"Advice on Model Air for Panzers please." Topic

,I've just taken delivery of my new airbrush, and now need to get some paints for it for my 1/72 1942 Panzers.

I've decided on Vallejo Model Air, and am thinking about the following colours for a three stage modulation

White or light grey primer
Panzer Grey 71.056 base/shade
German grey 71.052 overall
Light grey 71.050 highlights

Now I haven't seen these colours, but I have seen some amazing models on here, so I would appreciate any advice if you have used these as to how they will work together – or if you think a better palette would give me better results.

I have seen the Vallejo modulation set advertised, but was very disappointed to see it contained half size bottles – something they fail to point out on their Web pages – and I do have a major Panzer army to do.!

Thanks in anticipation

Hi,

this doesn't answer your question but thought I'd throw it out in case you might be interested. I've done some panzer gray tanks using the Lifecolor panzer gray modulation set. But recently I came across this article by Zaloga where he paints a panzer gray tank. He doesn't use any modulation but he gets a good effect I think. I plan to try it soonish.

link

Hope it's helpful somehow.

Thanks for the link. I havent heard of Lifecolor over here in the UK…..

I had to order Lifecolor from the UK when I got it the first time – from the airbrush company (who had really fantastic service btw) – but can now get it here.

link

Ha! That's who I just ordered my airbrush from!!

They were emphasising the extra fine ground pigment content of dedicated Model Air – hence my Vallejo choice!

Thanks for the tip. Any probs with Lifecolor in an airbrush compared to Vallejo?

I liked the Lifecolor modulation set. Lifecolor paints blow through the brush pretty well but getting them thinned to the right consistency is a little tricky. They don't clog the brush but if they aren't thin enough they won't blow through it easily if that makes any sense. But there's not a lot of range between being thin enough and too thin. So it takes a little bit of practice.

I have limited experience with the model air paints. My experience was ok but I'd start out with them without thinning them at all. If you've already got some, go for it and see how it works out.

I've had nothing but bad experiences with VMC though others don't seem to have the problems I have. They just clog it up really bad.

Also, it looks like the choices Vallejo puts in their panzer grey modulation set are:

601 primer
054 dark gray blue
053 dark seagreen
052 german grey
050 light grey

there's a link here:
link

My guess is your choices should be fine then.

Interesting they use 054, as 056 is the RAL colour for Panzer Grey in their catalogue!