Douglas B-26K Counter Invader paint set

ICM Douglas B-26K Counter Invader, an acrylic paint set

A set of water-thinnable acrylic paints from the Ukrainian manufacturer ICM for the Douglas B-26K Counter Invader ground-attack aircraft. The box holds six bottles with a volume of 12 ml. It is not a kit but the paints to finish one.

Set contents and the real subject

The set holds the shades US Dark Green, Extra Dark Green, Tan Earth, Black and Silver, and a satin varnish as well. That matches the American Southeast Asia camouflage, that is, a combination of two greens and a brown-sand shade with a black underside. The B-26K was a rebuild of the older twin-engine Invader into a machine for counter-insurgency and night interdiction tasks over Laos and Vietnam. The satin varnish is in the set for the surface before decals. The paints dry matte, so a gloss or satin surface has to be added with a varnish. Once dry they are resistant to water and take oil paints, enamels, washes and thinners, so they hold up under weathering techniques.

Use and thinning

• The paint is applied with a brush straight from the bottle without thinning.
• For an airbrush the manufacturer recommends thinning with water or acrylic thinner in a ratio of 40 to 60 percent.
• Shake the bottle thoroughly before use and mix the paint in a separate container.
• At temperatures above 25 °C, add a drying retarder.
• The shades of this range can be mixed with one another to reach a more precise tone.

Who the set is for

The set suits a modeler who is building American aircraft of the Vietnam War period. The shades are not tied to a single type; other American machines of the time carried the Southeast Asia camouflage as well. The base kit, glue and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.

Work in a well-ventilated area and protect your airways when spraying with an airbrush. Keep the paints out of the reach of children.