tomprobert

Howdy, partners!
 
I’ve put aside other jobs on the Stirling for the time being as I was really keen to get the new canopy to fit. I hate dealing with transparencies and cockpits in general so felt it would be good, psychologically, to get this part done, and then hopefully it’ll just be a drop fit towards the end of the build. 
 
As you saw in the previous post, the kit canopy was too big and incorrectly shaped. When I cut the fuselage ages ago, I used the kit transparency as a guide, not realising at the time how ‘out’ it was. As a result, I’ve had to build up the fuselage around the cockpit to match the new canopy - plastic card and Milliput white has done the job without issue, and it now drops in perfectly!
 
A reminder of what I had in the kit:
 

And after a few hours tinkering:
 
 
 
 
 

That’ll do very nicely…
 
Until next time,
Tom

Howdy, partners!
 
I’ve put aside other jobs on the Stirling for the time being as I was really keen to get the new canopy to fit. I hate dealing with transparencies and cockpits in general so felt it would be good, psychologically, to get this part done, and then hopefully it’ll just be a drop fit towards the end of the build. 
 
As you saw in the previous post, the kit canopy was too big and incorrectly shaped. When I cut the fuselage ages ago, I used the kit transparency as a guide, not realising at the time how ‘out’ it was. As a result, I’ve had to build up the fuselage around the cockpit to match the new canopy - plastic card and Milliput white has done the job without issue, and it now drops in perfectly!
 
A reminder of what I had in the kit:
 

And after a few hours tinkering:
 
 
 
 
 

That’ll do very nicely…
 
Until next time,
Tom

Howdy, partners!
 
I’ve put aside other jobs on the Stirling for the time being as I was really keen to get the new canopy to fit. I hate dealing with transparencies and cockpits in general so felt it would be good, psychologically, to get this part done, and then hopefully it’ll just be a drop fit towards the end of the build. 
 
As you saw in the previous post, the kit canopy was too big and incorrectly shaped. When I cut the fuselage ages ago, I used the kit transparency as a guide, not realising at the time how ‘out’ it was. As a result, I’ve had to build up the fuselage around the cockpit to match the new canopy - plastic card and Milliput white has done the job without issue, and it now drops in perfectly!
 
A reminder of what I had in the kit:
 

And after a few hours tinkering:
 
 
 
 
 

That’ll do very nicely…
 
Until next time,
Tom

Vacs are a breeze compared to a total scratch build. Unless you’re Peter of course! It’s always a huge bonus to have the basic shell of a model and then the building of the detail parts is relatively easy - especially when you take into the account the huge advances in 3D design and printing. 
 
Tigger does a 1/32 Halifax…
 
Both the Do-17 and Beaufort are available in 1/32 scale from Tigger - I have them both! Combat do/did an Anson. 

Howdy, partners!
 
I’ve put aside other jobs on the Stirling for the time being as I was really keen to get the new canopy to fit. I hate dealing with transparencies and cockpits in general so felt it would be good, psychologically, to get this part done, and then hopefully it’ll just be a drop fit towards the end of the build. 
 
As you saw in the previous post, the kit canopy was too big and incorrectly shaped. When I cut the fuselage ages ago, I used the kit transparency as a guide, not realising at the time how ‘out’ it was. As a result, I’ve had to build up the fuselage around the cockpit to match the new canopy - plastic card and Milliput white has done the job without issue, and it now drops in perfectly!
 
A reminder of what I had in the kit:
 

And after a few hours tinkering:
 
 
 
 
 

That’ll do very nicely…
 
Until next time,
Tom

Howdy, partners!
 
I’ve put aside other jobs on the Stirling for the time being as I was really keen to get the new canopy to fit. I hate dealing with transparencies and cockpits in general so felt it would be good, psychologically, to get this part done, and then hopefully it’ll just be a drop fit towards the end of the build. 
 
As you saw in the previous post, the kit canopy was too big and incorrectly shaped. When I cut the fuselage ages ago, I used the kit transparency as a guide, not realising at the time how ‘out’ it was. As a result, I’ve had to build up the fuselage around the cockpit to match the new canopy - plastic card and Milliput white has done the job without issue, and it now drops in perfectly!
 
A reminder of what I had in the kit:
 

And after a few hours tinkering:
 
 
 
 
 

That’ll do very nicely…
 
Until next time,
Tom

Howdy, partners!
 
I’ve put aside other jobs on the Stirling for the time being as I was really keen to get the new canopy to fit. I hate dealing with transparencies and cockpits in general so felt it would be good, psychologically, to get this part done, and then hopefully it’ll just be a drop fit towards the end of the build. 
 
As you saw in the previous post, the kit canopy was too big and incorrectly shaped. When I cut the fuselage ages ago, I used the kit transparency as a guide, not realising at the time how ‘out’ it was. As a result, I’ve had to build up the fuselage around the cockpit to match the new canopy - plastic card and Milliput white has done the job without issue, and it now drops in perfectly!
 
A reminder of what I had in the kit:
 

And after a few hours tinkering:
 
 
 
 
 

That’ll do very nicely…
 
Until next time,
Tom

More transparency work of late, this time huge steps have been taken with the canopy. 
 
The kit part was always suspect in my opinion - it just looked too big, windscreen shape was totally off and the sides too vertical:
 

Something like this would really bug me, so I was thinking about making my own by either doing a master and vacforming it or alternatively doing the framing, much like the bomb aimer’s section, and dropping in the clear pieces using acetate.

Then I had an idea… why not get in touch with one of the greatest model makers of our time, Peter at Airscale?
 
And low and behold…
 
 
 
 
 
And a comparison with the kit part:
 

Here we now have a beautifully printed cockpit framing that will sit on top of a new vac canopy. As the pictures show I originally cut the fuselage to fit the kit part so some work is going to be needed here to get the fit right, but I’m delighted with Peter’s handy work!
 
I’m currently working in finishing off the gear bays so the cockpit will have to wait for a while, but for once I can’t wait to get started on the cockpit and it’s interior - which is usually a job I hate!
 
More when there’s more…
Tom

Vacs are a breeze compared to a total scratch build. Unless you’re Peter of course! It’s always a huge bonus to have the basic shell of a model and then the building of the detail parts is relatively easy - especially when you take into the account the huge advances in 3D design and printing. 
 
Tigger does a 1/32 Halifax…
 
Both the Do-17 and Beaufort are available in 1/32 scale from Tigger - I have them both! Combat do/did an Anson. 

I’m after one of those too - such a gorgeous aircraft and big in 1/32… same span as a B-17! Combat kits are rough to say the least, but at least it would give you something to work with. 

Howdy, partners!
 
I’ve put aside other jobs on the Stirling for the time being as I was really keen to get the new canopy to fit. I hate dealing with transparencies and cockpits in general so felt it would be good, psychologically, to get this part done, and then hopefully it’ll just be a drop fit towards the end of the build. 
 
As you saw in the previous post, the kit canopy was too big and incorrectly shaped. When I cut the fuselage ages ago, I used the kit transparency as a guide, not realising at the time how ‘out’ it was. As a result, I’ve had to build up the fuselage around the cockpit to match the new canopy - plastic card and Milliput white has done the job without issue, and it now drops in perfectly!
 
A reminder of what I had in the kit:
 

And after a few hours tinkering:
 
 
 
 
 

That’ll do very nicely…
 
Until next time,
Tom

Howdy, partners!
 
I’ve put aside other jobs on the Stirling for the time being as I was really keen to get the new canopy to fit. I hate dealing with transparencies and cockpits in general so felt it would be good, psychologically, to get this part done, and then hopefully it’ll just be a drop fit towards the end of the build. 
 
As you saw in the previous post, the kit canopy was too big and incorrectly shaped. When I cut the fuselage ages ago, I used the kit transparency as a guide, not realising at the time how ‘out’ it was. As a result, I’ve had to build up the fuselage around the cockpit to match the new canopy - plastic card and Milliput white has done the job without issue, and it now drops in perfectly!
 
A reminder of what I had in the kit:
 

And after a few hours tinkering:
 
 
 
 
 

That’ll do very nicely…
 
Until next time,
Tom

Howdy, partners!
 
I’ve put aside other jobs on the Stirling for the time being as I was really keen to get the new canopy to fit. I hate dealing with transparencies and cockpits in general so felt it would be good, psychologically, to get this part done, and then hopefully it’ll just be a drop fit towards the end of the build. 
 
As you saw in the previous post, the kit canopy was too big and incorrectly shaped. When I cut the fuselage ages ago, I used the kit transparency as a guide, not realising at the time how ‘out’ it was. As a result, I’ve had to build up the fuselage around the cockpit to match the new canopy - plastic card and Milliput white has done the job without issue, and it now drops in perfectly!
 
A reminder of what I had in the kit:
 

And after a few hours tinkering:
 
 
 
 
 

That’ll do very nicely…
 
Until next time,
Tom

Wow!

That is a HUGE difference of the original vac part! I can see why you went that route!!!!
Peter @airscale is an absolute legend!

Thanks, Tom. Can't see it under either wing in any photo though, so I'm a bit stumped. I'll bung it on anyway, though, as I can't really use it for anything else!
 
Kev
 
 

I've been trying to get hold of the Combat He 177 for some time now, and have pretty much given up. I hear it's not all that great anyway, but can't imagine myself scratch-building one! Even the 3D print guys seem to be shying away from it.
 
Kev

Looking great, Kev!
 
The registration goes under the PORT wing, towards the tip. 

Thanks Tom,
 
Though I tend not to be interested in jets very much, I am interested in all things DeHavilland so the Sea Vixen appeals. I’ve not attempted a vacform (yet) but your builds give me the insight that they are not as intimidating as they first appear. At the moment I am mulling over the idea of doing a Ju 52 as it appears to be the only way of getting one in 1/32 (at least for now). 
 
Kind regards,
Paul

I have Tigger’s Tigercat are can recommend it. 

Quite a few of the aircraft mentioned are available from Tigger or the Combat range (although the latter is no longer producing) vacs. I have a F-111, Catalina and Sea Vixen in 1/32 and all are an excellent basis for a good model - at least the basic vac shapes a good starting point and negate the need for a total scratch build. 

Quite a few of the aircraft mentioned are available from Tigger or the Combat range (although the latter is no longer producing) vacs. I have a F-111, Catalina and Sea Vixen in 1/32 and all are an excellent basis for a good model - at least the basic vac shapes a good starting point and negate the need for a total scratch build. 

Quite a few of the aircraft mentioned are available from Tigger or the Combat range (although the latter is no longer producing) vacs. I have a F-111, Catalina and Sea Vixen in 1/32 and all are an excellent basis for a good model - at least the basic vac shapes a good starting point and negate the need for a total scratch build. 

Wow! She’s coming on a treat!

That’s stunning - the weathering is perfect for a high-viz bird and whole scene you’ve created is wonderful!
 
Tom