Panel Lines

[Sam Laughery]

My Vector is nearly finished and I'm thinking about putting on panel lines. Does anyone out the have a pattern or strategy they use when putting lines on a stunt plane like the Vector.  The only plane I've done before was a 1/8 scale P-47 and I had a detailed drawing as a guide.  Any assistance would be appreciated.

Sam

[Randy Powell]

Sam,

It depends on whether you're looking for realism or just some accent to increase the coolness. When I do a non-semiscale stunt plane, I just try to use panel lines to suggest structure. Give a sort of surrealistic view of the how the plane is built. Not at all realistic, I suppose, but enhances the overall appearance. When doing a semiscale, it's easier in a way. Just follow the 3 view.

Look over old issues of Stunt News. There are many, many examples of panel lines, but realistic and fanciful.