Official Balloons, Blimps, Zeppelins and other Gasbags Painting Thread

[Womble]

Here's my Caquot type M observation balloon.





It's Shapeways WSF designed by Reduced Aircraft Factory.

Over to you Clipper! I'm looking forward to seeing them all.

Ian

[Flying Officer Kyte]

looks real good with the muted check pattern Ian.
It is high time we got some variety in our sausages.
Rob.

[flash]

Nice sausage Ian !

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

Is it a Cumberland, Richmond or bratwurst variety? Nice one though, like the paint job, looking cool.

[matt56]

I just posted pictures on the March workbench site, but I thought it appropriate to start a thread here, too - I was surprised there wasn't one yet...or pehaps I missed it?!

This is the Nexus brown balloon, although it's been repainted based loosely on the photo posted under ReducedAircraftFactory's sandstone balloon thread on the Shapeways thread. I originally primed it in grey and then coated it with Vallejo's English Uniform (brown) color before I set to work with various brown to make it look like the photo. While it WAS somewhat tedious, I really like the result.



Thanks for looking! I look forward to painting more balloons - I have a couple of AIM resin models I'm working on - I'll post results as they're finished.

All the best,
Matt

[Flying Officer Kyte]

I got it this far Matt but need its URL to merge it and I can't seem to find the URL.
Rob.

[matt56]

It looks like you were able to move the original post but none of the follow-ons, Rob. Now that it is here I can re-post the second (AIM) balloon here on this thread, and then I assume you can just delete the thread from the spot where I previously posted it, eh?

Thanks for sliding it to where it should be!

All the best,
Matt

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Wilco that Matt.
Rob.

[matt56]

Here is an AIM 'sausage' that I finished for my good friend Jim (rhodie80). He wanted it nice and simple in light blue, so that's what he gets!

Vallejo paints were used throughout, and the decals are extras from one of the Herrn Oberst's Albatros sets.





I have a second one I'm starting that I will do up as a varied striped version, similar to one someone else painted a while back; Mike (oldguy59) did up a nifty balloon card for him, so I'll eventually print that off to go with it. I'll post pics of it when it's finished.

As always, thanks for looking!

All the best,
Matt

[Oberst Hajj]

That Nexus balloon looks way sweet! I want one. lol

[Flying Helmut]

Beautiful paint job on the Parseval-Sigsfeld balloon!
Well done Matt!

[flash]

You have been assimilated !

[matt56]

We are Bor...Balloons! Well done, Dave - I knew we'd get here eventually! Thanks for correcting my misposting

And Ian, I really like what you've done with the Shapeways balloon - it's on my list of 'to-gets' and seeing it painted up confirms how nice it is.

All the best,
Matt

[Marechallannes]

Nice work, Harry!

[matt56]

Here's a side-on view of my Parseval-Sigsfeld balloon from AIM - when Jim(rhodie80) bought these for us, he printed off the striped 'card' from the files for me, so it's painted to match that file. I finished it at the beginning of June so it could make the journey to Origins - it was subsequently shot down in the "Sausages for Breakfast" scenario I ran on the Wednesday evening of Origins.

It was fun to paint and a bit easier than the earlier all blue one above - I chose to strip the ropes supplied with the kit to get a bit thinner cable line for the basket. I think I may replace those lines with some that are a bit thicker...as I'm not sure I like them this way - a bit too thin now for my tastes.



As always, thanks for looking!

All the best,
Matt

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Another cracking paint job Matt.
I bet that went down well at Origins.
Rob.

[Teaticket]

Another beauty Matt. Watch out, keep posting more of these and you'll get a reputation as a gas bag!


Now after seeing yours I will have to visit the AIM website....

[Flying Helmut]

That's just superb - as is the counters box you sent me!

Have some REP...............

[gully_raker]

Another cracking paint job Matt.
I bet that went down well at Origins.
Rob.

Just as long as it Went Down Rob!

Seriously though that's wonderful work Matt!

[milcoll73]

beautifal work as always matt!

[OldGuy59]

Here's a side-on view of my Parseval-Sigsfeld balloon from AIM - when Jim(rhodie80) bought these for us, he printed off the striped 'card' from the files for me, so it's painted to match that file. ..
As always, thanks for looking!

All the best,
Matt

You mean this card: WWI Balloons Album - Parseval Sigsfeld Balloon

Card originally done for Andy's [freebird-52] balloon: Armaments in Miniature's Drachen

[LOOP]

That is just ........awesome

[matt56]

Thanks for the kind words, guys! Yep, Mike, that is, indeed, the card which inspired this paint job! Thank you for the inspiration...

All the best,
Matt

[OldGuy59]

Found this page, looking for balloon color schemes: HangarFlying.eu - nl - Het Kamp van Beverlo in oude postkaarten

My Dutch is non-existent, but someone around here could translate the bit about this balloon:


Note: The caption may be a short intro to the balloon designers and the location of the balloon. The card says Camp Beverloo, and the printing date is given as 20 April 1910 (If I am even close in attempting to read a language I've never learned).

Anyone good at determining colors from black & white photos? I could try doing a card for this one.

[Vindicator]

Beautiful work! Reminds me of the photo at this link: http://waldopeircegoestowar.tumblr.c...-diary-my-idea

[grumpybear]

Here is an AIM 'sausage' that I finished for my good friend Jim (rhodie80). He wanted it nice and simple in light blue, so that's what he gets!

Vallejo paints were used throughout, and the decals are extras from one of the Herrn Oberst's Albatros sets.

I have a second one I'm starting that I will do up as a varied striped version, similar to one someone else painted a while back; Mike (oldguy59) did up a nifty balloon card for him, so I'll eventually print that off to go with it. I'll post pics of it when it's finished.

As always, thanks for looking!

All the best,
Matt

I have one of these , still have not figured out rigging

[Captain Chum]

Excellent work on the Parseval Matt.

[Willi]

Here is another AIM Drachen.

[Teaticket]

Great Drachen William. I can't get one of these fast enough.

[Flying Helmut]

Lovely drachen, Willi.

I might steal that paint scheme for mine!

[matt56]

Lovely work on this, William - I really like the understated look, and that 'rigging' is top-notch. I would like to try a more involved type like that sometime.

All the best,
Matt

[LOOP]

Great drachen Willi

[mikeemagnus]

My Dutch is non-existent, but someone around here could translate the bit about this balloon:

"Card posted in Beverlo on 20th April 1910. Clearly visible, under the Parseval-Sigsfeld balloon, is the basket for the observer. August von Parseval and Rudolph Hans Bartsch von Sigsfeld designed those so-called Drachenballons, balloons used by the military for observation. Photographed by "Mahieu uit Leopoldsburg".
The rest of it, written above and below the pics, is just the story of one Herman Put, who was born and raised right beside the airfield at Beverlo. How he played there as a kid etc. He describes the cost of cigarettes and a pint, then goes on to say how his pocket money didn't go far with that. So he collected copper from the camp to supplement his pocket money and one day found a loaded weapon, which he took home. The "Mine Clearing Service" was called out and advised to come quickly!!!
Apparently there are some ten thousand postcards like this, at the museum at Beverlo. Asked "why so many, the reply was - "What else were ten thousand personnel to do but write home to their families on postcards - they had no cars to go anywhere!". That's why they were produced.

Hope that helps. Cheers. Mike

[matt56]

Finished this beastie up earlier this week for my buddy Jim (rhodie80). We decided a creamy/yellowish color would look nifty, and neither I nor he were disappointed.



This is the third one of these I've done, and I am finally happy with attaching the balloon, although it's no where near as nice as Willi's...



I have another of these to do for myself, and will probably use much the same coloring again - maybe jazz it up a tiny bit...

All the best,
Matt

[badlands122]

I just posted pictures on the March workbench site, but I thought it appropriate to start a thread here, too - I was surprised there wasn't one yet...or pehaps I missed it?!

This is the Nexus brown balloon, although it's been repainted based loosely on the photo posted under ReducedAircraftFactory's sandstone balloon thread on the Shapeways thread. I originally primed it in grey and then coated it with Vallejo's English Uniform (brown) color before I set to work with various brown to make it look like the photo. While it WAS somewhat tedious, I really like the result.

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Thanks for looking! I look forward to painting more balloons - I have a couple of AIM resin models I'm working on - I'll post results as they're finished.

All the best,
Matt

What primer did you use??

[matt56]

I just used a grey spray primer made for priming miniature figures - I don't remember which one off the top of my head. There are a number of companies out there that make figure primer, so you should be able to find some pretty easily. I am not usually picky about it. I have even used Krylon from the hardware store or the craft store. I tend to go with grey primer for darker/subdued colors and white for lighter/brighter colors.

All the best,
Matt

[badlands122]

I just used a grey spray primer made for priming miniature figures - I don't remember which one off the top of my head. There are a number of companies out there that make figure primer, so you should be able to find some pretty easily. I am not usually picky about it. I have even used Krylon from the hardware store or the craft store. I tend to go with grey primer for darker/subdued colors and white for lighter/brighter colors.

All the best,
Matt

AAAHHH, Yes, after re-reading your post I noticed that you had mentioned "grey" primer. I too use the same technique for painting as you(grey for dark/white for lighter). It was the awesome work that distracted me

[rhodie80]

I posted pictures of this balloon a while ago but they disappeared when the site had a glitch.

Living near the Air Force Museum I have been able to visit and admire the ballon they have on display.





Using this as a model I repainted one of the Wings balloons. I was pleased with how the shading came out.

[flash]

That's a cracker Jim

[badlands122]

VERY NICE
What happened to the "large" stands?? the stands for the blimps. I haven't seen them in the store???

[camelbeagle]

Had lots of fun shooting at your balloons!

[ShadowDragon]

Very nice job, Jim.

[ShadowDragon]

Forgot about posting to the official painting thread - 2 Reduced Air Factory Shapeways Caquot balloons - to make up for the lack of Nexus/Ares ones:

[Flying Helmut]

Really nice gasbags chaps!

[FlyBoy Nate]

Nice balloons, guys! I like the paint schemes.

[malachi]

My Nexus balloon. I'm naming him Ali (I'm in his hometown after all) and hope to have a few drachen arrive soon -- I thought it'd be fun to name them after famous boxers, mostly so I can yell (in Howard Cosell voice) "and DOWN goes Fraazzhya!" when popped. I think the others will probably be Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, "Smokin'" Joe Frasier, and Eric "Butterbean" Esch

As delivered:


Too much work, failed:


Much better:

[Naharaht]

Great painting, Chris!

[Flying Helmut]

Very nice indeed!

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Nice Job Chris.
Rob.

[Hedeby]

Wow they are brilliant bags... god I want one...