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Sgt.Squarehead

I have to fashion a couple of acetate windshields for my Tigermoth and also several more for some conversion projects I'm tinkering with. I was hoping someone might be able to advise me on a few areas:

Is it better to (score &) fold the acetate for multiple panels like the Tigermoth's miniscule windshields or is it better to use individual panels? What about framing, such as it is?

I'm guessing superglue is the thing to stick 'em with and that after painting and Klearing is the best time to do it. How best to mask them for the matt coat?

Does anyone have any other specific advice pertaining to this field of modelling expertise?

TIA & All the best

Ratch · Posted: Wed 09 Jan 2008 19:59 pm Post subject:

I have (once or twice) used clear plastic sheet. Score & fold would be easier, I'd mark the framing with my bow-pen but it could be carefully brushed

With Superglue you could end up with fogging, so ClearFix (my preferred option) or PVA

I'd apply the Matt Cote by brush, but I suppose you could fix the screens after Matting

HTH
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Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Wed 09 Jan 2008 20:14 pm Post subject:

I tend to have bad luck using CA after matt coating.....Large glossy pools are known to appear, usually followed by prodigious swearing! Silence

I think I will follow your suggestion of score and fold, but I may try adding some very fine prepainted wire into each of the score marks to represent the framing. Perhaps a third piece added along the bottom to finish the job and provide some stiffness. Think

The Tigermoth was to be used for 'airbrushing-wingy-things' practice, in preperation for the Dragon Rapide and one or two others. It looks like it's going to be on hold for a while now though, as I imagine two props at about £1.50 doesn't really constitute 'an order' with Aeroclub!

I guess I'll have to mess up a few more plane kits to make it worthwhile!

All the best

Broom2003 · Posted: Wed 09 Jan 2008 20:18 pm Post subject:

Regarding the glue, I've been using "Plastic Weld" that I picked up from SMW a few years ago from the EMA model supplies stand. I don't know if they are still around though.
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BAC · Posted: Wed 09 Jan 2008 20:19 pm Post subject:

When I did mine I used stretched sprue for the windscreen bars. Three bits of sprue per screen. Two triangle shapes (bent sprue) for the upright bars on the left and right, then a single piece across the top.

It was then 'filled' with Clearfix (or PVA).

I thought about acetate but I thought it was too complicated to try and get all the right angles, and it would probably 'ping' off.

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Loll · Posted: Wed 09 Jan 2008 21:02 pm Post subject:

If you use the clear sheet, with or without the frame, score it, fold it, run PVA down the open side of the fold, let it set, finish your painting, fix screen with more PVA nothing suffers and any over aplication can be wiped away with a damp tissue or cotton bud.

OR fit the Chipmunk canopy and call it a Jackeroo.
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Loll · Posted: Wed 09 Jan 2008 21:08 pm Post subject:

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Thu 10 Jan 2008 00:59 am Post subject:

Brian, guys.....

I notice you have fixed your upper wing in place before painting.....The struts in this kit are rather bendy so I'm wondering if this is to aid in the rigging? (I'm kind of scared by the rigging! Nailbiting

)

Also I've recently heard it mentioned that the lower wings of RAF biplanes were painted in a slightly paler shade of the base tones. Would it be possible to simulate these shades by adding cream or white paint to the base shades rather than buying specific colours.....If so how much should be added?

Sorry for going so far Off Topic

but I thought I might as well get most of my 'Tigermoth Queries' out of the way now.

TIA & All the best

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Thu 10 Jan 2008 01:16 am Post subject:

By The Power Of Moderation.....I Am Now Back On Topic!

I think that perhaps stretched sprue now and clearfix later may indeed be the answer. I need something fairly rugged and reasonably easy to repair.....Cackhanded wargamers being what we are!

I think I will go for a slightly simpler design, a curved rear section and two front-uprights this should give a reasonable representation of a windshield and be fairly tough.

All the best

BAC · Posted: Thu 10 Jan 2008 09:34 am Post subject:

Hi Sgt,

I put the top wing on to give the model strength, also any excess glue blobs could be trimmed before painting. As you can see on the above pictures I painted the awkward inner parts first -the struts and the centre section in front of the front cockpit. This is also where I rigged first, start in the middle and work outwards.

Tiger Moth camoflage colours are different (lighter) on the lower wing. I did this on the Matchbox 1.32 Tiger I did a while back. To be honest I can't remember what colours I used but they were OOP (Out Of Pot). I'll have to hunt around for the instructions to see what I used.

Cheers
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Ratch · Posted: Thu 10 Jan 2008 10:49 am Post subject:

Richard Humm · Blue Star Joined: 22 Apr 2006 Posts: 759

Loll · Posted: Thu 10 Jan 2008 13:07 pm Post subject:

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Tue 15 Jan 2008 00:30 am Post subject:

I'd like to enquire about the long exhaust provided in the Airfix kit.....In quite a few of the reference photos I've downloaded the exhaust pipe appears to be cut off not much beyond the cowling.

Is this a modern mutilation or would this have been seen on wartime Tigermoths too? (One or two of the piccys with cut down exhausts look quite old!)

If I could cut the exhaust down it would probably make painting and weathering the model somewhat simpler.

Here is my first try at the windshields using acetate. They do seem to be a bit on the big side and they have got rather grubby in the battle to get them in place!

Everything is just tacked together with PVA for this picture, except the top wing which is dry fitted.....Badly by the look of the left side struts!

The propellor has been sort of repaired but it is still an ugly thing with a 'Comic-Relief' spinner! I'm wondering if I shouldnt just say enough is enough, finish off the assembly, brush paint it and try to have some fun with the pilots!

All the best

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Tue 15 Jan 2008 03:54 am Post subject:

Our 'Heroic Pilot' (& a very surprised mechanic) take to the skies in defence of King & Country.....

Much, filing, filling, sculpting and painting still to be done on this pair!

All the best

Ratch · Posted: Tue 15 Jan 2008 08:04 am Post subject:

The crew seem to be having fun

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Loll · Posted: Tue 15 Jan 2008 16:07 pm Post subject:

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Tue 15 Jan 2008 16:50 pm Post subject:

It's gotta be said, Prieser they ain't.....However they do fill up the void in the cockpit and add a bit of fun to the model which was kind of the point.

All the best

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Fri 18 Jan 2008 21:15 pm Post subject:

The Tigermoth has upset me, somehow it has become tilted out of true and the right side is about 1-2mm higher than the left.....It doesn't sound a lot but you can see it!

What is doubly annoying is that it was OK before I glued it.....I checked! It looks as though the left side stuts have warped or moved slightly.

For what it's worth & all the best

Ratch · Posted: Fri 18 Jan 2008 22:33 pm Post subject:

Now that's annoying

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and was Jerusalem, builded here
The new No. 2
Airfix Club 500287
IPMS 10983