As is the case with every ATC unit in my experience, aero modelling is a primarily enamel paint based activity, and the shift to acrylics, which appears to have happened in every other sphere of modelling, seems to be being resisted somewhat.
However, it’s becoming problematic in my unit for reasons of COSHH. Because the paints and thinners are hazardous, they should be stored in the COSHH Store, but since our refurb, our COSHH store is outside, it also leaks and because it has a sealed floor with a lip, it fills up with water.
We’re tentatively looking at a transition to Acrylics, as then we don’t have any COSHH issues.
I’m looking for advice on how to do this, I was looking at it last night, and its going to be a big job, we have over 70 colours in our enamel range, and simply replacing every colour seems overly expensive, wasteful of the enamels and maybe wasteful, as there may be some colours we have, but just don’t need anymore, maybe something purchased for a one off.
My current plan is to start with maybe buying enough acrylics to paint basic kits, like early WW2 RAF fighters, which are the bread and butter of ATC modelling lessons in my experience. Giving me a start of 4 main colours, (Underside blue, two colour camo scheme and the internal greeny colour. I’d then need black for tyres, a metallic for metals, and maybe some more? Do the tail plane colours need to be freehanded or are they decals?
I then need to consider priming, (including whether we trust the kids with spray primer or not?) and palettes, because I note even the Humbrol acrylics come in dropper bottles now, and in my experience of working with acrylics the idea of painting without some form of palette and thinned paints is essentially blasphemy.
I also then need to do this gently so as to not supplant the very efficient modelling teacher we have now, but who has next to no experience of acrylics.
Any views?
