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'Grace' type two-seat Spitfire in 1:32


Iain

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  • 2 weeks later...

Apologies for lack of updates - manic few weeks.

 

Currently fettling the rear canopy master so that resulting moulding will fit properly - in both opened and close positions - so not a lot to show.

 

Hopefully something worth seeing later this weekend.

 

Blue skies,

 

Iain

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After a lot more work I've pulled two new clear parts I'm happy with (new 'tunnel' section as well as blown rear canopy), that will hopefully fit - and importantly, fit together in the closed position.

 

But I'm shattered now - need to put it away for today - I'll try and post images next few days.

 

Iain

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OK - I said I'd been beavering away on the canopies again...

 

My client wanted to be able to open and close the canopies - closed to get the beautiful shapes in flight, open to be able to see the cockpit details.

 

This was always going to be tricky with vac canopies and I had several concerns:

 

  • Would the rear canopy moulding sit tight against the canopy rails - in both open and closed positions?
  • Would there be a good enough fit with the vacuum formed 'tunnel' section where they meet?

 

Well, after hours and hours of fiddling with patterns - I think we're there.

 

Excuse the sanding dust - images taken whilst dry fitting/sanding edges to fit. Oh - and this is a test dummy tunnel - longer than final part at the front.

 

Closed - note perfect alignment of rear canopy with canopy rails - and fit against tunnel (loosely placed - no gap when fitted):

 

48b427_2d3cdf38cc73447aa4cd638cb5aabf76~

 

Rear canopy open - again - perfect positioning on the canopy rails:

 

48b427_ebb59fcdd5cf4947a96f072224278d51~

 

And both canopies open:

 

48b427_974ea92de48e4c0193fe29d69f9a6adf~

 

I may trim the rear canopy down just a little more at the rear - but good progress I think...

 

Blue skies,

 

Iain

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Thanks all - lots of frayed nerves - but on final roll now (hopefully!)

 

Going to try bonding some fine stainless rod to the insides of the rear canopy to see if I can get it to actually locate in the canopy rails - and make it 'slideable' whilst 'locking' any vertical movement.

 

I'll need to be in absolutely the right mood to get this right - and not damage the moulding...

 

Iain

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18 minutes ago, Iain (32SIG) said:

Thanks all - lots of frayed nerves - but on final roll now (hopefully!)

 

Going to try bonding some fine stainless rod to the insides of the rear canopy to see if I can get it to actually locate in the canopy rails - and make it 'slideable' whilst 'locking' any vertical movement.

 

I'll need to be in absolutely the right mood to get this right - and not damage the moulding...

 

Iain

 

Good luck Iain, although I am sure you don't actually need luck. The canopy fit you have achieved so far is brilliant and I think the idea to add the stainless rod will just add that extra star quality to an already stellar build.

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If your canopy after the fitting of the rods is still a bit flexible, Dare I say you'll have to vac again in actual perspex?! I've done it, It's a lot more expensive and with the added benefit of being able to sand and polish.

Graham

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2 hours ago, GrahamF said:

If your canopy after the fitting of the rods is still a bit flexible, Dare I say you'll have to vac again in actual perspex?! I've done it, It's a lot more expensive and with the added benefit of being able to sand and polish.

Graham

 

Hi Graham,

 

Flexibility not a problem - just want to try and locate it more positively in the vertical plane.

 

Iain

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