SPA Modeler

Medicman71 wrote:Very nice! You're really making progress.

I guess, but ever so slow! Sheesh....

Stuart wrote:You're nailing this one into shape Lyle!

Thanks! Nails, screws, tape, snot...whatever it takes!

Duke Maddog wrote:Beautiful work Lyle! That instrument panel is sensational! Excellent work on the nacelles; they are looking well blended.

Thanks, Mark! The IP is a two piece from the PE. I could like those.

If I had a beer, I'd likely be crying in it. I list my foibles so you can enjoy not doing this stuff yourself! Anyway,

I have/had plans on using he kit's split windshield. I simply cannot make the vacuform stuff work. I got them in place using Gator's Grip and a bit of CA, bot them "masked" and tried fitting the halves together. Wah, wah, wah....Besides looking crappy, the masks did not match the kindergarten scratching that was supposed to be the canopy framing. The long edge where they would join together on each half was sticking out a good 1/32 of an inch or more. Been working on that. Of course that causes all sorts of alignment issues (2nd pic)





So, having nothing much to lose (you know where this is going) I decided to sand everything smooth, polish it out and try reapplying the masks. The left side piece came out, then it cracked, inside corners are great for that. I've glued the crack and will continue polishing it as best as I can. .



I do have two Squadron Vac canopies I bought way back for this thing. I usually cannot get them cut out worth a hoot, but this one isn't too bad. It is very, very flimsy and doesn't fit a whole lot better than the kit piece. How do you attach these things? I am stumped.



Thus ends my story of "woe is me" for today. Oh, removing the port windscreen let things fit enough better that the alignment issues are gone. Now to figure out how to put it back.

Lyle Lyle Lyle... Do yourself a favour man and buy a few Tamiya kits!

Stuart wrote:Lyle Lyle Lyle... Do yourself a favour man and buy a few Tamiya kits!

Where is the fun in that?

I was expecting that the canopy would give you a fight. When I realized the canopy was in two pieces, it was a YGBSM moment. I did what you did; glued each side to the respective sides and laid the open side of the fuselage flat and worked with them until I had an excellent alignment and fit. It sure took awhile. I commend you on getting the vac canopy cut; it does look good. You should be able to use any clear parts glue available to glue that into place. I used the Testor's window cement to glue the vac canopy onto the 1/48 scale Distressed Kit Mustang I had gotten. It worked a charm.

Good luck my friend; you got this!

Thanks, Mark. I just got some new canopy glue. Don’t much like the Testors stuff, plus it is getting pretty old. I am determined to polish this turd of a windscreen until it shines like the knob on Mustang1989’s shifter or disintegrates!

LyleW wrote:

Stuart wrote:Lyle Lyle Lyle... Do yourself a favour man and buy a few Tamiya kits!

Where is the fun in that?

lol! Very true, I've only ever built a couple myself!

Lyle, my favorite canopy glue is Formula 560, we use it for canopies on R/C airplanes.