Canopy replacement toot

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Fermis
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Canopy replacement toot

Post by Fermis »

Part 1

This is a little different from my usual "smash-mold" canopy.
Normally, I just use the kit part to smash-mold over. Works great for most WW2 planes with multiple sections of canopy.

This is for an H-34.
Just smash-molding over the kit part would lead to some issues....#1, the new part would be too big, and #2...molded on windshield wipers would make things a little wonky.

This being my 1st attempt at doing things this way...I tested on a spare P-51 canopy. I brushed on some mold release, just to be safe...no issues!

Moving on, I used Testors clear parts cement to glue some "dams" on the kit part...

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Once the mold release was dry, I filled with plaster...

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Once that plaster had dried (enough), I added some more plaster and a mounting screw...

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Popped free (no prob!)...

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After cleaning up the edges, mounted to a scrap board. Clear plastic from an Eduard "Brassin" set and a heat source...

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At this point, the blank is too small to smash-mold a finished product. To thicken the blank, I smash-molded a layer...

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I cut thin strips of tape to mark the edges...

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Trimmed and CA'ed to the plaster. Now it's ready to go!!!

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Being relatively large, with curves in different directions....it took at least a dozen attempts, to get just 2 pieces that I could work with.

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Not gonna lie...it took a 44oz bladder bustin rum-pop and many VERY angry words to get through this!
After a solid hour and a half...I jacked up the 1st decent piece. I spent a bit more time on the second, and finally have something that's workable.

I had to glue "spreaders" to the side window frames, using the kit parts to set the distances. These things are flimsy as all get out and were the source of many an angry word!

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That's where it stands right now.
Hopefully, I can get it finished up tomorrow.
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KSaarni
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Re: Canopy replacement toot

Post by KSaarni »

Wouh, that is really cool ( or should I say warm :grin: ) !

- Kari
---
On the bench:
Tamiya F-4B Phantom II 1/48
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LyleW
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Re: Canopy replacement toot

Post by LyleW »

Oh my! Thanks!
To make each build less crappy than the last one. Or, put another way, "Better than the last one, not as good as the next one!"..
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BlackSheep214
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Re: Canopy replacement toot

Post by BlackSheep214 »

Wow...
“Who controls the skies, controls the fate of this Earth”

Author unknown- 352nd Fighter Group, Blue-Nosed Bastards of Bodney

“Send one plane it’s a sortie; send two planes it’s a flight; send four planes it’s a test of airpower. - Richard Kohn
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Floki
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Re: Canopy replacement toot

Post by Floki »

Results are worth all the time put in.
March as one, Don't look back
Odin's sons... Attack!
Unleash hell! Do not repent! Warfare grants us no lament
Let your weapons slash and tear This is no place for fear
Hold the lines! Move as one! In unity our victory's won
Our shields will form a mighty wall
United we shall never fall
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Stuart
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Re: Canopy replacement toot

Post by Stuart »

Awesome work Fermis, I don't think I'd have the patience to do that, even with the swearing!
Stuart Templeton 'I may not be good but I'm slow...'

My blog: https://stuartsscalemodels.blogspot.com/
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Stikpusher
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Re: Canopy replacement toot

Post by Stikpusher »

How do you replicate the framing on the new part?
"Surely I have made my meaning plain? I intend to avenge myself upon you, Admiral. I have deprived your ship of power, and when I swing 'round, I intend to deprive you of your life."

FLSM
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Fermis
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Re: Canopy replacement toot

Post by Fermis »

Thanks dudes!

Lyle...you're very welcome!
Stikpusher wrote:How do you replicate the framing on the new part?
Layers of paint!


Got it done!
Lots of trial-n-error...test fit...trim...test...trim...etc.
It's not 100% perfect, but is really close....and beats not having the part!

I cut masks on the original part and transferred to the new piece...

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I was not happy with it. So, I cut strips to match the framing. Also made a wiper blade (lower right in pic). The kit part has two wipers, but I could not find an example of a real one that had two...all had just a single, in front of the right seat.

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Just filled in the "glass" and peeled off the strips...(wiper is not attached)

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Stikpusher
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Re: Canopy replacement toot

Post by Stikpusher »

Ok, using the original for mask guides, then lots of paint built up makes sense.
"Surely I have made my meaning plain? I intend to avenge myself upon you, Admiral. I have deprived your ship of power, and when I swing 'round, I intend to deprive you of your life."

FLSM
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BlackSheep214
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Re: Canopy replacement toot

Post by BlackSheep214 »

What if you used Mr. Surfacer to create a layer for frames?
“Who controls the skies, controls the fate of this Earth”

Author unknown- 352nd Fighter Group, Blue-Nosed Bastards of Bodney

“Send one plane it’s a sortie; send two planes it’s a flight; send four planes it’s a test of airpower. - Richard Kohn
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