TESTING TIMES

This Bachmann Presflo now looks much more authentic with a coating of cement dust. Getting the powder to stick needed some chemical intervention - find out how I did it in MR149.

The past week or two has seen just the odd bit of practical modelling going on, with lots of 'writing-up' going on instead. I seem to have built up about a dozen demonstration features for Model Rail, but they've simply created a backlog of stuff to put into words and be made ready for submission to our designers.

I've also been working on the next Supertest for MR149, dealing with various weathering products, which has been very enjoyable. On the down side, I spent a while the other night washing down my workbench after making a real mess with weathering powders - I'd also got streaks of 'rust' and 'soot' all over my face and probably walked out for lunch without realising I had Rambo-style camouflage on my cheeks... it explains why everyone gave me a wide berth in the coffee shop.

The Supertest has thrown up some fantastic products, some of which I hadn't tried before, such as Vallejo Pigments and washes from MIG and Pro-Modeller. Most of these were discovered when reading through various military and aviation modelling magazines that I take monthly. Having a passing interest in these other disciplines keeps me up to date with other techniques, tools and materials that can be translated for railway use. If you're interested, I recommend the following titles: AFV and AIR Modeller (bi-monthly), Scale Aviation Modelling and Scale Aircraft Modelling.

Although there's not that many different shades available, these MIG stain washes are great fun to use.

Getting good results without an airbrush (1): This Hornby '60' has been given a lightly weathered finish using Tamiya pigments.

Getting good results without an airbrush (2): powders offer the chance to create very realistic effects if used carefully. This 'Pug' suits the dusty appearance of soot, ash and track dirt.

Today I'll be tidying up the last bits of the Weathering Supertest - that includes a couple of in-depth step-by-step demonstrations, showing how to use the various products - and trialling the last set of paints that I've just received. A big pack of 10 jars of Com-Art acrylic weathering paints arrived the other day, so I'll be pootling out to my shed after breakfast to give them a whirl.

Look out for Model Rail issue 149 (out Oct 7th) for the full low-down on a great many weathering products...

Com-Art paints have a big reputation amongst artists - will they cut the mustard on model railways? This weathering pack offers a broad range of useful shades.