Hi Ya'll:
In a takeoff on one of the threds. Visible Interiors--Do We or Don't We?? As we are all aware many models do have visible Interiors. Cars, Trucks, Light Skinned Armor Vehicles, some Tanks and definitely some open top Self Propelled guns. Most fighter Jets and Civil aircraft(Privately owned Pipers Cessna and Gulfstreams and even a Honda Airplanes.In ships there were the Nuke subs.
Airliners now are a conundrum. Thatr have been some in the past that have so called interiors. An old Comet Airliner and some Bombers we have had Clear sides like the Submarines. comes to mind, then Later an L-1011. But you had to open the airplane to see the inside and no self respecting aircraft would sit there with half it's side up for you to see the seats! In what to do. What I used to do and still do if I get bit by the bug is this. First I decide which scale I want to do this in.
There aren't many that would lend itself to this. So either the bigger scales or nothing smaller than 1/72. What would you say is the hardest thing to get right in these kits. How about all those windows running down the side?? I think that's the biggest Buggaboo. There many ways to approach this problem. here's one that has worked for me. Take your plane and if it has even light moldings where the windows are, then put a divot in the center.
Take your faithful Number 11 blade and carefully cut to the lines on each and every one of these areas. Yes, that's a lot of work. Wanna stop here? That's okay. it's a job for sure. Now on the inside of the craft taper the wall of plastic so yoy have a decent edge on the window. Stop here and check your alignment Here comes the hard stuff. The clear stuff. Not really. look at the outside closely, Is the outside showing any kind of plate or panel lines?
If it is, you can do this and I have done this a few times. There plastics like Saran Wrap out there (Thickness Wise) that can be used. Good Cellophane is one. Now cut a strip the length or the plane, Not much wider than the windows. Using White Glue attach this to the body of the plane squeezing the glue out everywhere you can till this material is tight, straight, and smooth! Just make sure you don't get and slobber in the window holes.Now take a wet "Q" tip and go around the indide of each window. Set it aside and start buildingYour interior. Surely, you have used the contour gage so you already know the shapes of the inner bulkheads.
Now paint the inside a bright white color. Semi-Gloss! This will allow the incoming light to difuse and kinda light up the interior. You will be able to see it! That's what You want. Not really heavy detail ,but enough that the interior is in there and visible! If anyone is interested I will next talk about the use of "Windows" that match the outer lines of a subject so the "Clear" window keeps the contours right!
T.B.