I am building/detailing and painting an undecorated Precision Crafts Models F3A&B set. They came with many small parts as well as PE grates. I am assuming that I paint them the same color as the body? And do I paint underneath them with that same color as well?
Thanks for the help. My first attempt. [%-)]
Hi Jake,
Those photo-etched “grates” are actually representations of the Far-Air grills for the upper body openings along the sides. The real things were stainless steel and might be painted or not depending on the preference of the particular railroad and the paint scheme being used. And for F3s, they were only used on so called Phase IV production models built from about 9/48 to 2/49, so you might not need to install them at all. The area behind the grills would normally be painted the body color, but you might want to use black in the areas representing the body openings for more of an open look.
Good luck with your models,
Andy
Hi Andy - thanks so much for the insight. I am modeling Erie RR in the mid-50s before EL takeover and I have a few color pictures that seem to show the 2 rows of grates, probably in the weathered black color that I am going to use. Just wanted to make sure before I started.
But I am a little confused because one of the MRR articles that I kept (10/06, pg. 63) seems to show long screens on the Phase II as well as the lower screens which I have in the kit?? The uppers are there in Phase III but not the lowers. I am probably safe with whichever as I can find no definitive source on which Phase Erie had then.
[bow]
Hello Jake,
If you’re talking about two rows and Phase II F3s, then the etching probably represent what’s come to be known as “chicken-wire” screens, a heavy wire mesh with diamond-shaped openings. In that case it was definitely painted the same as whatever body color was behind it, meaning black with yellow striping for the Erie.
The book Erie Power by Westing and Staufer shows 800-series passenger-equipped F3s with the Phase II appearance, which is to be expected since they were delivered in July 1947, the month after Phase II alterations were put into effect. The 706-708 series of freight F3s was delivered in November of 1947 and probably still had the Phase II appearance, although the book doesn’t show them. The Erie’s last F3s, the 709 and 710 sets, were delivered in February 1949. They had the Phase III appearance, meaning that they were outwardly indistinguishable from the earliest F7s.
So long,
Andy
Andy - thanks for looking that up for me. I do not have that book but am using pictures I downloaded from a Fallen Flags website thru EL website. I have pictures of Erie 802, both front and side but not very complete. Looks like the screens are there and the same color as the cab.
Appreciate the support. [swg]