Weathering Model Aircraft – Some Useful Tips

Weathering is a terminology which is related to the process of making an aircraft model look like it’s been used for a while, aged or worn out. Typically, this usage has many different forms. Weathering would involve mud and dust accumulations on the aircraft, exhaust staining, paint fading due to the sun, metal rusting etc.

The whole process of weathering is actually quite artistic and not very monotonous or the usual. If one has an artistic bent of mind, weathering of aircraft models is a piece of cake. But weathering is not limited to the artistically-inclined; it can be carried out by anybody. It is just that one needs to muster or learn some simple techniques of the whole ‘weathering’ process. The learning of the Weathering processes is quite detailed and methodical and each one has a unique approach to adapt to or develop their own set of techniques/methods.

When we start on the weathering process, one needs to know, how many qualitative and quantitative changes with each aircraft model, can be incorporated. One has to be aware as to not to cross that fine line between accentuating and ruining the weathering process. But all this comes about only with experience and understanding of the technique and there are no user manuals, guidelines or set rules for this.
There is no one single technique or the magic catchword for the weathering process. It involves several steps or techniques depending of course on the make and type of model.

Some Of The Steps Would Be As Detailed Below:

1. Build the basic model according to the plan, user guideline. Apply stickers and leave off minor details, which can be added after the weathering process.
2. After the stickers are applied, the model should be given a glossy paint coat. In addition, thinner-based paints can be applied.
3. When using thinner-based enamel paint washes, dark colors like black, medium brown or dark tan is used.
4. After the enamel paint washes, the model is again flat coated with an airbrush. At this stage, all the differences and variations created by the earlier washes become very noticeable.
5. The next stage is where the shading is done and paint used is very thin. And even in this stage, dark colors are preferred. There are two steps to the same. The first being creating a replication of dirt and with the gradual air brushing, exhaust stains and powder burns are also created. The next step involves replicating the shadows. That is the inside corners of the model is darkened and thus giving the dramatic shadow effect.
6. The final step in the process is dry brushing the model to show some gradual aging and worn out effect. For this the colors that are used are usually black and silver.

For avid model aircraft collectors, weathering is a process that is gaining rapid momentum and is becoming an acceptable process and is seen as just creating a more attractive and sporty looking model. Weathering is more of an art form than a routine task in modeling. Mastering a few simple techniques can go a long way to improving the weathering looks on aircraft models. Once the technique is mastered, one can work on the artistic side of the matter.