Spitfire help - Aircraft of World War II

Pusskyfly · 08-05-2009, 05:57 PM

Hey there, am new here

I recently started getting back into modelling again after seeing flying legends at Duxford \o/.
I used to do a fair bit when I was younger so have limited experience, however to get myself back into the swing I thought I'd try a simple Airfix 1/72 Spitfire mk1 and try out some more advanced techniques.

I'm going for the open cockpit so have cut the canopy into 3 pieces however it just seems too thick so I thought I'd come to you guys for some advice on what to do \o/.

Am still a novice so noting too complex yet I hope. It just seems impossible to slide the canopy back right now in the right way. Any advice would be cool thanks.
I would take pictures but my camera seems to get really blurry close up

Colin1 · 08-05-2009, 06:01 PM

You could try these
I've no experience of Falcon but they do seem to get good reviews

Instructions for Clear-Vax set 41

A4K · 08-05-2009, 07:23 PM

Look no further! Got that set, and my Mk.I canopies are going spare...

Which type are you after? They offer the Mk.I (flat hood/ dimmer screen), Mk.I (bulged / unarmoured screen), and Mk.I/II/ early V (bulged/ armoured screen).
Let us know which, and drop us your address in a PM.

Evan

Airframes · 08-05-2009, 07:33 PM

That's that sorted then!
Yep, it's often very difficult, especially in 1/72nd scale, to be able to position the canopy open unless the kit parts are provided for this. The reason being, as you've discovered, the mouldings are too thick, and can't always be successfully thinned. Vac formed or heat formed canopies, made from thinner acetate or clear styrene sheet are the answer, and it looks like Evan has you covered.

Pusskyfly · 08-05-2009, 08:12 PM

Thanks guys, much appreciated

vikingBerserker · 08-05-2009, 08:56 PM

Good luck to you Pusskyfly, and welcome aboard.

conkerking · 08-29-2009, 02:20 PM

Look forward to seeing your Spit when she's finished, as a fellow novice getting into Spitfires... I've just finished that same kit, but converted it into a Mk. IIb... sort of! Will post under finished kits.

08-05-2009, 05:57 PM	#1
Pusskyfly Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: England Posts: 23	Spitfire help Hey there, am new here I recently started getting back into modelling again after seeing flying legends at Duxford \o/. I used to do a fair bit when I was younger so have limited experience, however to get myself back into the swing I thought I'd try a simple Airfix 1/72 Spitfire mk1 and try out some more advanced techniques. I'm going for the open cockpit so have cut the canopy into 3 pieces however it just seems too thick so I thought I'd come to you guys for some advice on what to do \o/. Am still a novice so noting too complex yet I hope. It just seems impossible to slide the canopy back right now in the right way. Any advice would be cool thanks. I would take pictures but my camera seems to get really blurry close up

08-05-2009, 07:33 PM	#4
Airframes Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 9,062	That's that sorted then! Yep, it's often very difficult, especially in 1/72nd scale, to be able to position the canopy open unless the kit parts are provided for this. The reason being, as you've discovered, the mouldings are too thick, and can't always be successfully thinned. Vac formed or heat formed canopies, made from thinner acetate or clear styrene sheet are the answer, and it looks like Evan has you covered. __________________

08-05-2009, 08:56 PM	#6
vikingBerserker Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,760	Good luck to you Pusskyfly, and welcome aboard. __________________ "Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it" "Those who dwell in the past, condemn the future"

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08-05-2009, 06:01 PM	#2
Colin1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1,765	You could try these I've no experience of Falcon but they do seem to get good reviews Instructions for Clear-Vax set 41

08-05-2009, 07:23 PM	#3
A4K Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3,224	Look no further! Got that set, and my Mk.I canopies are going spare... Which type are you after? They offer the Mk.I (flat hood/ dimmer screen), Mk.I (bulged / unarmoured screen), and Mk.I/II/ early V (bulged/ armoured screen). Let us know which, and drop us your address in a PM. Evan

08-05-2009, 08:12 PM	#5
Pusskyfly Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: England Posts: 23	Thanks guys, much appreciated

08-29-2009, 02:20 PM	#7
conkerking Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Castle Bromwich, what! (via Church Warsop, Notts. UK) Posts: 316	Look forward to seeing your Spit when she's finished, as a fellow novice getting into Spitfires... I've just finished that same kit, but converted it into a Mk. IIb... sort of! Will post under finished kits.