Paint Schemes... Solid Color

[darrylDog2000]

Hello all...
I have been working on my RV8 for about 4 years now. Lots of other things have interfered with progress... moving, other construction projects, money , other excuses, etc. I have the empennage finished and will complete the wings in a month or so.
Since the beginning I have envisioned several paint schemes. One thing I am considering is doing a solid color. I haven't seen any completed RV's with a solid paint scheme and I was just wondering why. It seems that the lines of the plane would have a beautiful effect if done this way.
Any ideas or thoughts?
Thanks,
Darryl Hicks

[Spike]

Are you thinking a solid scheme with zero trim ? I would think it would be very dependant on the color that you choose. It might look a little bit plain.

-- John

[Craig]

Try this website: http://www.lazy8.net/rv8.html
It shows a solid red RV-8.

[captain_john]

I love the tinted canopy!



How do you do that? Where do you buy one of those!?!

Can you use the automotive film on it?

I LIKE IT!

CJ

[mustang]

I've compiled a big file of RV paint jobs. I wanted to paint mine like Dago Red for instance. However, what I have noticed, is that curvacious trim-lines along the fuselage do not make this bird look good. About the furthest out is the "Miss America" RV-8, which actually looks good. I particularly like the way the paint scheme on the wing breaks up the square clunky shape and beautifies it.

Another truth is that straight, narrow trim lines running down the waterline of the aircraft do enhance the look of the RV. We tend to think of the RV as all straight lines, but the waterline trim stripes accentuate the curves in this bird.

There is another solid color bird in England, painted in one of those "Mystic" type paintjobs which looks better than just the plain red in my opinion.

Cheers, Pete

[Guest]

Thanks for the pictures guys... This is exactly what I was looking for.

[Akroguy]

Recommendations I received when working on the paint scheme for my -8 was to keep the trim lines long and flowing. No vertical lines on the fuse or vertical tail for sure. For wings, keep them going spanwise mostly. Worked for me.

There are plenty of -8's out there in a solid base color with limited trim...flames, wavy airbrushed checkered flag, etc. Don't have to settle for the good old standard white with red and blue pinstripes! Endless possibilities here, which can actually be maddening when trying to come to grips with a final design. Then, you discover there are thousands of shades of red, blue, teal, black, yellow.....!

Brian

[Craig Schwartz]

A friend of mine built an 8 with a tinted canopy. I think he ordered it that way from Van's.

[captain_john]

Cool, thanks! I wonder if the film stuff would perform adequately?

CJ

[jim_geo]

I've been messing about with Photo Shop lately and have been able to come up with some interesting although simple paint schemes. Pretty much need a scaner and a good line drawing of an RV to start off with though. Still a bit early for me to be thinking about paint.