The Little World

I was torn between thinners for this Crusader.

I had enough Light Gull Grey to do the upper side easily – and a new bottle of semi-gloss white for the under side. But one was a water-based acrylic and the other lacquer based.

Would it matter? Was there going to be a fizzing explosion along the belt-line of the aircraft as the two chemistries met? Well, no – of course not. I have long found this out, but only through practical experimentation. All the bits of perceived wisdom and fragmented commercial advice would lead you astray.

In reality, both paints were thinned with the same material: Mr Color Leveling Thinner. I was able to adjust both for the same gun and nothing untoward happened. The white went on the bottom first and after it was cured for two hours the simple masking went on and the grey went on the top.

The workshop was warm – the levelling thinner chosen to allow a longer drying period – and both top and bottom were smooth enough to decal without resorting to a clear gloss spray.

Another departure from commercial advice after the decals were placed and set: I used Tamiya semi-gloss clear varnish to seal the whole aircraft. Nothing lifted or shrivelled. It was light spraying but very easily done.