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airplane canopy's

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  • Member since
    July 2019
  • From: Northern IL.
airplane canopy's
Posted by Bob D on Monday, July 22, 2019 10:50 PM

Why can't canopy's be built by the manufacure without the glass installed and we could install the glass after painting the frame? 

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Hatboro, PA
Posted by Justinryan215 on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 1:06 PM

sounds like that would be a nightmare!

"...failure to do anything because someone else can do better makes us rather dull and lazy..."

Mortal as I am,I know that I am born for a day.  But when I follow at my pleasure the serried multitude of the stars in their circular course, my feet no longer touch the Earth...

 

fox
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Narvon, Pa.
Posted by fox on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 1:30 PM

Sounds like a great idea to me. Maybe one of the garage businesses could do it? Would probably sell like hotcakes.

Jim  Captain

 Main WIP: 

   On the Bench: Artesania Latina  (aka) Artists in the Latrine 1/75 Bluenose II

I keep hitting "escape", but I'm still here.

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posted by Real G on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 1:41 PM

I think the necessary thickness of the clear parts would leave unsightly visible edges where they meet the framing.  It would be hard to get the parts to fit perfectly with no steps or gaps.  That being said, there must be successful examples on the market now.

In the same vein as the OP’s suggestion, I’d like to see tampo printed canopy det cords in canopies.  Currently there are only decals and frosted molded-in det cords.  The tampo print process is well developed and can print fine wiggly white lines with great precision.  One aftermarket company does a vinyl cut det cord, but only for 1/48 Harrier IIs.

“Ya ya ya, unicorn papoi!”

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Northern California
Posted by jeaton01 on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 3:14 PM

I wouldn't like that at all. Too hard to hide the transition from opaque to clear.

John

To see build logs for my models:  http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

 

  • Member since
    July 2019
  • From: Northern IL.
Posted by Bob D on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 9:38 AM

I contacted Revell and they quit making the model in 1918. I guess my model will sit without a Canopy.

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 9:53 AM

Bob D
......they quit making the model in 1918. I guess my model will sit without a Canopy.

Wow, talk about a vintage kit! Stick out tongue

 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 11:52 AM

Greg
 
Bob D
......they quit making the model in 1918. I guess my model will sit without a Canopy. 

Wow, talk about a vintage kit! Stick out tongue

 

Greg, I had the same thought, and I almost passed my tea through my nose when I saw your reply!

 

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 11:56 AM

Bob D

I contacted Revell and they quit making the model in 1918. I guess my model will sit without a Canopy.

 
All kidding about your date typo aside, which model are you talking about, Bob?  You might find someone here has a spare.  Or, maybe you can find a vacuform canopy for the kit.
 
As far as producing an airplane with canopy framing without glazing goes, Monogram did that, pretty much, with its 1/48 F4U kit (that's the kit that you'll find under the Revell label, post-merger).
 
They molded the canopy frame to the fuselage, and the glazing was a separate piece that you had to insert from below.  It doesn't make finishing the canopy any easier, really.

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: Milaca, Minnesota
Posted by falconmod on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 12:12 PM

Don't forget about trying to glue it to the frame without smearing the glue onto the transparency.   I'd much rather mask it with either tamiya tape or liquid mask.

John

On the Bench: 1/72 Ki-67, 1/48 T-38

1/144 AC-130, 1/72 AV-8A Harrier

  • Member since
    July 2019
  • From: Northern IL.
Posted by Bob D on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 11:35 PM

Woops: 2018 BeerBeer

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Northern California
Posted by jeaton01 on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 12:08 AM

I just remembered.  The first plastic model I ever built was the box scale Revell F-89D, which had a canopy separate from the surrounding metal framing.  I clearly remember cracking the bow in the middle trying to get it to fit into the groove in the clear part.  So perhaps at least Revell has been there, done that, and found it wanting, as I don't recall other similar examples where framing that passed over the canopy was molded separately by Revell.  Of course, many of the kits they were making back then had no glass at all and none of us had heard of using white glue.  Well, there was probably one guy somewhere who knew, having graduated from Stromberg wood kits, but he probably was older than the 8 or 9 years old I was in 1955.

 

One thing I did not remember, and did not remark when I much later built another, was that the kit has amazingly fine recessed panel lines and rivet detail, counterbalanced by raised lines where the insignia are.

 

John

To see build logs for my models:  http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

 

  • Member since
    February 2005
Posted by marcopreto on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 4:45 AM

You can try to vac-form the canopy yourself! It can look daunting, but it is not as hard as one might think. Some time ago, I made a post in my blog, showing how I vac-formed a new canopy, because the kit one was to nasty to be used. You can check it here:

http://mpminiatures.wordpress.com/2016/02/11/me-262-a-1au-3-172-scale-part-2/#more-536

In this example, I used the kit canopy to create the master used to form the new canopy, but you can create your own out of wood, epoxy putty, etc... just polish it to a very high sheen (with wood, you can coat it with ca glue, let it completely cure and them polish this surface; it usually results very well). I hope you find this helpful.

Cheers

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 10:46 AM

the Baron
Greg, I had the same thought, and I almost passed my tea through my nose when I saw your reply!

Thanks for enjoying my kidding around, Brad. Always makes it more fun to get feedback. Smile

And yes, back to Bob's question (and I enjoyed your beer/beer emojis Yes.....been there, done that....)

Good advice so far. And I wonder if anyone makes a canopy mask set for your model? I don't know if you've ever used one, but they make it process of canopy painting almost painless. Almost.

  • Member since
    July 2016
  • From: Malvern, PA
Posted by WillysMB on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 11:22 AM

Hmmm...

1/72 Lancaster with separate frame and glazing...

I get shivers just thinking about it.

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 12:03 PM

Bob-what's the kit?  I bet we can help you get a replacement.

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 1:06 PM

I've built a few like that.  Six a one to half dozen to me.  I got the hang of masking canopies after awhile.  The ones that are harder are the hoods, like the F4F and SBD, but have develped tricks for those too.  There was a thread recently in the Tools, Techiques and Reference Materials section.  It was either in the techiques or the painting and airbrushing forum, and folks discussed their techniquess.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 1:35 PM

Hi; 

 I remember some REVELL kits like that. Now MONOGRAM did at least two I remember. The Texan trainer and the P-51-D . The trick with canopies is yes, they are thick so if you have problems with it fitting the frame or vice versa then Hot water is your friend.

 I like to use my trusty Mattel Vac-U-Form to do my canopies, using the kit part as the master. This method has worked for me for years.

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 1:44 PM

Hi;

   On some framing I use the color closest to what I can get in Flexible Auto striping tape . I cut my sections and lay them out and paint them The color they need to be. Peel off the backing, Attach to  the canopies. Then turn it over and using a Very Fine brush do the inner color.

 This is something I started doing to multi-framed canopies years ago. 

  • Member since
    August 2014
  • From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Posted by goldhammer on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 1:50 PM

WillysMB

Hmmm...

1/72 Lancaster with separate frame and glazing...

I get shivers just thinking about it.

 

Or a G4M "Betty"

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Close to Chicago
Posted by JohnnyK on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 3:52 PM

On newer aircraft with simple canopy framing I used Bare Metal Foil to finish the framing. I use Eduard precut masks on  WW II bombers with a lot of complex framing.

Your comments and questions are always welcome.

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Thursday, January 30, 2020 4:16 AM

Eduard canopy masks...better than sliced bread. 

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    August 2016
Posted by Keyda81 on Thursday, January 30, 2020 9:56 AM

falconmod

Don't forget about trying to glue it to the frame without smearing the glue onto the transparency.   I'd much rather mask it with either tamiya tape or liquid mask.

John

 

This.  I make a mess when it comes to glue.  The more I try to not get it everywhere, the more I get it everywhere.

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