Hobby color - námořní modrá

The dark blue of naval aviation

A saturated blue of this kind is tied above all to American carrier-based aircraft of the closing years of the Second World War. From 1944 the Hellcats, Corsairs, Avengers and Helldivers wore a uniform overall dark blue finish that was meant to hide the aircraft over the sea as far as possible and at the same time simplify maintenance on crowded decks. In Pacific photographs the surface looks almost black; in reality it was a strong blue that the sun visibly faded toward gray within a few weeks of service.

Outside aviation the same tone suits the hull sides of ships, the trim of naval uniforms, fire and police vehicles or dark civilian car bodies.

Working with a dark shade

Dark surfaces behave treacherously on a model. The classic dark wash in the grooves does not show up on them, so panel lines are emphasized the other way round, with a lighter tone sprayed into the panels between them. In the same way it pays to break up large areas deliberately: a few drops of white or light gray mixed into the remaining paint and sprayed lightly over the upper surfaces of the wings and fuselage turn flat color into a surface worth looking at.

Thinning and coverage

It can be thinned with clean water or with the manufacturer's own thinner. Thanks to the dark pigment it covers very readily and one proper coat is usually enough. Flush the residue out of the airbrush right away; dried dark pigment is harder to get out of the nozzle than light. With a brush, lay down two thin coats rather than one, as a single heavy stroke leaves a visible mark.