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F-22 canopy question

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  • Member since
    June 2009
F-22 canopy question
Posted by jimbot58 on Sunday, November 8, 2009 2:39 AM

Originaly, I understand the the canopy of the F-22 was to be coated with a layer of gold that was to protect the pilot from radiation hazard from the powerful radar. I then read that this was changed as the the pilot was not as exposed as originally believed. Now almost all the on-line references I have looked at so far shows either a clear canopy or a smoke tinted one. My problem is that my Revell of Germany F-22 1/72 scale kit includes a yellow tinted canopy (Not gold!). I wonder if I will be able to tint over the gold (using some Gunze Clear Smoke-I've done this on other kits) and not make it look wrong. My usual method was to spray the tint on the inside of the canopy so the outside surface stayed absolutly glossy and clear.

Any thoughts on this? I hate to experiment on something I have one of..... 

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  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Sydney, Australia
Posted by Phil_H on Sunday, November 8, 2009 4:59 AM
If your Gunze "smoke" is acrylic (H-95), feel free to experiment away. If it doesn't work the way you want, it will wash clean off with denatured alcohol without affecting the styrene at all.
  • Member since
    June 2009
Posted by jimbot58 on Sunday, November 8, 2009 1:46 PM
Thanks! That's the stuff, though I just checked and it is actually labeled as "Smoke Grey". I just didn't want to have to strip it and fog it up.

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  • Member since
    August 2007
  • From: Shakopee, MN
Posted by Reload on Sunday, November 8, 2009 4:16 PM

If you want to try another way. Fill a small container with future and use food coloring to tint it the color you want or the color that would change the yellow to the shade you want. I then polish my canopies with a wet dry sanding patch kit. I then use regular, not gel, toothpaste and polish up the plastic with that. Once you are satisfied I use dental floss and attach it to the inside frame of the canopy with a drop of clear glue. I then dip the whole thing in the future, let it drip for a few seconds, then put it under a bowl, palstic container, or what have you, and let it dry for a few days. You get crystal clear, glass like canopies with this method.

 

I will say though, after watching film footage, and looking at pictures from the web, I believe that the canopy really is a smoke color but has a mirrored finish on the outside thus giving it the "look" of a gold canopy such as the f-16. You can view th ehigh res full size pic here

http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/photos/menace/images/24797/f-22-raptor-nellis-2008.jpg

 

Brent

1 VP - PPCLI 89-92 A Coy RED DEVILS

 I mean, I had fast motor cars and fast motor bikes, and when I wasn't crashing airplanes, I was crashing motor bikes. It's all part of the game. — Sir Harry Broadhurst, RAF, 12 victories WWII

 

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Georgia
Posted by Screaminhelo on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 5:34 PM

I believe that the "smoke" is just a result of the tinting seen at an angle.  I work next to the Lockheed facility where these planes are built and the canopy does appear to have a gold tint to them.  I have occasionally seen one that didn't appear to be tinted but it has always been one that hasn't been painted yet.  Every one that I have seen delivered seened to have the gold tinted canopy.  Not exactly first hand information though, just a judgement from my calibrated MkI eyeball.

 

 

Mac

I Didn't do it!!!

  • Member since
    June 2009
Posted by jimbot58 on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 3:15 AM

Check this photo....

 

 

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  • Member since
    June 2009
Posted by jimbot58 on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 3:23 AM

Or these....

 

Some look gold tinted.....

But then there are these.....

My brain is begining to hurt...... 

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  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: San Antonio
Posted by paintsniffer on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 9:42 AM

I have heard the F-16s are going away from the tinted canopy.

I think the tint interferes with night vision goggle use. That probably won't be an issue with the F-22 considering the F-22s air to ground role was an afterthought to appease congress. 

Excuse me.. Is that an Uzi?

  • Member since
    August 2007
  • From: Shakopee, MN
Posted by Reload on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 11:08 AM

Great pictures!! IMHO, I think that the conopies are mirrored on the outside, kinda like my aviator glasses. When I am flying, to look through them, they look smoke tint, but on the front of them, they are a mirrored finish and they look like polished aluminum. My dad and brother do allot of cantract work on planes for the military, I will see if they can give me a solid answer.

 

edit - I just emailed the US airforce at Langley Airforce base with a research question on weather the canopies are tinted smoke with mirrored finishes that look like they are gold, or if there are in fact both gold and smoke tinted canopies. I will keep you all informed if I get a response.

 

Brent

1 VP - PPCLI 89-92 A Coy RED DEVILS

 I mean, I had fast motor cars and fast motor bikes, and when I wasn't crashing airplanes, I was crashing motor bikes. It's all part of the game. — Sir Harry Broadhurst, RAF, 12 victories WWII

 

  • Member since
    June 2009
Posted by jimbot58 on Thursday, November 12, 2009 2:54 AM
Those pictures are from cybermodeler.com-they have lots of info and a sh*t load of great photos. Looking forward to what you find out.

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On my workbench now:

It's all about classic cars now!

Why can't I find the "Any" key on my keyboard?

 

 

 

  • Member since
    August 2007
  • From: Shakopee, MN
Posted by Reload on Thursday, November 12, 2009 10:22 AM
Will have to check out that site! Those are very good pictures, So far, no reply as of yet.

1 VP - PPCLI 89-92 A Coy RED DEVILS

 I mean, I had fast motor cars and fast motor bikes, and when I wasn't crashing airplanes, I was crashing motor bikes. It's all part of the game. — Sir Harry Broadhurst, RAF, 12 victories WWII

 

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: San Antonio, Tx
Posted by Army on Thursday, November 12, 2009 6:05 PM
so I have a question what colors would u use to give it a gold tent? (dont know if this was answered our not)
  • Member since
    August 2007
  • From: Shakopee, MN
Posted by Reload on Friday, November 13, 2009 1:18 AM

If you go to a fully loaded baking store you can find more than just your regular colors of food coloring. Thus, if you can find gold you would use that and tint it down with yellow. Other wise yellow and orange mixed in different amounts can give you what you want. As long as you use acrylic base, such as Future, you could also use Tamiya clear paints mixing the yellow and orange as well. Make sure you test the color first so that you are 100% sure it is what you want. You can either dip the conopy or airbrush VERY light coats until the color you want is achieved. Then just buff and polish. If it doesnt work out, use a rag soaked with isopropyl alcohol ( rubbing alcohol) to wipe it clean and then try again.

Hope this helps

 Brent

1 VP - PPCLI 89-92 A Coy RED DEVILS

 I mean, I had fast motor cars and fast motor bikes, and when I wasn't crashing airplanes, I was crashing motor bikes. It's all part of the game. — Sir Harry Broadhurst, RAF, 12 victories WWII

 

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