Tamiya Weirdness

Very interesting indeed.  Can't wait to see the finished product.  Keep us posted, Raymond

I don't know why they include those to begin with. I think 99.99% of people don't use them. Which is actually why they probably went lazy on them.

I've got the Trumpy P-47 on my bench and they molded the cowl on it clear...and it's crystal clear...I painted i of course.

The engine is a very intricate and detailed item, so I have chosen to use the clear panels.  Why build something that nice and then hide it out of sight forever?

Why? To market and sell their polishing compunds and accessories ;-)

most likely reused the same mold for both clear and solid.  Glad you found an easy fix!

Yes, CN Spots, I think that is the answer!

I don't have those tamiya kits so are they made to show off interior parts.

I know my my fw-190d kits has a extra cowl panel that sits over the guns but one side is frosted what's there purpose. ?

I have bin wanting to post that question and this looks like a good spot.

Yes, the purpose is to show off the interior parts.  If you have a clear but frosted part, try dipping it in Future if you want to clear it up.  They look nice- but be careful with the glue.  I have tried using Future as a glue, and it seems to work well and stays invisible.  Otherwise, a white glue like Elmer's or Aleen's will work well and dry clear, too.

Cadet Chuck

The engine is a very intricate and detailed item, so I have chosen to use the clear panels.  Why build something that nice and then hide it out of sight forever?

I don't have the Corsair yet...but the other 1/32 Tamiya kits are engineered for the cowl to be removable so you can display them with the engines exposed.

I'm just saying most people opt to build military replicas and usually paint over the gimmicky clear parts which is probably why they are just molding it in the same mold as the opaque one.

I think the domestic (Japanese) boxings don't even have the clear cowl option...for whatever reason.

Oh...and dipping your canopies in Future will make them look spectacular...try it :)

Cadet Chuck

Yes, the purpose is to show off the interior parts.  If you have a clear but frosted part, try dipping it in Future if you want to clear it up.  They look nice- but be careful with the glue.  I have tried using Future as a glue, and it seems to work well and stays invisible.  Otherwise, a white glue like Elmer's or Aleen's will work well and dry clear, too.

Godzilla:

I used Aleene's white glue on the windshield of my "Jug". Now I want to give everything a very light coat of the NMF. It popped right off, No problems at all.. When I first put it on, I thought I had too much "glue" but the next day, You couldn't see any of the glue.

Good luck with yours. I'm going to start a B-17 next month. I'm buying it from a co-member of my model club.I'll be posting it here and I'll be watching for yours.

Aleen's white glue works really well...and it does dry clear.

I've used future too...and it works.

However, if there is any semblance of framing on the edge to be mated I use Tamiya Extra Thin and just glue it down.