I am in the process of building your roadkill model b-17. Looks good, but I was wondering how to get the olive drab finish without warping the thin wood.

I feel regular model dope would cause warping, you recommend magic markers, are magic markers in olive drab? Any help would be appreciated. Aluminum would be considered as an alternate also. It looks like a good kit, hope to fly it soon.

From : Don Stackhouse

The paints you have to be careful of are ones that contain water. Solvent-based paints such as automotive touch-up paints or quick-drying lacquers such as Krylon don't seem to cause any trouble, especially if you fog the paint on in very light coats. It will probably tend to raise the "fuzz" in the wood, but you can lightly brush that off with a Scotchbrite pad or fine steel wool after the paint dries.

On my B-17 prototype (the olive drab one in the photos on the box label) I used two colors of Krylon's camo paints, one darker and the other medium olive-drab. By leaving places like the middle of the fuselage lighter, while tinting places like the top edge a little darker, you can create the illusion of a 3-d shape rather than a profile.

I used a green permanent marker for the dark green camo blotches on the wings and tail, but a darker green spray paint fogged-on with appropriate masking would be better, although it would also be a lot more work.

Don Stackhouse
DJ Aerotech