stevielewis
Sr Member
I understand where you want to know what colors were used. If you know someone who has knowledge of operations back then, by all means, ping them. Let us know what they know.
U.S.S. Bradford (DS9)
- Thread starter BolianAdmiral
- Start date
Yeah it's a mix of wanting to work out the paint's properties for digital as well as having on hand if easily available for the inevitable practical builds, or getting at least one can or jar to match if it's worth doing so.
Sadly, no reply from the fellow who was in the model shop. Not surprising, pings just about old Trek days probably wear thin ;-) But, fingers crossed.
Le sigh! A reply!
To paraphrase, though nothing concrete:
Federation and Klingon ships likely got their color from custom mixed auto paints. My read is- custom mixes bought in a good quantity, then stored for the inevitable call.
Others were very likely off the shelf. Model Master or 'railroad color' which I always read to mean Floquil. Floquil was still available in the early 2000s in its original formula, though the color consistency was, unbelievably, even worse then than it was in the 20-30 years prior. Still, up to the end of the original mix's run, it could not be beat for its flex, and damn near working with impunity with it. Best model paint ever. Too bad it'd kill you.
So not much in terms of specifics, but I'll take a confirmation of the usual suspects and another vote to, in essence, get on with it and build colors that match and alter correctly in the varying lighting scenarios, to the best of one's ability.
Onward. ;-)
To paraphrase, though nothing concrete:
Federation and Klingon ships likely got their color from custom mixed auto paints. My read is- custom mixes bought in a good quantity, then stored for the inevitable call.
Others were very likely off the shelf. Model Master or 'railroad color' which I always read to mean Floquil. Floquil was still available in the early 2000s in its original formula, though the color consistency was, unbelievably, even worse then than it was in the 20-30 years prior. Still, up to the end of the original mix's run, it could not be beat for its flex, and damn near working with impunity with it. Best model paint ever. Too bad it'd kill you.
So not much in terms of specifics, but I'll take a confirmation of the usual suspects and another vote to, in essence, get on with it and build colors that match and alter correctly in the varying lighting scenarios, to the best of one's ability.
Onward. ;-)
stevielewis
Sr Member
I'm glad to know that some of what we have been guessing at is true. Good luck with your future builds. I'll keep plugging away with what I have available or comes close to. 
stevielewis
Sr Member
Ok, I finally got the last coat of paint on the cargo containers. I'll post a few pictures taken this morning in natural lighting, no flash. As you will see the Tamiya Flat Flesh spray paint looks very close to what was used on the original build. I'll also post a photo of one of the Space Shuttles in launch position that shows the external tank with almost the same color as the Tamiya Flat Flesh, which is what Adam Buckner was trying to simulate with the original model. Thanks for looking.
Comments welcomed.
Comments welcomed.
Art Vandelay
New Member
I think that's as close as we're going to get to match Buckner's paint for the cargo pods.
I'm going to be starting my Bradford build soon, as I now have all the parts. I would be interested in knowing which paints you used for the overall hull and greebles other than the white base coat and the cargo pods.
well wut da heck you know about dat... I totally missed this update.
I guess it's ok if you're into this sort of thing (looks around the room) Oh yeah... we're into this sort of thing.
Fantastic update. Remember that the spray on the shuttle darkened over time, so you can tell how fresh the coverage is by the color of the tank in photos. My favorite line is that as it shifts from its off-white application, it goes from pancake batter to rust.
Now it's been a couple of weeks, how're you feeling about it and maybe as important, have you got anything on the bench these days? Onward...
stevielewis
Sr Member
I think the flat Flesh color is perfect for my build. I feel the dark Rust color was too dark.
As far as what else I have on the bench, I have a build up of the U.S.S. Trieste, a build up of the U.S.S. Antares NCC-9844, U.S.S. Curry, Raging Queen NCC 42284, the U.S.S. Jupp. These are in various stages of building or painting. Thanks for asking.
Fantastic... the whole of the Fleet ;-) There are a few I've seen that I'm not so certain on ever building, but at least 4-5 that will get the love at some point. Sadly, 2 years of unemployment means losing, well having to sell, my house and I've got no idea where I'll be next, so it's hard to plan any of this. Hobbies are definitely in the rear-view mirror. I've got kits and bits to build digital vers for portfolio and skill pieces, but they'll be getting packed soon.
So, will be sure to keep an eye here on things, cheer for folks who're building. You and BolianAdmiral for sure.
So, will be sure to keep an eye here on things, cheer for folks who're building. You and BolianAdmiral for sure.
stevielewis
Sr Member
I agree with the flat Flesh color on the cargo pods. I primed the hull with grey using Testors primer (I think, as I no longer have the spray can), and then used flat White Krylon spray. I attached all the greebles to the hull before doing any painting so they got painted at the same time as the hull. I'm sure you have a better way of going about this.
I hope you will post your build on the RPF as I would like to follow along as you build your Bradford.
