Official Balloons, Blimps, Zeppelins and other Gasbags Painting Thread

**Dan-Sam** · 05-12-2022 12:16

Well, even better. REP on the way

**Hu Rhu** · 05-12-2022 13:07

Great painting on that balloon.

**Dak21** · 05-12-2022 13:34

Another excellent balloon! The extras on the basket are a nice touch.

**Teaticket** · 05-12-2022 14:43

Great balloon and basket Chris. Always having to raise the game huh?

**malachi** · 05-12-2022 15:21

Originally Posted by Teaticket

Great balloon and basket Chris. Always having to raise the game huh?

I may need to retire from balloons, who knows what you'll dream up next

Thanks for the compliments, all!

**badlands122** · 05-12-2022 17:51

That's really AWESOME!!!

**Guntruck** · 05-12-2022 23:04

Worth a rep point in anyone's money, Chris

Edit: Rep gun jammed!

**Flying Helmut** · 05-13-2022 00:15

Originally Posted by Guntruck

Edit: Rep gun jammed!

Mine isn't (for once!)

Beautiful balloon, Chris!

**zenlizard** · 05-13-2022 09:05

Certainly a work of model-building art!

**malachi** · 05-07-2023 10:29

LZ-77, LZ-107 Duren, Germany, Hauptmann Erich Sommerfeldt, ObLtn Reinstrom
Takom 1:350 Q-class model kit, profile and decals from the kit.
On 16 February 1917, LZ-107 attacked Boulogne, the last successful raid by an army airship.

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I think it’s been over 50 years since I built a model kit and even then I just slapped them together. This kit requires some expertise but that’s mostly due to the photo etch which I replaced with polystyrene rod and angle ‘L’ in the interest of durability and ease of construction. This means the outrigging is out of scale, but I like the result. I substituted spinny props for the engines. It’s durable but the front gondola snapped off when it fell from the painting stand, so it’s already battle-tested.

Fuselage: assembled, filled seams with sprue-goo and sanded. Primed in Krylon Aluminum then Rust-oleum khaki and sanded and sanded and sanded.
Green: 2:1 mix of Vallejo model color Cam. Olive Green and German Cam. Dark Green.
Red: 1:1 mix of Vallejo model color Hull Red and vmc Saddle Brown, but vmc Black Red would also work.
Cream: unknown mix of Vallejo model colors Pale Sand, Dark Sand and Deck Tan to desaturate.
Wash/Glaze: highly diluted 2:1 mix of Army Painter Soft Tone and Light Tone in several layers.
Edge highlights: Vallejo model color Deck Tan.
Struts: AK Interactive 3rd Gen Warm Grey.
Gondolas: 2:1 mix of AK Interactive 3rd Gen Warm Grey and Vallejo Model Air Steel, Vallejo Xpress Color Copper Brown exhausts, windows shaded with Nuln Oil.
Engines/Guns: Secret Weapon Miniatures Dark Iron.

2” x 20” x ¼” homemade plexiglass base: image adapted from Files, attached full sheet labels sealed with many layers of Mod-Podge. I guess the wrinkle is a ridge they’re flying over

I’m rewriting some rules I hope will simplify and clarify play just a bit. Using the Zeppelin Compass Template for movement.

It will be stored in a linen/plastic under-the-bed 22.3"x12"x5.7" shoe storage container with foam supports.

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**Baron Rolf** · 05-07-2023 12:41

Chris you have done an amazing job on that Zeppelin

**mikeemagnus** · 05-07-2023 13:00

Wow, I seem to have missed huge chunks of this thread. Such amazing work and really inspirational. I'll see if I can trace back and dish out some very deserved reps for some wonderful work guys. thanks for sharing

**badlands122** · 05-07-2023 13:02

OUTSTANDING!!! WOW!!!

**Larry R.** · 05-07-2023 13:13

Truly magnificent!

**malachi** · 05-07-2023 13:16

Thanks very much, guys

**Hedeby** · 05-07-2023 13:34

It’s always brilliant when you go up against zeppelin

**CrashCraig** · 05-07-2023 14:03

Beautiful work Chris

**Guntruck** · 05-07-2023 14:26

That's a work of art Chris.

**Teaticket** · 05-07-2023 15:08

Fantastic job Chris. Now I see why you mentioned a Zeppelin game after hours at Origins.

**camelbeagle** · 05-07-2023 15:50

Really nice job!

**malachi** · 05-07-2023 16:03

Thanks, all

Happy to have this one in its giant hangar

**zenlizard** · 05-08-2023 04:53

That is an excellent job.

**malachi** · 06-08-2023 14:16

I'm pleased and honored to say this pair of drachen will be the grand prize in the Harry P. Materne III (Matt) Memorial tournament this year at Origins. I never knew Matt, but wish I could have.
Many thanks to teaticket for the idea and to OldGuy59 for the balloon cards!

The colors were meant to be flexible, using both as Entente or Central Powers, or as one of each.

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AIM drachen, custom Litko stands, and a set screw and washer in the steering bag mouth for elevation. They're in a customized Burning Drachens box. Good luck to the players!