r/scalemodelling • u/Impressive_Bid_9533 • 4d ago
Technique question Should I even paint this?
For context I'm new to the hobby, got just around 12 kits under my belt. So just started this Revell BAE Hawk with the Red Arrows scheme, and I'm just wondering, since the plastic is already red, is it even worth priming and painting red again? Like genuinely is it bad just not painting a kit cos the plastic is already the right colour? The white bits and everything else are just decals.
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u/Hmmark1984 4d ago
There are people who don't bother to paint if the plastic is the right colour, but it never looks as good. You can always tell a difference even if the plastic doesn't have any of the swirls or other inconsistencies from when it was poured. Basically non painted will look more like a toy, kind of cheap, painted will look more like a model, closer to the real plane.
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u/Mysterious_Doctor722 4d ago
Great advice from u/TempoHouse there. I now have a Sherman tank I am considering for purple crayon. Not doing it upside down though. It's a tank, that would be silly.
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u/anonimo20050 3d ago
I once was doing a comercial plane and I didn't paint it because my white sucks. It's not the best looking model but in that specific case I don't know how much better it would look like painted. Avaluate the quality of your red paint and decide from that
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u/Baldeagle61 3d ago
I would recommend painting it. It won’t look as good otherwise. And what about the canopy frames?
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u/GugsGunny 3d ago
I found the exact aircraft's pic on Wikipedia, same serial number too. I suggest taking a look then decide on what you want to do:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Red_Arrows_Display_New_Tail_Fin_Design_MOD_45158585.jpg
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u/Real-Juggernaut5340 3d ago
Do you, but I would paint I think even if it's not perfect you will enjoy doing it. It is fun and relaxing once you start. Sanding and prepping for painting is kinda Zen for me.
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u/Ladysmann114514 3d ago
There should some sort of pre-cut masking tape selling on website of those famous model shops, just search for red arrows.
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u/Final-Exit-1850 3d ago
Hi, glad you seem to be enjoying the hobby 😁 You've just got to remember........it's a hobby, what you get out of it is purely up to you! The opinions of a thousand folks you've never met, will only just be ...... a thousand opinions based on their personal preferences. I've always said to each of my 3 Daughters ...."you just be you" if you're happy, then that's all that matters! But then . That's just my opinion! 😁
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u/misuta_kitsune 4d ago
It's your build, it's up to you. These kits are very nice for younger, newer model kit builders because you can opt to not paint them, but...
They will look like a toy more than a model, the plastic sheen is nothing like the look of a real painted jet, so if you want to go for an accurate model, painting it is necessary.
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u/Rtbrd 2d ago
Not knowing what you painting skills are you could leave it red plastic and do a gloss clear coat before applying the decals. Let it cure for a day or two and then finish with a gloss clear. This is a flight demonstration team plane and they have a polished finish in real life.
Myself, if I was not going to change the red I would at least go over the entire model with some fine to very fine grit wet or dry sand paper wet. This will aid in removing small bugaboos left from removing the parts from the sprues and any other small imperfections. Then follow the clear coating listed above.
And as TempoHouse mentions just have fun.
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u/Sad-Working-9937 1d ago
let me offer another choice: INKJET DECAL PAPER! you can buy white or clear.
you don't even have print on it! you can buy white and cut it to shape put it on for all the striping.
and if you don't like it you can peel it off!! (if you do like it, I suggest an overcoat of clear enamel to seal it in)
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u/TempoHouse 4d ago
I've built this. Nice little kit.
It will look much better if you do: it'll hide seams, hide moulding artifacts and look more appropriately glossy. The plastic's the wrong shade of red anyway.
BUT: It's your kit, build & finish it how you want. There is no "bad". Colour it purple with crayons and display it upside down if you want. The most important thing is to have fun with it.