I'm building the Balsa USA Eindecker 40. Somewhere on the web I saw a process for creating the swirl pattern on the cowl using a paint method. Anyone heard of this?
Thanks,
Bob

I haven't seen anything on a paint method, but I have used steel wool in an electric eraser. I suppose that you could also use a Dremel on low RPM.
The results lok great.

I've seen the random scroll pattern done in aluminum powered-based paint. It looks very convincing. When I did my EIII I borrowed an electric eraser. The key is to practice A LOT before you start in on your model. I bought a few $1 store aluminum pans to practice on. What finally worked for me was to use short 2-3 second bursts, not paying much attention to the shape of the swirls, and just go for a certain density of swirls in a given space.

Paints like Humbrol Metalcote or other metal-based paints can be selectively polished using a buffing bit in a Dremel. I've heard varying reports about trying to clear-coat these paints though (most bad!) so suggest practice technique AND clearcoat on a scrap first. Good luck,

Cam

I replaced my cowl with an aluminum kitchen pot I found at the grocery store, the diameter was close enough, then I used a dremmel with a small steel brush to simulate the swirls.

For "engine turning" I use a pencil in a drill press and with light pressure the eraser makes very convincing swirls. Just buy lots of pencils
Cheers, Dave.

Pilotorc4,

If I am not mistaken, that is a Henschel Hs 123 in Spanish insignia on your post. May I ask why you chose that particular A/C? Have you built one? I have the plans and intend to build one in the near future. Just curious. One doesn't see this aircraft depicted too often.

red 1 (aka Don Borton)
AMA IMAA
WACO Brotherhood #72

Red1 you are correct, I have a set of plans from graham which is 80 some inche wingspan, I just ordered a kit from a guy in the states so I can build it when I get back, I think the HS 123 is one of the best looking biplane warbirds.

If you haven't seen it, look at Post 44, "Let's See Your Luftwaffe Birds", RC Warbirds & Warplanes (Tommie, Hereford, TX).

Getting back to the original topic (aluminum swirls) the article phatbob was thinking of was in Model Airplane News and it appears in Volume 1 of the two "Radio Control Airplane How To's" books they published. The article title is "Authentic Aluminum". I don't have my copy with me (I'm wasting time at work) but as I recall the gist of it was:

Pre-coat the wood surface with butyrate dope. Sand smooth. Mix fine aluminum powder with butyrate dope to get a thick but smooth paste. Apply the paste to the doped surface. Sand, recoat. Then, using a soft balsa stick 1/4 sq in a drill, and moistening with a small amount of thinner, burnish with the tip of the stick to get the swirl effect.

Edited later: the article was by Clarke Smiley and appeared on pages 44-45 of the How To's Volume 1.

Bob, You need to check out the SR batteries web site. They have a step by step way to make the finish using aluminum boiler tape. Here's the way it really looked. Not really sworls.

John F
Could you PLEASE send me any other pictures that you have of the Eindecker!!
I am having a reallly hard time finding referance pictures.
I am trying to detail a Balsa USA 90.
Any help is greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks
Britt

Britt, Go to www.theaerodrome.com and ask for help with the Eindecker. I am sure you will be pleased with the response. I don't have anything else to share on this one.

Well I finally did it. I used the SR Battery method. It came out nice for a fun scale plane. I bought a Fiberglass Specialties cowl and SR's aluminum sheet tape. Thanks guys.