, even after they had spotted the red crosses. </description>
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      <description />
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      <title>RAF Air Sea Rescue Launch</title>
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      <title>Macchi M.5</title>
      <description>In the 1992 Japanese animated film "Porco Rosso", Marco's fighter when he served with the Italian Navy Aviation during World War I was a Macchi M.5.</description>
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      <title>Spad VII C.1</title>
      <description>After the war, Giorgio Pessi went to America as a pilot for their Ca.5 program and actually flew a bomber under the Brooklyn Bridge!</description>
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      <title>McDonnell Douglas CF-188 Hornet</title>
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      <title>Kawasaki Ki-61-I Hien</title>
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      <title>Fiat CR.25</title>
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      <title>Hawker Typhoon IB</title>
      <description />
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      <title>Aermacchi MB-339A PAN</title>
      <description />
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      <title>McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II Plus</title>
      <description>Armed with conventional or specific weapons the AV-8B II + can be used in offensive or defensive roles. Now with air-borne radar the AV-8B II + can deliver its ordnance day or night. The f-8B II + can be air refueled allowing it to be deployed for extended periods. In April, 1994 the Italian Navy (Marina Militare Italiana) received the first of the sixteen AV-8B Plus single-seat and two TAV-8B two-seater Harriers. The Harriers are based at Maristaer Grottaglie near Taranto, Italy. There are about 14 pilots assigned to the squadron that operates from the land base or onboard the light aircraft carrier GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI. The first landing of a Harrier on the Garibaldi took place in November 1994. Gruppo Aerei Imbarcati "The Wolves" the unit emblem is a ferocious wolf head. 

**Show results**

* 1st place in its category at the IPMS Seattle 2018 Spring Show, Apr 21 2018
</description>
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      <title>Messerschmitt Bf109 G-8 R2 Tactical Reconnaisance Fighter</title>
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      <title>Enzo Ferrari</title>
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      <title>Fiat 500F</title>
      <description />
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      <title>Lockheed Martin F-16A ADF block 15</title>
      <description />
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      <title>A modular storage system for planes</title>
      <description>It comes a time, in the life of a modeler, where one contemplates the vast array of built models and the massively larger stash hidden somewhere in the closet, or the garage.

While beautiful to look at, eventually all these built models tend to increase in numbers, and put a strain on the chronically limited shelving resources. So one starts to think "How do I store safely all these beautiful aircrafts, so they are protected and easily retrievable? Could I then make this storage contraption useful also for transporting them to and fro meetings and shows? How will I pay my next rent?"

Maybe the last question doesn't arise alongside the previous ones, but it has in this case. Funny, because I pay a mortgage and I'm not renting so... but I digress. Back to storage.

So, requirements:

1.  Capability to store a large number of models in a limited space
2.  Ability to be easily transportable
3.  Ability to be stacked and/or use existing shelving systems
4.  Cheap

If we were to deal with wargaming miniatures, there are plenty of existing systems. For example, Citadel produces [Pelican-style cases](https://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Warhammer-40-000?Nu=product.repositoryId&N=102352+534072661&qty=12&sorting=rec&view=table&categoryId=cat440130a-flat) that are perfect for all the above requirements (except for #4), but they're not suited for WWII propeller aircraft (yeah, that's my use case). Many other companies produce similar cases and storage systems, but they all have some kind of pluckable foam inside that is perfect for figures but definitely not ok for delicate antennas and guns.

So I had to think a bit out of the box. Or, well, find a box.

For requirements #2 to #4, I've always found some Ikea product to be my go-to :)

Who doesn't love the [Kallax storage system](http://www.ikea.com/us/en/search/?query=kallax)? It's inexpensive, sturdy(ish), comes in pretty colors, and can be built with a hex key, a hammer, and just a few drops of blood. Designed to fit in the Kallax shelves, one can find a number of compatible boxes, like the STRIKT - now discontinued -  or [TJENA ](http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30323782/)ones. I have a bunch of STRIKT boxes, so I used those, but this article applies equally to the TJENA ones.

So, what did I do?

*   First, I took the bottom of the box out and used it to measure and cut a few rectangles of foamcore. Each one of these will represent a "layer" for our storage system.
*   Then I arranged as many planes I could onto one of the layers. One one layer I was able to fit, with a bit of room, a Spitfire, a Bf 109, a Macchi 202, and a Reggiane 2000, all in 1:72 scale.
*   At this point I cut a bunch of 1/2"x3/4"x2" pieces of balsa wood, glued them together in pairs and stuck two large head nails on the small sides.
*   Then I positioned them under the wingtips of each model, careful not to interfere with pitot tubes and antennas, and used a small rubber band to secure the model to the supports.
*   With the supports in place, I super glued them to the foam core base. This needs to be done individually for each model, as they all have a different configuration. In they have a particularly high landing gear, you might have to make the supports taller.
*   Once all models are safely tied down to their supports, measure the highest point that they reach.Make sure to accommodate for rotating propellers and folding antennas (this would work for tanks too!). Cut four pieces of 1/2"x3/4" balsa wood with this measured length and super glue them vertically at the corners of the foam core. These will for the supports for the next layer.
*   Repeat this process until you reach the internal height of the STRIKT/TJENA box. It's good to be better safe than sorry here and have a bit of extra space.
*   Measure then from the top layer to where the lid would hit and cut four more spacers so the top layer is locked in place when the lid is closed.

You should be able to store 12 to 20 models per box, fewer if they are larger ones, and stack as many boxes as you want either freestanding or in a KALLAX/EXPEDIT shelving set.
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      <description>*Greg is looking to get into airbrushing after many years of paintbrush and rattle cans. I'll try to put down my experience so far in order to help him and others that may want to consider this step :)*

After my friend Marc's first foray into the weird world of airbrushing, I took the plunge into it about a year ago.

Now, three airbrushes, countless youtube video watches, and enough paper towels used to be indicted by greenpeace, I believe I started to understand how this all thing works. So here are my thoughts:

### 1. Air

Keeping the air supply mechanism affordable and reasonable, I got a [TC-20 compressor with tank and moisture trap](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001738DXU). The compressor works decently and it's not too noisy. I have it on a piece of cardboard on my office's carpet and I can use it with no issues before midnight. The advantage of a tank is that the compressor doesn't have to run constantly, it fills the tank and then you use that air until the pressure decreases to a point where the compressor kicks in again. Keeps things quiet. In addition, (but I'm not cool enough to notice these things), air coming from the tank has a smoother flow than if coming directly from the compressor, providing better control of the spray.

Anything else (two cylinders, CO2 tanks, etc) is probably overkill for us.

### 2. Airbrush

I went thru three airbrushes and I'm now planning to use them all in one way or another. The first one I got was a [Paasche VL](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00397TTTY). Decent tool, I don't use it much (for now), probably because when I got it I knew nothing. So, after reading countless reviews, I got a [Iwata Neo CN](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004INERK4) and proceeded to systematically destroy it by not knowing how to clean it. See below about cleaning, but let's just say that this is my favorite airbrush today; sturdy, simple, precise. Also, Iwata's 5 year warranty is like gold. I had the valve replaced twice at no cost, thanks guys!

The final - and most expensive - airbrush I got is the [Grex Tritium TG3](http://www.amazon.com/Grex-Tritium-TG3-Trigger-Gravity-Airbrush/dp/B002XQ2K5W). I bought it when I was sure that the Neo CN was dead for good (it wasnt! :) ) and needed something that would not turn me off airbrushing entirely. This is a really good tool, but a bit more complex and delicate than the Neo CN. I have used it for a couple of models, but I'm still building up the confidence to use it properly (if this makes sense).

Anyways, you can get a decent brush for about $60. Spend more when you want to take it up a notch, but that price level is perfectly serviceable.

### 3. Paints

You can't talk about paints without talking about thinners. By having to go thru the brush nozzle, airbrush paint needs to be quite a bit more liquid than regular brush paint. I use only acrylics, due to not having an easy air vent, and they all say you can thin acrylics with just water, they say.

Don't believe them! :)  Use the proper thinner for the paint brand you use. The chemical composition of them is designed to work better in those cases, even if water can be used in a pinch. After trying Vallejo, Vallejo Air, Lifecolor, Model Master and Tamiya, I came to the conclusion that *for me* Tamiya paint thinned with X-20 thinner present the most reliable solution. Model Master + water and Lifecolor + Lifecolor thinner are up there, while Vallejo is still giving me some issues; maybe my paints are just a bit old and I need fresh stuff anyways... in the end, you should MIX the paint in the cup with an old paintbrush by adding thinner until it reaches the consistency of milk. Maybe add a drop or two of [flow aid](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KNPM46/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1) to avoid paint drying up in the nozzle.

Tamiya acrylics are *kind of* water based, and they have some kind of lacquer base that makes them a bit more tolerable to airbrushes, I think.

Anyways, I'm still experimenting here but, for now, Tamiya+X-20 and Model Master+water is what's working for me.

### 4. Cleaning

The dreaded cleaning part.

Airbrushing is a lot of fun, but all that fun can be dismantled when it's time to clean up your tools. While you can simply dip your paintbrush in water, wipe it on a paper towel and call it a day, it seems like you can't do that with an airbrush.

There are three instances when you need to clean an airbrush: between colors, at the end of the session, and when you don't plan to airbrush for some time.

In the first case, dump the paint that's still in the cup, wipe the inside with a paper towel, add some airbrush cleaning liquid (I use the [Tamiya Airbrush cleaner](https://www.amazon.com/Tamiya-87089-Airbrush-Cleaner-250ml/dp/B000OT0GJM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1457976927&sr=8-4&keywords=tamiya+airbrush)) and spray it out into a container until it comes out clean. You can use a container designed for that (like the [Iwata cleaning station](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VADIVC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1)) or just a mug covered with a paper towel. Then add the new color and paint away. A trick to clean the channel between the paint cup and the nozzle is to use a paper towel to block the flow of air from the nozzle, push some air (be careful here) and see that bubbles start forming up in the cup. This backdraft cleans the channel; just don't push anything dirty thru this channel again and dump the paint in the cup right away.

In the second case, you want to break down all the paint residue in the nozzle. For that, do the steps above and then leave some cleaner in the cup for at least 30 minutes. Spray it out and repeat until it comes out clean.

In the third case, you'll want to disassemble the airbrush and do a deep clean of all the parts. Try not to mess with the valve, as that's where the all-important o-rings are, and those are very sensitive to harsh cleaner.

### 5. Other stuff

*   **Hose quick disconnect** - if you have more than an airbrush, you should invest into a quick release disconnect. I have the [Grex G-MAC valve](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002XQ2K84?keywords=grex%20quick&qid=1457977422&ref_=sr_1_4&sr=8-4) that has a neat added bonus: a pressure regulator right by the airbrush handle. With most compressors, it's hard to finely tweak the air pressure, especially if they're in less than accessible positions. With this valve, you can fine tune it constantly. I would posit that this is the most important tool to improve your airbrushing experience.
*   **Spraying booth** - weird as it may sound, paint particles do not help your lungs' health or the fine furnishing of your studio. Get a spray booth (I got [this one](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NLQ019A/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1)) and - if possible - vent it outside. Even if you don't vent it, the overspray is trapped by the air filter.
*   **Wet the tool first** - do not start painting with a dry airbrush. Just before putting in your paint, add a couple of drops of anything (water, thinner, cleaner) and spray it out, so needle and nozzle do not provide a dry surface where paint, especially acrylics, can stick.

Well, that is all for now, let me know if this helps and if you have any comments. As I mentioned, I am still learning a lot here and don't pretend to be any kind of authority. This setup just works for me, right now, but it's in constant evolution :)
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      <description>Just a very quick reminder that I (and this blog) am not dead yet :)

As a recap, my [F/A-18E](/kits/0008) is displayed at the [Museum of Flight](https://www.museumofflight.org/), I went on a very nice vacation across Europe on Christmas, and I'm working on a number of new builds on my :rap: and on other topics.

Here are some photos of what I did lately and what's going to be posted in the future...
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      <description>On the modelling front...

The diorama I'm building for my father in law has entered the final stretch. Figure and chopper are done, the perforated steel plank base is primed and I'm just waiting to find out a suitable glass case in order to determine the overall size of the base I'll need to build.

![](/uploads/blog/images/quick-update-4.png)

Original photo:

![](/uploads/blog/images/quick-update-1.jpg)

The "other" project (building a [IMAM Ro.57](https://www.scalemates.com/kits/103723-special-hobby-sh72082-imam-romeo-ro-57) for the :rap:), is also proceeding swimmingly, with an *hilarious* adventure in pre-shading (spoiler alert: it will turn out better than expected)

![](/uploads/blog/images/quick-update-3.jpg)

And last but not least, the next big project arrived: the [1:350 Trumpeter RM Roma](https://www.scalemates.com/kits/102921-trumpeter-05318-italian-navy-battleship-rn-roma) with all bells and whistles (extra detail Trumpeter pack, aftermarket wood deck, Lifecolor accurate color set...)

First ship I'm going to build since I built the [1:600 Airfix HMS Belfast](https://www.scalemates.com/kits/222391-airfix-04212-3-h-m-s-belfast) in 1973, this is going to be interesting :)

![](/uploads/blog/images/quick-update-2.jpg)</description>
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      <title>My father in law in Vietnam</title>
      <description />
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      <title>Reggiane Re.2000 “Falco I” serie III Catapultabile</title>
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      <description>It's been a couple of months since I came back to aircraft modelling and one month since I started the :rap:.

Let's see if I can take stock of what I've learned...

#### Spitfire Mk.VII

:kit=0002:

This was the "comeback kit". I used an airbrush on a plane for the first time, used weathering techniques I developed working on Warhammer 40k figures and built a fancy little display base. Overall, a decent first effort, even if I didn't adventure into the aftermarket world...

_New stuff_

* Airbrush painting
* Display base

#### Messerschmitt Bf109G-6

:kit=0003:

Speaking of aftermarket, this kit had a highly detailed resin cockpit. This was my first approach at working with photoetched parts, and I have to say there's more work to be done in that area... I also used the airbrush to lay down the primer and - while it worked really nicely - I'm not sure it beats significantly the convenience of the Tamiya primer spray can.

The other challenging aspect was the painting: I used a LifeColor set of RLM acrylics for the initial scheme. Mottling the sides of the fuselage, however, was a disaster; mostly because I had yet to figure out the right way to use an airbrush to do detailed work. I also learned how to remove dried paint from a model (protip: Q-tips dabbed in airbrush cleaner :) ). Eventually I managed to "aspirationally" replicate a faded camo scheme on the sides that is ok, for now.

Last new thing here was the use of Pledge floor polish for the gloss finish. And also another nice display base.

_New stuff_

* Mottling
* Resin cockpit
* Pledge floor polish

#### Aer.Macchi C.205

:kit=0005:

Then I started my grandiose :rap: with a kit that I considered a throwaway test. I got this at the :skyway: in a ziploc bag, with a blade of the propeller broken. The kit is fairly old, so it doesn't have all those modern touches like detailed interior or finely etched panel lines. Actually, the panel lines were raised, so I sanded them down and rescribed the wings and the fuselage.

Also, the intake of the air filter was missing from the kit, so I had to rebuild it with a plastic rod, properly sanded down to shape.

The next challenge was executing the weird camo schemes that the Regia Aeronautica used during WWII.  Doing it properly with the smoke rings effect was still beyond my capabilities, so I used a similar - but mostly fictional - scheme, with some kind of green polka dots.

_New stuff_

* Scribing panel lines
* Parts scratchbuilding
* First attempt to Italian camo scheme

#### Fiat CR.42

:kit=0006:

It was then time to take this camo painting seriously. The candidate for this experiment was another kit I got at :skyway:, this time in its box but with most parts already cut (ah, the joys of trying to do non-mainstream stuff...).

Building the kit itself wasn't a big problem, except for the proper alignment of the upper and lower wings. The key thing here was properly executing the D3 camo schema of the Regia Aeronautica.

After a lot of trial and error, I was finally able to achieve that. Maybe not at the standard you can see at the highest level, but it's not something I would have dreamed two months ago.

Progress :)

_New stuff_

* Regia Aeronautica D3 camo scheme
* EZ-line rigging </description>
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      <description>Just a bit of a departure from all these modelling posts, but somehow related.

I wanted to show my stash and my wishlist on my website (this one you're reading now). I maintain those lists on the the incredibly excellent Scalemates site, run by Tim Vereeke, and I didn't want to duplicate this data on multiple sites...

So I contacted Tim and asked if it was possible to have his site generate a RSS feed of my lists. After a bit of trial and error (mostly to render the generated RSS in Wordpress), I have two pages (Models stash and (Models wishlist) that read the feed and display it in a lovely way.

My feeds are  [here](http://www.scalemates.com/profiles/stashfeed.php?id=19629&p=stash) for my stash and [here](http://www.scalemates.com/profiles/stashfeed.php?id=19629&p=wishlist) for my wishlist. You can replace 19629 with your user id on Scalemates, and you should be able to get a RSS chunk that represents the contents of those lists.

Very nifty, very powerful, very useful :)

Thanks Tim! </description>
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      <title>The Regia Aeronautica Project</title>
      <description>This project aims to build some of the most important and iconic aircrafts used by the [Regia Aeronautica](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regia_Aeronautica#World_War_II) between 1940 until the September 1943 armistice. After that date, Italian air forces split into the Royalist [Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Co-Belligerent_Air_Force) (*[Aviazione Cobelligerante Italiana](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Co-Belligerent_Air_Force)*, or ACI) and the [National Republican Air Force](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeronautica_Nazionale_Repubblicana) (*[Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeronautica_Nazionale_Repubblicana)*, or ANR) that flew for the [Italian Social Republic](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Social_Republic) and the Axis.

While this is a blog post, I'll try to keep it updated for new planes or the status of current builds.

### Current entries

(most recent at the top)

:listbytag=Regia Aeronautica:

###  References

*   [An Italian documentary](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEDwRcWEvKU)
*   [A series of photos](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2fPjrUsNIA)
*   [I colori della Regia Aeronautica](colorschemes.html) (reference document in Italian)
*   [List of Regia Aeronautica aircraft used in World War II](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Regia_Aeronautica_aircraft_used_in_World_War_II) (from wikipedia)
*   [Aerostoria](http://aerostoria.blogspot.com/)
*   [Flying Lions](http://www.flyinglions.eu/)</description>
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      <description>In my weekly visit to the :skyway:, I finally got my [Special Hobby 1:72 Fiat G.55](https://www.scalemates.com/kits/112267-special-hobby-sh72110-fiat-g-55-sotoserie-0), a [Supermodel 1:72 Macchi C.205 Veltro](https://www.scalemates.com/kits/170287-supermodel-10-013-aer-macchi-c-205-veltro) unboxed, some [Hasegawa pilot figures](https://www.scalemates.com/kits/158976-hasegawa-35008-w-w-ii-pilot-figure-set) and two Fujimi kits to provide some flavor to the display bases: a [Kubelwagen ](https://www.scalemates.com/kits/385185-fujimi-38036-kubelwagen)(a type 82 that comes with a BMW R75 sidecar, a howitzer and some figures), and a [Panzer I](https://www.scalemates.com/kits/224418-fujimi-38027-panzer-i) (that also comes with a BMW R75 sidecar).

I'm pondering exploring the Regia Aeronautica (Italian air force) during WW2... I have a decent start with three planes and there were not too many produced :)</description>
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      <description>While working on the Messerschmitt Bf109G-6, I managed to get ahold of an Hasegawa 1:72 [Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero Fighter Type 32](https://www.scalemates.com/kits/121789-hasegawa-51316-mitsubishi-a6m3-zero-fighter-type-32). A used kit that I got at the :skyway: and that came with a [Eduard A6M5c Zero resin cockpit](https://www.scalemates.com/kits/118861-eduard-ss200-a6m5c-zero) and Hawkeye Designs photoetched parts. Total deal.</description>
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      <description>My stash so far:

*   [Spitfire Mk.VII & Mosquito FB Mk.IV "Operation Overlord"](http://www.hasegawausa.com/product-pages/hsgs2096.html) - Hasegawa 02096, 1:72 scale. Limited edition double kit issued for the anniversary of D-Day in 2014. Doesn't look too hard, but it will be great to get my old skills back.
*   [Ferrari Enzo](http://www.revell.com/model-kits/cars/85-2192.html#.VU6jhrpVhBc) - Revell 85-2192, 1:24 scale. Not as complex or detailed as the Tamiya one, but still something good to learn how to deal with large polished surfaces
*   [Reggiane Re-2000 ,,I. serie in service of Regia Aeronautica](http://kits.kitreview.com/sh72079reviewgp_1.htm) - Special Hobby SH72079, 1:72 scale. Limited release of an Italian early WWII plane, this will be tricky to build, but has resin and photoetched parts, plus two vacuformed canopies. Also the paintjob is already causing me convulsions.
*   [P-51C Mustang "Yellow Tail"](http://www.oldmodelkits.com/index.php?detail=1717) - Hasegawa AP12, 1:72 scale. 1993 model that doesn't look too complex to build, but the tricky part will be the steel polished finish.
*   [Messerschmitt Bf109-G6 "Grislawsky"](http://www.amazon.com/Hasegawa-Messerschmitt-109G-6-Grislawski-Plastic/dp/B00OL9YBKQ) - Hasegawa 00267, 1:72 scale. Another fine kit with a scary paintjob, this one came with the [Aires 7008](https://www.scalemates.com/kits/150826-aires-7008-bf-109g-cockpit-set) resin and photoetched cockpit kit.

The final three kits were traded or purchased from the fine members of the :ipms: chapter on 9-May-2015, during my first attendance to their monthly meetings. Very fun group, I'll be back next month!
</description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/2015/05/back-from-the-dark-years</guid>
      <link>/2015/05/back-from-the-dark-years</link>
      <title>Back from the dark years</title>
      <description>Hi again, it's me. Again.

The "dark years" is a term allegedly coined by Lego to describe that period of time in one's life between childhood and full adulthood.

Between when you saw Legos as Christmas toys and when you go out and buy yourself a $800 Lego Star Destroyer and say to the same self: "That's right, I am not ashamed of this!"

Not to say that I went out and bought hundreds of dollars in Lego Star Wars (or other licensed) gear, but - for a couple of years, now - I went back to revisit one of my favorite hobbies from my childhood: plastic modeling.

I have a bunch of kits I'm building now and I have approached the hobby side of Warhammer 40,000 (alas, I'm not very good at the game itself).

I posted a bunch of photos and notes about my Wharhammer 40,000 models at http://crankyoldgamer.net/CrankyBlog/forums/, but now that I am expanding my scope to aircraft and armor models, I felt I needed my own space to document my projects.

So here it is. </description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/2015/04/old-flames</guid>
      <link>/2015/04/old-flames</link>
      <title>Old flames</title>
      <description>:cog:

![](/uploads/blog/images/old-flames-0.jpg)

We meet again, [old friend](https://www.scalemates.com/kits/revell-85-5320-mosquito-mk-iv--154926) :)

### Update on April 24, 2015

Oh, [hello you](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001738DXU/) ;)

### Update on May 26, 2015

Greg, I'm trying to put together some posts at http://www.paolomarcucci.com ...

Let's see for how long I last there </description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/2015/01/tyranids-color-scheme</guid>
      <link>/2015/01/tyranids-color-scheme</link>
      <title>Tyranids color scheme</title>
      <description>:cog:

Not being used to paint nids, I was looking around and came across this one today. It does have a kind of a lobstery feel to it, and I like it a lot! :)

![](/uploads/blog/images/tyranids-color-scheme-0.jpg)

![](/uploads/blog/images/tyranids-color-scheme-1.jpg)</description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/kits/0001/</guid>
      <link>/kits/0001/</link>
      <title>Enzo Ferrari</title>
      <description />
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/kits/0004/</guid>
      <link>/kits/0004/</link>
      <title>Kubelwagen</title>
      <description />
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/kits/0181/</guid>
      <link>/kits/0181/</link>
      <title>Imperial Knight</title>
      <description />
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/2014/07/fall-2014-hobby-challenge</guid>
      <link>/2014/07/fall-2014-hobby-challenge</link>
      <title>Fall 2014 hobby challenge</title>
      <description>:cog:

Summer is the killer of commitments.

Besides being a bit busy shipping a phone, and enjoying a delightful vacation to Tuscany, I confess that I've slacked. A lot. So, I decided to get back on the saddle and try to finish my Dark Angels.

I am fairly close, at this point; putting the final touches on two Land Raiders, building an Imperial Knight, building pretty much my whole Ravenwing company, completing the scout company, and a drop pod.

Technically, I'd need three more rhinos, two drop pods and two dreadnoughts to field a fully fleshed set of companies, but that may have to wait.

So!

For the 2014 fall season, I pledge to complete all the models I have listed above.

FOR THE LION!

### Updated on August 10, 2014

Some progress on my Deathwing Knights transport...

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-28.jpg)

### Updated on August 10, 2014

It's like watching mud dry...

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-29.jpg)

### Updated on August 12, 2014

Done!

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-37.jpg)

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-36.jpg)

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-35.jpg)

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-34.jpg)

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-33.jpg)

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-32.jpg)

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-31.jpg)

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-30.jpg)

### Updated on August 20, 2014

Last night I noticed that, with the completion of the Land Raider, my 1st company is completed (as in, I have no slots to fill or other models to finish, but I can always add stuff later).

Feels good

### Updated on August 23, 2014

Third Land Raider is done. Getting close to complete the Armory, but I have ran out of models for that (still need two drop pods and two dreadnoughts).

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-27.jpg)

### Updated on August 23, 2014

And so it begins...

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-11.jpg)

### Updated on August 24, 2014

Tried some Krylon paint I had left over from last year Halloween pumpkin painting experiment. Looks pretty good and it'll look better after a judicious application of nuln oil...

Greg: I could use those DA models, how much for them?

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-12.jpg)

### Updated on August 24, 2014

Moar progress. This is actually a very cool kit...

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-13.jpg)

### Updated on August 24, 2014

Can't stop, won't stop.

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-14.jpg)

### Updated on August 26, 2014

OMG RED!

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-15.jpg)

### Updated on August 27, 2014

Freehanding. Not completely hideous...

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-16.jpg)

### Updated on August 27, 2014

Moar freehanding. I'm done for the night

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-17.jpg)

### Updated on August 31, 2014

Top carapace mostly done. Still some details on the silvery frame around the armour plates but we're getting close.

Also the Krast gauntlet crushing the Golden Serpent came out pretty nice

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-18.jpg)

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-19.jpg)

### Updated on August 31, 2014

Moar pictars! The amount of detail work required by this kit is crazy. But I'm vary happy with how it's turning out...

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-25.jpg)

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-26.jpg)

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-20.jpg)

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-21.jpg)

### Updated on September 8, 2014

Fancy new troops arrived during the weekend: a full 10 men Assault squad, two Razorbacks and a dreadnought.

All have been primed Caliban green and are waiting to be completed this week, when the other Rhino (for the 1st Veteran Squad) and dreadnought (to complete the lance) will arrive.

eBay, I hate you

### Updated on September 8, 2014

In other news, if the new Space Hulk rumors are true, I'm getting a set. In that case, what would be the best way to get one? Online?

### Updated on September 8, 2014

And it goes without saying that, if they're still Blood Angels, they'll be quickly converted into Deathwing, of course.

### Updated on September 12, 2014

Damage done. Ordered Space Hulk, should be here on the 20th

### Updated on September 13, 2014

Current stuff on deck: 1 assault squad, 1 rhino, 2 razorback, 2 dreadnoughts, 1 knight errant.

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-38.jpg)

### Updated on September 25, 2014

Oh welcome back, my old friend

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-42.jpg)

### Updated on September 29, 2014

Some progress. Right arm weapons are fully magnetized, there's the paint job on the chainsaw to be done and some detailing on rivets and such, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-22.jpg)

### Updated on October 5, 2014

Little experiment putting a primed dread in front of my monitor...

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-3.jpg)

### Updated on October 5, 2014

And here's Headtaker, from House Krast.

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-23.jpg)

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-24.jpg)

### Updated on October 6, 2014

It's my left monitor wallpaper (see the little mouse pointer on the left?). I put a small box in front of it, the knight on top and just took a photo with the phone at level.

The ...sun... is actually the reflection on the matte display of my work lamp

### Updated on October 26, 2014

Some more work done on my assault squads. Some more detailing, some decals, a nice bath in QuickShade, dullcote, base paint and they should be ready.

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-0.jpg)

### Updated on November 5, 2014

Not enough, apparently...

*...Dark Angels: A Dark Vengeance Expansion Set -> ...85, $140 USD, ...110 9 miniatures (Includes a Ravenwing Command Squad, 5 Deathwing Knights and a Dark Talon)...*

From http://spikeybitsblog.com/2014/11/new-marine-releases-for-next-week.html

The assault squads are done, now finishing the three rhino/predators and two dreadnoughts to finally complete the 3rd company.

### Updated on November 5, 2014

http://i0.wp.com/waaaghgaming.de/wordpress.waaaghgaming/wordpress_live_6Fu8/wp-content/uploads/new_releases_3.jpg

Finally some air support?

### Updated on November 5, 2014

After some rough calculations, I might have 9000+ points between painted and not. 7821 points are painted.

### Updated on November 18, 2014

9,422 to be precise. Plus another couple of characters that I've yet to assemble at 325 points.

Dark-Angels-chapter

### Updated on November 19, 2014

I think I'm ok with 4 companies plus some assorted detachments

### Updated on December 9, 2014

Just something whipped up while waiting for the QuickShade to dry on the chapter command squad...

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-2.jpg)

### Updated on December 26, 2014

Well, that completes my plan for my Dark Angels. Anything extra is going to be... extra

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-43.jpg)

### Updated on December 26, 2014

So, better a Land Speeder Vengeance or a Ravenwing Darkshroud?

### Updated on December 26, 2014

More work in progress. Asmodai is slowly getting painted, while Ezekiel waits for the Quickshade to dry.

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-1.jpg)

### Updated on January 3, 2015

Thank you

As a PSA, let it be known that Quickshade and Dullcote are not 100% compatible. For some reason, spraying Dullcote even after 48 hours on a Quickshaded model will create some crackling on large flat surfaces. I used Vallejo brush-on matte varnish on my latest model and it worked fine, next one I'll try my old can of GW purity seal and see how that works...

### Updated on January 3, 2015

My latest finished models, from the left:

... Sapphon, grand master of the Chaplaincy (old metal Asmodai model from 1995, thanks eBay!) ... Ezekiel, grand master of the Librarium (metal) ... Asmodai (finecast)

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-39.jpg)

### Updated on January 3, 2015

And finally we start with the 2nd company, the Ravenwing. These are the six bikes of the 2nd Attack Squadron, they'll be supplemented by an attack bike and a land speeder.

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-40.jpg)

### Updated on January 4, 2015

Ok, now that the Ravenwing is underway (see sgt. Hortensius of the 2nd Attack Squadron below), I'm starting to think about my little imperial guard platoon.

Remember those Vor: The Maelstrom minis?

I was thinking to depart a bit from the obvious green color scheme, so I got a can of Wolf Grey primer. With some black, blue and light grey accents, it would show up similar to the current US navy camo schemes...

The platoon would be composed by:

* Platoon commander
* Command squad
* 1st squad (ten men with boltguns, two of them manning a missile launcher)
* 2nd squad (ten men with boltguns, two of them manning a missile launcher)
* 3rd squad (ten men with boltguns)
* 4th squad (ten men with boltguns)
* 5th squad (ten men with boltguns)
* Armoured sentinel squad (two sentinels with autocannons and missile launchers)

Before I think about this too much, any suggestions?

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-41.jpg)

### Updated on January 15, 2015

Here are the two rosters. 10642 points of Dark Angels and 440 points of Astra Militarum.

* Dark-Angels-roster
* Imperial-Guard-roster

### Updated on January 15, 2015

For the Astra Militarum detachment, here are the commander and the command squad.

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-5.jpg)

1st infantry squad with missile launcher heavy weapons team.

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-6.jpg)

2nd infantry squad with missile launcher heavy weapons team.

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-7.jpg)

3rd infantry squad.

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-8.jpg)

4th infantry squad.

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-9.jpg)

5th infantry squad.

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-10.jpg)

7th armoured sentinels squad.

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2014-hobby-challenge-4.jpg)
</description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/2013/12/cheap-bits-from-the-uk</guid>
      <link>/2013/12/cheap-bits-from-the-uk</link>
      <title>Cheap bits from the UK</title>
      <description>:cog:

Interesting company that sells some very cheap bases, weapons and a very interesting mobile weapons platform.

http://www.pdcgaming.co.uk/ </description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/2013/11/fall-2013-hobby-challenge</guid>
      <link>/2013/11/fall-2013-hobby-challenge</link>
      <title>Fall 2013 hobby challenge</title>
      <description>:cog:

Besides compiling the 8000 pts army list and completing the army itself, I thought it would be nice if we were to create better objective markers for our armies.

So, here's my challenge: create 1 relic, 5 objective markers and 6 mistery markers (the ones with the number on one side) following the Dark Angels theme by next phase.

Some examples: 

* <a href="http://berkswarhammer40k.blogspot.com/2009/04/objective-markers.html" rel="nofollow">http://berkswarhammer40k.blogspot.com/2009/04/objective-markers.html</a>
* <a href="http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2009/07/40k-hobby-objective-markers.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2009/07/40k-hobby-objective-markers.html</a>
* <a href="http://www.sabolstudios.com/warhammer-40k-models/objective-markers" rel="nofollow">http://www.sabolstudios.com/warhammer-40k-models/objective-markers</a>
* <a href="http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/214773.page" rel="nofollow">http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/214773.page</a>
* <a href="http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/46753-objective%20markers.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/46753-objective%20markers.html</a>
* <a href="http://www.40kforums.com/vb/showthread.php/10410-Chaos-Objective-Markers" rel="nofollow">http://www.40kforums.com/vb/showthread.php/10410-Chaos-Objective-Markers</a>

Updated on November 3, 2013

I failed already.

Gents, let me introduce you to the land speeder Namaan, part of the 4th Ravenwing Attack Squadron, piloted by brother Didius and brother Flavius at the heavy bolter.

Let it be recorded as my first completed Ravenwing model

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-000.jpg)

Updated on November 3, 2013

Okfine. These are the ones used in the Scouring missions, they should all look the same but they have numbers on the back.

I'll work on the other ones later

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-001.jpg)

Updated on November 8, 2013

Slowly picking up all those little tasks left unfinished...

All Deathwing dreadnoughts weapons are now complete! One more thing off my ever-expanding plate

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-002.jpg)

Updated on November 8, 2013

Oh, sergeant Abdiel... are you bringing two new Termie squads to the Deathwing? Are you really?

How nice of you

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-003.jpg)

Updated on November 13, 2013

Shamelessly stolen. Thanks Marc

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-004.jpg)

Updated on December 21, 2013

Azrael ready for the finishing touches.

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-005.jpg)

Updated on December 29, 2013

Mistery boxes. What could possibly be used for?

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-006.jpg)

Updated on December 30, 2013

Close

3rd Company Command Squad and Company Master Baradiel

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-007.jpg)

Updated on December 31, 2013

I tried to cut one inch circles to fit the minis standing but it didn't work for a number of reasons. Now it's just 1/2" foam cut to fit the bottom and top of the boxes. Once closed, the minis do not move but they're not crushed.

Now I'll paint the boxes in the appropriate colors, green, bone white, black, etc, and stick description, points and maybe some rules under the bottom for easy reference

Updated on January 1, 2014

All together now!

WE LOVE ORBITAL STRIKES! WE LOVE ORBITAL STRIKES! NUKE IT FROM ORBIT! IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO BE SURE!

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-008.jpg)

Updated on January 3, 2014

There are pretty much no weapons on this vehicle. There's a large antenna on the top and I plan to leave the cowl unglued so you can see the inside.

Maybe i can magnetize that, we'll see...

Updated on January 3, 2014

Makes sense. But what about tomorrow, when Sol will get me my Sammael? How will I be able to stop procrastinating my Ravenwing?

Updated on January 3, 2014

Also, I had to glue the internal compartment of the tank together so it fits square, but now the space is really tight and I am not sure spraying it bone white would actually get decent coverage.

It may be time to resurrect my airbrush and finally have it do something interesting

Updated on January 4, 2014

Apparently my airbrush was still working. It's a tad bit darker than what I wanted, but it'll do

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-009.jpg)

Updated on January 4, 2014

And now the control panels are done. They look a lot less messy in real life

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-010.jpg)

Updated on January 4, 2014

In other news...

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-011.jpg)

Updated on January 26, 2014

Damocles done. Using Vallejo pigments for the mud and Tamiya weathering powders (no, it's not makeup, honey) for rust and paint scratches.

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-012.jpg)

Updated on February 18, 2014

Am I crazy for lusting after one (or two, or three) of those rumoured Knights?

Updated on February 21, 2014

At $140 each, it's a bit of a problem...

So. How would you work one of those in a Dark Angels army? Are knights talked about in any book?

Updated on February 27, 2014

Digital White Dwarf acquired. Imperial Knight on order. Now, to pick a scheme/house...

Updated on March 1, 2014

Oh, hello there.

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-013.jpg)

Updated on March 2, 2014

No, that would be it but I have mountains of models to finish. I need to do them before tackling this...

Updated on March 9, 2014

The armorium is growing!

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-014.jpg)

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-015.jpg)

Updated on March 9, 2014

Moar progress! (technically, this is from the Deathwing, not the Armorium...)

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-016.jpg)

Updated on March 11, 2014

The green one is a vanilla Land Raider (with double lascannons and twin-linked heavy bolters), the bone one is a redeemer/crusader. Still thinking if I want to magnetize the sponsons...

In the photo above, the doors are just held together with bluestuff for painting.

Updated on March 13, 2014

Still undecided on the house/scheme. I was thinking the house of Krast (http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/House_Krast) because of the mutual ...annoyance... with Chaos forces. Their history kinda mirrors the fall of Caliban, so it could be a match.

Thoughts?

Updated on March 13, 2014

Specifically, this scheme:

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-017.jpg)

pdated on March 15, 2014

Apparently somebody had a very similar idea (expand to full screen, the text is readable)

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-018.jpg)

Updated on March 17, 2014

Very cool, very cool.

Greg! We'll need bigger tables!

Updated on April 13, 2014

Aren't they pretty?

Yeah, I got some time back!

Updated on April 23, 2014

http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/tag/4426402946.html

Guy has not replied yet

Updated on May 11, 2014

Spent some hours today with Bart, reintroducing him to the hobby. In the meanwhile...

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-019.jpg)

Updated on May 18, 2014

Aaand... we're done.

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-020.jpg)

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-021.jpg)

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-022.jpg)

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-023.jpg)

Updated on May 18, 2014

Moar.

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-024.jpg)

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-025.jpg)

Updated on May 26, 2014

Look at them all shiny waiting for the Quickshade to dry up

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-026.jpg)

Updated on May 26, 2014

I tried the drill method for those.

Basically, get a large screw or nail, put in the drill bit and then use some heavy duty double sided tape to attach a mini to it. Dip it as it is in the quickshade, let it drip for a second and then put the drill head in a large paper bag.

Go at it for 20 seconds and it's done. Less messy than shaking it and it can be done inside.

Note: doesn't work well for metal minis

Updated on May 27, 2014

I have to say, QuickShade (drill method) + Dullcote is excellent.

Updated on May 29, 2014

Yes. I can do demos if needed

Updated on June 8, 2014

Well, it's still missing a Land Raider (wip), but here's the 1st company, the Deathwing.

Let's start with HQ

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-027.jpg)

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-028.jpg)

Updated on June 8, 2014

Now elites

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-029.jpg)

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-030.jpg)

Updated on June 8, 2014

And then the terminator squads.

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-031.jpg)

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-032.jpg)

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-033.jpg)

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-034.jpg)

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-035.jpg)

Updated on June 15, 2014

Well yeah, that's it.

36 terminators, one watcher in the dark, 3 dreadnoughts, one land raider.

Updated on June 18, 2014

Well, I would need a proper setting for that. Doing the ...fashion shots... on your battletable would be perfect

Updated on June 22, 2014

So, I got this guy all basecoated and mostly painted up. The problem is that I can apply nuln oil to the silver/steel parts but what should it do with the body? It's probably too big for QuickShade, and I'm going to do some weathering on the edges, but how do I deal with the big flat surfaces?

![](/uploads/blog/images/fall-2013-hobby-challenge-036.jpg)
</description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/2013/09/october-2013-game-day</guid>
      <link>/2013/09/october-2013-game-day</link>
      <title>October 2013 game day</title>
      <description>:cog:

So yeah, I'm back. I got my fill of Roman history that I forgot since junior high and couldn't fail to notice the constant references and similarities between our Astartes and Roman soldiers... :)

Anyays, about this campaign rules?

**Updated on October 21, 2013**

### Siege of Thrax ... Phase I ... Imperium / Dark Angels

* Location: Thrax Primaris
* Mission: Crusade
* Deployment size: 2000pts
* Deployment type: Hammer and anvil
* Opposing force: Orks ... Marc Racine
* Warlord: Belial
* Turns: 6
* Result: 1-5 Loss. Got 1st Blood, took 6 units

Fielded units (Unit: Survival rate)

* Belial (Warlord): 0%
* Librarian Quinctilius: 0%
* 1st Deathwing Company ... 1st Deathwing Knights Livius: 40%
* 1st Deathwing Company ... 2nd Deathwing Terminator Squad Lucius (Reserve): 0%
* 3rd Battle Company ... 2nd Tactical Squad Hilaria: 0%
* 3rd Battle Company ... 3rd Tactical Squad Ovidius: 10%
* 3rd Battle Company ... 9th Devastator Squad Numerius: 80%
* 3rd Battle Company ... 10th Devastator Squad Harut: 50%
* Land Raider ...Bene Elhoim...: 0%

#### Battle report

From: <unreadable scrawling> To: Valeria

Dearest,

I'm writing you this letter now that finally brother Harut has closed his eyes. The wounds were too terrible and I had to administer him the last of my surgifoam just to make sure the apothecary can recover something, anything, from his body. Brother Hesediel is now in charge of the 10th, and he called for extraction too long ago. We're watching the orange sky in the east for signs of the Thunderhawks, but all we can hear are the thunder of greenskins' rockets blasting away at our Aegis.

The day started well enough, with the 9th and 10th squads deployed just east of Thrax Primaris oriental wall, in perfect overlapping fields of fire, while the Land Raider Bene Elhoim and the Rhinos of the 2nd and 3rd squads were advancing towards our objectives. The combined might of our weapons laid waste to the disgusting red tide of xenos in remarkable order, and it looked like another glorious day for the Lion.

The first large explosion in this valley was an Ork trukk, destroyed by a barrage of missiles from the first team of the 10th, I think brothers Terentius and Viritribia (if we survive this, we'll have to add this honor to our squad banner). But even that explosion was the harbinger of how the battle would evolve; instead of blowing up to pieces and destroy nearby enemy vehicles, the flaming hulk went careening into the 2nd squad's Rhino and then exploded right in front of brother Vergilius.

The Emperor protects, they say, and maybe Vergilius was due for a worse fate. Maybe.

That was the first of a series of dreadful events for our battle brothers. First the explosion hid the assault from the enemy's warlord towards the Land Raider Bene Elhoim (which ultimately ended in the crippling of the holy machine), then, just when the 1st Deathwing Knights led by the Grand Master of the Deathwing, Belial himself, was advancing to strengthen the position of the 3rd squad on a key objective, the drop pod carrying the 2nd Deathwing Terminator squad was caught into a vile warp disturbance and disappeared without a trace in a fiery azure blast.

Every brother on the battlefield was stunned and agape by the horrible fate of brother Lucas and his team. The orks caught wind and assaulted with renewed vigor, and only the blessed chants of our Knights managed to wipe out and hold the right flank. But the middle was lost and, with it, our support lines.

It wasn't long that even the mighty Knights were suffering casualties and librarian Quinctilius fell as well, not before having taken many enemies with him.

Our warlord Belial wielded the Sword of Silence masterfully and sliced to ribbons three bikes in a single blow, but the horde was too overwhelming. I lost view of him a while ago.

We're hunkered down now and trying to resist, but the objectives are lost.

Valeria dearest, I think I'm hearing the distant sound of your voice...

<this letter was recovered among the rubble by Interrogator-Chaplain Seraphicus in the aftermath of the battle. The author remains unknown> </description>
    </item>
    <item>
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      <link>/2013/08/august-2013-game-day</link>
      <title>August 2013 game day</title>
      <description>:cog:

So, we should be ready for Game Day on the 18th of August!

Greg will update this thread with logistic info, etc... in the meanwhile, here's my roster (it's 15 points above the limit, let me know if it's ok):

### Deathwing Admonition Force

Total Roster Cost: 1765

HQ

* Belial (1#, 190 pts) - 1 Belial, 190 pts
* Librarian in Terminator Armour (1#, 95 pts) - 1 Librarian in Terminator Armour, 95 pts

Elite

* Deathwing Knights (5#, 245 pts) - 4 Deathwing Knights, 245 pts = 4 * 46 (base cost 46) + Perfidious Relic of the Unforgiven 10 + Knight Master 51
* Deathwing Command Squad (5#, 325 pts) - 3 Deathwing Command Squad, 192 pts = 3 * 44 (base cost 44) + Cyclone Missile Launcher x1 25 + Deathwing Apothecary 74 + Deathwing Champion 49 1 Deathwing Apothecary, 44 pts 1 Deathwing Champion, 44 pts 1 Deathwing Company Banner, 45 pts
* Mortis Dreadnought (IA) (1#, 125 pts) - 1 Mortis Dreadnought (IA), 125 pts = (base cost 105 + Twin Linked Autocannon (x2) 20)
* Dreadnought (1#, 125 pts) - 1 Dreadnought, 125 pts = (base cost 100 + Twin-Linked Lascannon 25)

Troops

* Deathwing Terminator Squad (5#, 220 pts) - 4 Deathwing Terminator Squad, 220 pts = 4 * 44 (base cost 44) + Deathwing Terminator Sergeant 44
* Deathwing Terminator Squad (5#, 220 pts) - 4 Deathwing Terminator Squad, 220 pts = 4 * 44 (base cost 44) + Deathwing Terminator Sergeant 44
* Deathwing Terminator Squad (5#, 220 pts) - 4 Deathwing Terminator Squad, 220 pts = 4 * 44 (base cost 44) + Deathwing Terminator Sergeant 44

Updated on August 17 2013

+++ TRANSMISSION OUTBOUND TO LICENSING OUTPOST X-23A +++

THE ROCK ON APPROACHING VECTOR.

DEATHWING ADMONITION FORCE ON HIGH ALERT.

+++ END OF TRANSMISSION +++ </description>
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    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/2013/07/paints-brushes-and-airbrushes</guid>
      <link>/2013/07/paints-brushes-and-airbrushes</link>
      <title>Paints, brushes and airbrushes</title>
      <description>:cog:

I tried to use the Vallejo Game Color Silver (72.052) with my airbrush. I thinned it by approx. half and it was an unmitigated disaster. Color was not coming out from the nozzle, when it did it was watery, and then it stopped altogether.

Cleaning the airbrush, I found that the needle was clogged with color, I suspect that the color particles in Game Color metallic are way too big to be used with an airbrush...

Another experiment I did was to use a Vallejo Air Color chrome (71.064) with my brush, without thinning it. It works surprisingly well!

Should I just give up and move completely to Air colors? </description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/2013/07/3d-printing</guid>
      <link>/2013/07/3d-printing</link>
      <title>3D printing</title>
      <description>:cog:

While waiting for my ForgeWorld autocannons to dry, I found <a href="http://hivezero.blogspot.com/2012/01/im-sure-im-last-person-to-this-party.html" rel="nofollow">this site</a>.

I am intrigued by the ...print your design... service :) </description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/2013/03/march-2013-hobby-challenge</guid>
      <link>/2013/03/march-2013-hobby-challenge</link>
      <title>March 2013 hobby challenge</title>
      <description>:cog:

Well, I have decided that my focus should be into creating a 2000+ pts pure Deathwing army. That will include two more close combat squads (claws and hammers, oh my!), two venerable dreadnaughts (with autocannons and plasma for a pleasant mix of destruction power) and a land raider just to shuffle around my knights.

All these units are not in my possession yet, so I'm not sure I'll be able to complete the themed challenge, but I have work to do with two more HQ units (Belial and Seraphicus), paint my knights, finish the command squad and the last squad from the Dark Vengeance box.

Btw, does an Excel based model and army tracking system count for the challenge?

Updated on March 8, 2013

My first foray into ...fancybasing.... Not 100% happy with the colors, but I will survive.

![](/uploads/blog/images/march-2013-hobby-challenge-001.jpg)

Updated on March 8, 2013

Hello, company champion.

![](/uploads/blog/images/march-2013-hobby-challenge-002.jpg)

Updated on March 8, 2013

Except he's not the company champion. Just your lightning clawed standard badass, member of the command squad.

 

Updated on March 11, 2013

Some updates during the weekend (not too much, because there was a very hot ball of gas in the sky that distracted everyone...)

First, we have some 40mm bases ...au naturel..., using cork, sand and UNUSED kitty litter. Then some members of the Deathwing command squad, ready to be based, inked and drybrushed.

![](/uploads/blog/images/march-2013-hobby-challenge-003.jpg)

![](/uploads/blog/images/march-2013-hobby-challenge-004.jpg)

Updated on March 13, 2013

And here's the company champion. I'm giving quickshade another try, this time using a brush instead of dipping. I'll let it dry overnight and then clear coat it to see if I have better luck.

![](/uploads/blog/images/march-2013-hobby-challenge-005.jpg)

Updated on March 14, 2013

Damn, I didn't use a proper brush cleaner and now the brush is stiff. Not a big deal, it was an old brush, but what should I use to clean Quickshade?

Updated on March 18, 2013

My current Deathwing company. Two squads in the center and right, and a command squad on the left. I may just point out the excessive management overhead of this organization

I've almost finished the company banner and ready to start on Belial.

On a side note, clear coating QuickShaded models makes them look better. They turn out a different color than the inked ones, but I am ok with that.

![](/uploads/blog/images/march-2013-hobby-challenge-006.jpg)

Updated on March 19, 2013

Standard bearer, completed! This and inking the Cyclone missile launcher were the last two tasks needed to complete the command squad.

Next step, Belial.

![](/uploads/blog/images/march-2013-hobby-challenge-007.jpg)

Updated on March 26, 2013

Belial. Painted, based, quickshaded and clear coated. In other words, done

![](/uploads/blog/images/march-2013-hobby-challenge-008.jpg)

Updated on March 26, 2013

Also, picked up this guy. I just love that pose and it gave me some inspiration to put together an infiltration squad.

I don't even know what that means, in game mechanics terms, I just think it sounds cool

Updated on March 30, 2013

And while waiting for the badass guy, why not prime and get ready to complete a squad of Deathwing Knights, with those maces of absolution SO useful in close quarters... for, say, space hulk-like games...

![](/uploads/blog/images/march-2013-hobby-challenge-009.jpg)

Updated on April 5, 2013

Hey, look who showed up last night! He was promptly stripped of his unholy Blood Angels markings and outfitted with the sacred Dark Angel insignia, but it's unlikely he will be trained and ready for Sunday's missions...

![](/uploads/blog/images/march-2013-hobby-challenge-010.jpg)

Updated on April 6, 2013

Almost there, little guys...

![](/uploads/blog/images/march-2013-hobby-challenge-011.jpg)

Updated on April 21, 2013

Ok, Knights and 4th squad are waiting for the quickshade to dry and then pretty much all my ...infantry... will be done. Still some Dreadnoughts and some heavy transport, and we could call the Deathwing company done.

Today I may start the Land Speeder Storm just to annoy other armies with Outflanks and jamming their deep strikes

![](/uploads/blog/images/march-2013-hobby-challenge-012.jpg)

Updated on April 21, 2013

Just to break away from Ushabti Bone for a bit, I started the speeder. Very large emphasis on started.

![](/uploads/blog/images/march-2013-hobby-challenge-013.jpg)

Updated on April 22, 2013

Hrm. So it turns out that a Land Speeder Storm is not technically a valid choice for Dark Angels.

This is not good.

Any suggestion on how to handle this conundrum? Fake it up? Trade the vehicle for something else?

Updated on May 12, 2013

hrm. Well, it's built now but the only DA marking is the winged dagger on a side, so that could be easily removed... the crew has not been painted, except for some base green on the pilot.

Anyways, I think that ... as a scout vehicle ... the Storm should be fine in a greenwing army. After all, except for the first two companies, the DA follow the Codex Astartes, right?

Updated on May 12, 2013

Oh yeah. Apparently Wednesday I'll finally receive my Land Raider Achilles (!) and a venerable dreadnought. That should count for any hobby challenge </description>
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      <link>/2013/03/the-things-we-do...</link>
      <title>The things we do...</title>
      <description>:cog:

Like... I just got an ounce or two of UNUSED cat litter for my bases.

Or saving the foil from a wine bottle during dinner with friends because, you know, banners, right? </description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid
        isPermaLink="true">/2013/02/february-2013-hobby-challenge-for-paolo</guid>
      <link>/2013/02/february-2013-hobby-challenge-for-paolo</link>
      <title>February 2013 hobby challenge for Paolo</title>
      <description>:cog:

1. Finish Librarian Quinctilius
1. Complete the 2nd Deathwing terminator squad (3 models to go)
1. Convert and finish the 10th scout company master
1. Prime all my models in the proper color (yeah, stretch goal :) )

### Update on 10-Feb-2013

Goal #1 ... Achieved!

![](/uploads/blog/images/february-2013-hobby-challenge-for-paolo-0.jpg)

### Update on 15-Feb-2013

* Primed all the remaining Deathwing terminators
* Clear coated the painted ones
* Acquired a squad of Deathwing Knights
* Acquired Belial, Master of the Deathwing, so I can use him as HQ and field two Deathwing squads as troops (hence having a playable army)
* Belial will be in my possession next week (hopefully), so finishing the February challenge will be tight!

That also means that goals #1 and #4 are done. #3 becomes the stretch one, replaced by completing Belial.

### Update on 17-Feb-2013

Hrm... what is this? Goal #2 well on its way to be achieved? Oh, yes it is :)

And now to find out how instashade works...

![](/uploads/blog/images/february-2013-hobby-challenge-for-paolo-1.jpg)

### Update on 20-Feb-2013

Quickshade is NOT all it's claimed to be. I'd rather spend two minutes with some Seraphim Sepia and a brush to get a lot more control and a lot less loss in surface details...

Anyways, while Belial is still not arrived, I have completed two squads and a HQ, technically completing my February challenge :)

If Belial arrives by Sunday, it'll be my task for the day. Otherwise, starting those knights will be quite tempting!

![](/uploads/blog/images/february-2013-hobby-challenge-for-paolo-2.jpg)
</description>
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      <link>/2009/11/gear-bag</link>
      <title>Gear bag</title>
      <description>I know my readers are on the edge of their seats, waiting with baited breath to know what kind of gear I shuffle around when I try to do any kind of creative work (that is, almost never).

I do, however, have some travelling planned so I spent some time trying to figure out what could I fit into a bag that I could carry with me on a plane and not get arrested at any security checkpoint.

Enter the Jack Spade Nylon Canvas Tech Field Bag

![](/uploads/blog/images/gear-bag-0.jpg)

And here is the current configuration:

![](/uploads/blog/images/gear-bag-1.jpg)

Now I just have to find some padded dividers to avoid all that stuff to move around... </description>
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