by DWD » Sat Nov 03, 2012 4:02 pm
Not intrusive at all DWD. Your build looks awesome! Definately an inspiration and the open canopy on the one Tomcat is insane. I would love to know how you did that on such a small plane. Your base looks great as well.
Denis[/quote]
The tomcat with the open canopy is from Pitroad, you may be able to get the same result using Trumpeter aircraft, the difference is Pitroad uses regular gray plastic for their molds and trumpeter uses clear plastic for theirs. It seems the clear plastic can be a bit more brittle and you stand the chance of destroying the aircraft in the process of removing the canopy and hollowing out the cockpit, but it can be done. Anyway the process; I used a thin plastic clear sheet called "thermalform" that you can obtain through squadron.com or evergreen scale models, you will also need a donor tomcat (I will explain why "donor" in a second). The donor aircraft is placed in a vise or clamp with the forward part of the fuselage exposed. The clamp that I use has rubber on it so its a little more gentle on the pieces I am clamping. Like I said, it may end up being a "donor" because chances are you won't be able to use it for your model afterwards. But used in this fasion, you could use it to make as many canopies as you need for future builds as well. Anyway, once your aircraft is in the vice, take a big enough piece of the clear "thermalform" plastic and heat it. I usually use a candle. You will also want to leave enough room on each side of the clear plastic so you can hold it while you heat the center of it. Once it has been heated sufficiently; and you will know when the plastic begins to sag or droop that it is heated, you then place the plastic over the canopy of the donor aircraft and while still holding it, make sure it completely covers the canopy you will be copying and pull the plastic down over the canopy. This is called "plunging". Hold the plastic in place for a few seconds and let it cool. Once it's cool you can remove it and you will see the canopy shape left in your piece. At this point you will have to take some sharp scissors or a hobby blade and cut the canopy out. It may take a few trys and patience before your successful. You will then need to remove the canopy and hollow out the cockpit on your display aircraft. Painting is straight forward, just tiny. I actually used tiny bits and pieces of plastic to make the interior of the tomcat too. Ejector seats and hood. I attached the pieces with small amout of CA or superglue. I actually have my completed build posted to the completed builds section if you wanted to see anymore of it. There are a few other aircraft with open canopies and cockpits. Hope this helps. Can't wait to see your build.
Not intrusive at all DWD. Your build looks awesome! Definately an inspiration and the open canopy on the one Tomcat is insane. I would love to know how you did that on such a small plane. Your base looks great as well.
Denis[/quote]
The tomcat with the open canopy is from Pitroad, you may be able to get the same result using Trumpeter aircraft, the difference is Pitroad uses regular gray plastic for their molds and trumpeter uses clear plastic for theirs. It seems the clear plastic can be a bit more brittle and you stand the chance of destroying the aircraft in the process of removing the canopy and hollowing out the cockpit, but it can be done. Anyway the process; I used a thin plastic clear sheet called "thermalform" that you can obtain through squadron.com or evergreen scale models, you will also need a donor tomcat (I will explain why "donor" in a second). The donor aircraft is placed in a vise or clamp with the forward part of the fuselage exposed. The clamp that I use has rubber on it so its a little more gentle on the pieces I am clamping. Like I said, it may end up being a "donor" because chances are you won't be able to use it for your model afterwards. But used in this fasion, you could use it to make as many canopies as you need for future builds as well. Anyway, once your aircraft is in the vice, take a big enough piece of the clear "thermalform" plastic and heat it. I usually use a candle. You will also want to leave enough room on each side of the clear plastic so you can hold it while you heat the center of it. Once it has been heated sufficiently; and you will know when the plastic begins to sag or droop that it is heated, you then place the plastic over the canopy of the donor aircraft and while still holding it, make sure it completely covers the canopy you will be copying and pull the plastic down over the canopy. This is called "plunging". Hold the plastic in place for a few seconds and let it cool. Once it's cool you can remove it and you will see the canopy shape left in your piece. At this point you will have to take some sharp scissors or a hobby blade and cut the canopy out. It may take a few trys and patience before your successful. You will then need to remove the canopy and hollow out the cockpit on your display aircraft. Painting is straight forward, just tiny. I actually used tiny bits and pieces of plastic to make the interior of the tomcat too. Ejector seats and hood. I attached the pieces with small amout of CA or superglue. I actually have my completed build posted to the completed builds section if you wanted to see anymore of it. There are a few other aircraft with open canopies and cockpits. Hope this helps. Can't wait to see your build.