B-18 Big Ugly

[BLOWHARD]

After a second and third look I noticed the rounded nose area in the photos. Look at the photos, the upper glazed section and the fuselage, at least back to the cockpit looks much rounder. Aside from the other comments, do check that. also, look at the star and rounded on "8 16R". The blue is really strong. I realize it's a different blue than what was used later, but considering the OD is faded and worn. maybe you could lighten and desaturated it a little bit.
Nice looking profiles Will you do the Martin B-10 next? I LOVE that one

[wildr]

I hope that I have done the suggested corrections, you get to close to be objective many times. I have a real hard time getting to white with my highlights. Now has anybody got a fool proof way of rendering shiny natural metal?

[GiantFlyingRobots]

Although I know just about nothing of the type, and I'm late to the thread. I'll offer a few suggestions that I think might be helpful.

Looking back through the thread I think that your initial rendering of the highlight along the top of the fuse, was closer to what works. The second sharp highlight is just too much and is a bit of a distraction. I'd soften/reduce opacity on both.

Same goes for the light dirty effect along the side of the fuse. I use a very similar technique on my profiles, but usually only set the opacity to less than 10% its barely perceptible but you do see it. You might want to use the same technique just with a dark colour, I find the light and dark works well together.

You still need to bring some roundness to the fuse rearward of the main-planes, call it artistic licence if you like, but it'll make it look much less boxy.

Hope this helps, you have my admiration for tacking a lesser know type.

As for a fool proof way of rendering NMF. I have this bit of wisdom for you. Only fools try it.

[inkworm]

As for a fool proof way of rendering NMF. I have this bit of wisdom for you. Only fools try it.

And there is plenty of those on here, I'll NMF anything.

Watched the classic movie Bombardier (1943) today which features heavily the B-18 both flying types and questionable models but does give some good lighting angles. It's still on iplayer.

[JMSmith]

hi paul and the rest of you lot,
i am watching this develope with interest, and will give my final answer over the weekend with regard the nose section, and paul i will tell you the same as the other guys, reduce the weathering layer, it is far to strong, i think this over weathering is a fad like preshading panel lines on models, which i REALLY hate.

[BLOWHARD]

I think this over weathering is a fad like the Beatles!

heheheeh, sorry John, I had too

[GiantFlyingRobots]

I think this over weathering is a fad, like those new fangled automobiles, one of which ran my horse and buggy off the road just this morning.

[BLOWHARD]

It must be pick on John day

[wildr]

Some additions

[inkworm]

Not sure on the RAF one, the serial is the wrong font for a start, better off looking at a Hampden or something for the early twin engine bombers, plus serials always had a letter first.

Still not sure about the shading, looks very flat.

John I'm going to preshade some panel lines this weekend on something just for you