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I'm about half way through completing my 1/72 Academy F-86F model. Things went well at first, but now I'm stuck. The problem is the canopy.
Unlike every other model I've ever bought, the raised frame iines for the canopy are molded not on the outside of the canopy, but inside! And Academy thinks that's going to be easy to paint?!
With every other problem I've encountered with models, the solution comes after some one-to-one brainstorming with myself, or from reading posts here at FineScale. Now, I'm stumped. I haven't found any after-market canopies for this model, and darned if I can come up with any strategy that seems useful. I would never be happy with the model if I can't somehow add frame lines, including the oval windscreen at the from of the canopy. Any suggestions, short of opening a bottle of Crown Royal whiskey?
Bob
On the bench: A diorama to illustrate the crash of a Beech T-34B Mentor which I survived in 1962 (I'm using Minicraft's 1/48 model of the Mentor), and a Pegasus model of the submarine Nautilus of 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas fame.
I think the kit is a re-box of a Hobby Craft one. Eduard did a mask set for it, CX 155. If you can find it, that would help.
I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so
On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3
I would try the very thin Tamiya plastic tape that bends really nice on curves. I would use iso alcohol to wipe the canopy then try following the frame lines on the outside with the tape. Then use liquid mask for the rest. It's tedious but any time you tape up a canopy is a pita.
Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!
To make the frame itself on the outside of the canopy, maybe you can cut some copper foil tape to the right width? That might be too thick, since I think the thinnest stuff is 1.5 mils thick. Maybe some bare metal foil? I used a patch of that to create the access panel for the BLOS antenna on the F-16CJ I'm building...came out looking decent after I painted it. Its the panel just behind the antenna on the front of the base of the tail. Stands just far enough above the surface to let you know there's something there.
"You can have my illegal fireworks when you pry them from my cold, dead fingers...which are...over there somewhere."
If your F-86 is done in NMF as most are, I used real metal duct tape found in any D>I>Y> store. I cut the tape in the proper tiny width and simply applied it to the canopy and done.
I'm finally retired. Now time I got, money I don't.
Jay Jay If your F-86 is done in NMF as most are, I used real metal duct tape found in any D>I>Y> store. I cut the tape in the proper tiny width and simply applied it to the canopy and done.
I'm 72 if I did it, you can too
Jay Jay is right. It's very doable. I use a steel straight edge and a sharp x-acto knife.
I have used this on a couple of builds, and one of the materials I use is clear decal paper. It's very thin, and for painted framing you can spray the decal paper the proper color, coat it with dull-coat or decal bonder and then cut strips out to apply as framing. It works, and the paint adheres very well to the decal paper even after soaking in water.
One other material I've experimented with is vinyl tape. It's very flexible, and you can apply it in strips as the other. You will have to paint it afterwards, however.
Anyway, good luck with whatever method you use!
Gary
You xcan make decal strips from decal paper. Spray aluminum paint over a piece of blank decal paper. It is easy to cut the paper into thin strips. I know several folks who mask canopies that way. The main stripes you need to do this way are the big arch and the two front stripes. Painting around the base is pretty easy- just use paint here.
Don Stauffer in Minnesota
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