Botched canopy

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but looks like no body makes replacement vac canopies for your model. I did a quick search hoping Falcon canopies had them but no such luck and couldn't find anything from Squadron either in that scale.

Good luck dealing with Trumpeter. I had a similar issue and it was like talking to the wall. Hopefully you will have better luck than me.

You could sand the scratches out and polish up the bad canopy (still won't be usable), then use it as a master to vacuum-form a new one.

I have a vacuum form machine and have contemplated just that. I 've sent an email to Stevens to see if I can get a new one and barring that I may just try that. Thanks for the ideas.

ICIT

Hi ;

   If you have a VAC-U-FORM machine then your path is clear .Sand that canopy and associated pieces until smooth .Leave the frames intact .Then polish them with NOVUS  system Till they shine .         They may not be clear but so what  .Now lock them down to the Vac U Form platen ( base ) with non oily clay.    

     Be careful not to spread the pieces from side to side.Use the best plastic sheet you can find .Not Styrene but Butyrate ,Acetate or other . Now heat , Vac , and cool . You should get nice pieces that way , And they will be thinner and will allow you to pose them better too .

      I have a ship model that had a clear deck ( a carrier ) so you could show off the hangar deck .Well it was kind of foggy right out of the box .The harder I tried the worse it got . Something about the clear plastic . Finally I was forced to cut windows in the flight deck ( the grey one ) and then carve and insert windows made from C.D. Jewel cases .

     Of course you cannot do that with an aircraft canopy .Good luck with the Vac forming !

Thanks tank builder, I've had some success with the polish and Novus system. I've had to strip the pieces of future and paint and then start from scratch, although not entirely happy it's a lot better than having to go through what you've written- but I am prepared to that if necessary. If I can do the picture post thing I will post the results. thanks.

ICIT

Hey ICIT !

   You may not have to do that .I was thinking about your dilemna . I think you might be able to save them very valuable pieces . Did you know that Dawn dish detergent is good for removing Future ?

    Now along that same line , Before , using the Novus and watching T.V. while slowly polishing them back to clarity ( that's what I do .) Do this wash them completely in Denatured Alcohol . Then You should be good to go .

Too late! I soaked them in Windex Original for 24hrs and they stripped right clean. I then took the Novus system to them and they sparkled right up, there was still some very slight scratching that you had to look for but I am happy. I re-dipped them in future and they are presently drying, I will post tomorrow how they turned out, but for now its Easter ham and turkey time.  Happy Easter to all.

ICIT

Well See !

 I did the Ham and stuff too .Glad it worked out .