Re: Panel Lines

graeme cosgrove wrote:
> I have a dilemma.
>
> Many modellers "enhance" the panels lines on their subjects (aircraft
> mainly), which gives a particulaly effective "depth" to the model.  Indeed,
> some of the best examples at ModelWorld 2003 had had this technique applied.
> I think it looks very effective...
>
> ...but...
>
> ...I spend a lot of time on a flightline, and looking at my (real) jets at
> "scale" distance, and there is no way you can make out panel lines!  Indeed,
> "steps and gaps" on the jets I work with are measured in tenths of
> millimeters ("thous" for our Imperial friends).
>
> So - what to do?  Accentuate the panel lines and have a "non-scale" (but
> very effective) model, or stick with what looks "real" and loose all that
> detail?
>
> I tend to go with the latter and use shading of the panels themselves, but I
> would be interested in what any-one else thought?


	I tend to agree with you that the lines of 1:1 aircraft generally are 
not visible when viewed from a distance but...
	The craze of emphasizing panel lines does add visual interest to a 
model that would otherwise appear monochromatic and not as appealing. 
That said, I prefer to accent panel lines with a very, *very*, VERY (did 
I emphasize 'very' enough?) thin wash of a complementary color to the 
model's base color.  To see dark lines all over a Vietnam-era A-4 
Skyhawk is NOT the way to go, rather, you should use perhaps a grey or 
white shade not too far off from the base color.
	At a recent contest I attended, a well-built F-4 Phantom was entered. 
It was a -D model, done up in SEA camo with the darkest panel lines I've 
ever seen.  I'm sorry to say that these aircraft do not look like that, 
as much as it wouldn't be right to build the kit with its insignia 
upside-down.  Moderation is the key.  Restraint will pay off with a more 
realistic model and a more pleasing replica.


Frank Kranick