8404 Diorama Studios

One of the challenges you face as a modeler is replicating the coatings on modern optics, it used to be they were simply thick glass tinted a greenish hue. Easily simulated. Then came the laser protective coatings on the lenses that have a holographic effect. WTF, over? How do you simulate that with paint and have it look real? Go into the hobby shop and ask your favorite seller to show you his best holographic paints, I dare you. Since I worked in one before this Covid-craziness struck (and will again once we get past it), I can tell you straight up really ain’t no such thing; there are paints that claim to change with the angle you view them at, but they still don’t look quite right. So, what do you do?

Well, in all honesty if you want to simulate a holographic coating especially on a clear surface you use something made for a clear surface that will stick to it permanently. Hobby manufacturers realized this and AFV Club came out with a line of peel and stick coatings for different modern vehicles. Great, but they also gouge the crap out of you for a small (and I do mean small) sheet of film. Then I found a link to a company that manufactures window films, in LOTS (and I do mean lots) of colors. Their palette includes a film with a prism effect that replicates the laser protective coatings as effectively as the AFV Club sets; you have to cut and trim the film yourself – but the sheets which are sold as samples are 8 1/2 x 11 and cost a couple bucks each. Don’t believe me? See it for yourself – https://www.coloredfilms.com/

What’s the point of all this about simulating holographic coatings got to do with the project at hand? Well, there is something referred to as the “disco ball” or “disco light” (aka AN/ALQ 144/147 IRCM) which has those coatings as a means of jamming the seekers of anti-aircraft missiles. And you thought you weren’t going to learn anything today…Surprise!!

In addition to the lesson simulating laser protective coatings, permit me if you will to give an absolutely shameless plug to Reedoak Composites for their fast service and incredibly detailed accessories. As I’ve mentioned previously, I procured several accessories from their line – a flight helmet partially in its’ bag, two helmet bags and a crew chiefs’ tool organizer. They are 3-D scanned and printed with the resulting product being second to none, the individual clips and zipper pulls on the helmet bags are present and identifiable as such; same with the clips on the crew chiefs’ organizer. I will definitely be looking for more opportunities to use their figures and accessories in the future! In the meantime, be sure to check out their catalog, they are available in all the popular scales http://reedoak.com/