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How to glue windows that fell inside of a fuselage

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  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: MN
How to glue windows that fell inside of a fuselage
Posted by 101stAirborne on Saturday, August 23, 2014 3:06 PM

Hi everyone,

I was working on Revell's 1/48 PBY Catalina and I got the fuselage all glued together and some of the side windows came unglued and fell inside the fuselage. Now they are rattling around in there. Does anyone know of a good way to get the windows out and glue them back in without tearing the fuselage in half?

Thanks,

Ryan

Models on the bench:

Too many to count!

  

  • Member since
    September 2012
  • From: Indianapolis
Posted by Squatch88 on Saturday, August 23, 2014 4:00 PM

I've had this happen. What I did was shake the model until I could get the piece to an opening, then I put some wax on a q-tip and got hold of the piece. Then added more glue and gently put it back in place. It's not a full proof plan and its annoying as hell becuase the wax doesnt always get a great grab on the piece. But it beats opening the fuselage back up

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: MN
Posted by 101stAirborne on Saturday, August 23, 2014 4:41 PM

Thanks for the tip! Sounds easier than tearing the fuse apart!

Thanks,

Ryan

Models on the bench:

Too many to count!

  

  • Member since
    March 2013
Posted by patrick206 on Sunday, August 24, 2014 5:14 PM

Ryan - In most cases I've had good luck with using an aggressive double sided tape, wrapped around the end of either smooth cut sprue, or skewer stick ends. If the clear parts are big enough, then using two of the sprue's gives even more of a grip and maneuverability while holding in place. The wider the surface of adhesive  you can manage, the better. Tenax sets up very quickly, so the bit can be released soon.

Patience and continued attempts usually pays off for me. Hope you get them in place OK.

Patrick

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Monday, August 25, 2014 9:32 AM

One solution to windows on a model that the fuselage sides are glued together already is to cut small blank pieces of clear decal film and put it over the window area.  On smaller scale models you can use the white-glue-like transparency junk- several brands out there, but they will only cover a small window, and probably won't work on 1:48.  The hardest job is getting the old windows out, so schemes where you make windows from something else allows you to just leave the old windows inside :-)

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    May 2006
  • From: Chapin, South Carolina
Posted by Shipwreck on Monday, August 25, 2014 5:10 PM

If you have used a water soluble glue, you can wet a large clear piece to break it loose, shake a little, and start again.

On the Bench:

Revell 1/96 USS Constitution - rigging

Revell 1/48 B-1B Lancer Prep and research

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  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Cameron, Texas
Posted by Texgunner on Monday, August 25, 2014 8:51 PM

One little tip that I've used that might be applicable somehow; when I've had to glue aircraft exhausts, like those on a Mustang or Spit, from the inside and I was worried that they might get dislodged after sewing up the fuselage, I used a strip of really sticky tape over them against the inside of the fuselage.  It helps hold them in place I believe.

Gary


"All you mugs need to get busy building, and post pics!"

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Roanoke, Virginia
Posted by BigJim on Thursday, August 28, 2014 8:42 PM

You may find this little "sucker" helpful.

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Longmont, Colorado
Posted by Cadet Chuck on Thursday, August 28, 2014 10:43 PM

Man, I HATE it when that happens!  Good luck!

Sorry I can't be more helpful

Gimme a pigfoot, and a bottle of beer...

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Ireland
Posted by Spurdog on Friday, August 29, 2014 3:50 AM

Have you tried a length of sprue or paintbrush handle with a small piece of Blue-Tack (Silly Putty) stuck to the end to retreive the clear parts, then gently place the clear part back in its original position using a suitable glue for clear parts (still with the sprue/handle attached), then when tha glue has set, carefully twist (not pull) the sprue/handle from the clear part. Worked for me once!

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