Norman Veber's Nieuport Ni-17
(click the image to go back)
The fuselage, wings and wheels wear a base coat of Krylon
Dull Aluminum. This was sealed with Future Floor finish
to give the decals a smooth, glossy surface to which to
adhere without "silvering." When dry the decals
were sealed with another layer of Future. Then Norman
applied a thin gray pin wash to highlight the molded-in
details. All this was sealed with a topcoat mix of Floquil
Crystal Cote and Flat Finish. The engine cowl was painted
in Floquil Platinum mist with its rear edge highlight
by Floquil Bright Silver. The tires are painted with Floquil
Medium Gray.
Norman decided to forego the kits rudder decals in favor
of airbrushed red, white, and blue paints. He painted
the kit propeller with Floquil Earth and Rosewood Stain
topped by Gunze Clear Yellow to resemble the varnished
laminated wood propellers of the day. The engine is painted
in Floquil Platinum Mist with a Weathered Black wash and
a Gunze Clear Orange and Yellow mix to represent burnt-on
oil. He added aluminum wire throttle linkage and thin-wall
brass tubing for the carburetor breathing tubes.
The bungee cord shock absorbers are represented by genuine
thinned elastic cord. The wheel nuts are .040" photo-etch
pieces. The fuel and oil caps are turned aluminum and
wire, painted Gun Metal.