P.R. Blue

The shade P.R. Blue

A modeling paint from the Hataka Orange Line in a blue shade listed under the designation P.R. Blue, the manufacturer's part number HTK-C042. In aviation terminology the abbreviation P.R. reads as photographic reconnaissance. Blue finishes go with reconnaissance aircraft for a simple reason: a machine that is not meant to fight anyone needs to blend into the sky at altitude, and blue does that better than a gray designed for a view from above. The shade is therefore well established in the modeling palette, even though you will not find it on an ordinary combat aircraft.

Application and thinning

Shake the bottle thoroughly before use, so that settled pigment is mixed back in. Choose the thinner intended for this line; the thinning ratio is given by the manufacturer on the packaging. Apply several thin coats and let the surface set between them; one heavy coat floods the engraving and still does not even the shade out. Wash and degrease the surface of the model beforehand, as the paint does not hold on greasy plastic.

• the blue shade P.R. Blue from the Hataka Orange Line
• the manufacturer's part number HTK-C042
• the abbreviation P.R. refers to photographic reconnaissance
• the thinner intended for this line according to the manufacturer's instructions
• applied in thin coats onto a degreased base

Painting tips

A continuous single-color finish over a whole airframe is demanding on evenness, because on a large area every transition between passes stands out. It therefore pays to build the shade up from thin coats and to keep turning the model against the light. A base coat evens out a surface made up of plastic, filler and photo-etch; without it a different tone appears on sanded joints. Apply masking tape only onto a cured coat and take it off with a shallow pull along the surface.

Terms of supply

What is supplied is the paint alone. Thinner, brushes, an airbrush and a kit are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.