Faraway

I’m building a 1/48 Tamiya Spitfire Mk1, and am at the stage of assembling the canopy. However I have a problem, I need to attach the armoured outer screen to the front of the canopy. If I use normal adhesive, I imagine the clear plastic will cloud, which obviously I don’t want. If anyone can give me any tips, I will be very grateful. Jon.

Seat belt finish is stunning, I’ll have to have a fresh look at the Spitfire I’m building.

I’m probably not the best person to ask, as it’s my first build like this. But, I found the fit of the cockpit parts a bit difficult (didn’t seem as accurate as Tamiya). The instructions were good, but with a few errors. You need to plan ahead and be prepared to drill small holes (0.3mm) for the rigging. You need to fit some wires well in advance of the build and apply decals as you build. I found that the cockpit was a long build, and then all the details disappeared, when the fuselage was assembled around it, so all the wires from joystick and pedals are never to be seen. Best advice i can offer is don’t rush and read the instructions at least three times. If I can be of more help, don’t hesitate to ask. Enjoy the build.

I am pleased with the prop, couldn’t believe that I got the finish first go, had to go away, or I’d have fiddled and spoilt it. I ‘risked all’ to put that decal on, TWICE.

First attempt at this scale, 1/32. I used Vallejo Aluminium Dope to paint it, which was ok but very delicate. And as for the 'Risque Tout' decal, that was the most delicate decal I have ever had to apply. I still don't know how I did it. Going to have a rest from Biplanes, and do a Spitfire next.

First Propeller I've ever painted, came out quite well, I thought.

It looks good. I remember struggling with faces on the figures I used to paint. You’ve made a good job of this one. What kit is it and what scale ?

Gary. Very good of you to add such nice comments. It is a great kit to build, the parts fit so well, that when I dry fitted the top of the boom to the bottom, I had a job to separate them. You hardly need any glue. And the inclusion of steel balls as nose weights is a brilliant idea. Jon

It's not exactly armoured, but it does have a gun. Very easy build, not over the top with hidden detail, I have to say I enjoyed building it. Enjoy. Jon.

That is excellent. Makes you just want to climb that ladder.

Sweet. Lovely job.

Very nice. Good to see a spitfire in an unusual livery. Gives me thought for when I start mine.

Tamiya 1/48 P38 Lightning. The seat belts and tyres (which showed a flat spot, as per real tyres) were from Eduard. The parts for the plane went together really well, so much so, when I dry fitted the wings upper and lower surfaces I struggled to get them apart again. Nice touch was the inclusion in the kit of three steel balls, to act as weights for the nose. Great kit, well worth getting.

1/48 Tamiya P38 Lightning Yes

That’s very kind of you. I was a bit disappointed with the cockpit, I spent hours painting and assembling it, dirtied it up with some weathering stuff. The instrument panel was really detailed. Then put it in the fuselage and put the canopy on and all the detail disappeared. Seems that a lot of our work on detail, disappears on assembly. But I guess it’s nice to know it’s there, and it is rewarding.

Thanks. A few flaws in the painting, it had a bloom on the last coat of Matt varnish. Not sure what the cause was, but I’ve managed to (sort of) get rid of it.

n. Not perfect, but my first attempt at airbrushing and building this scale. I've learnt a lot, but with lots more to learn.

As far as I can figure out, we can’t get Future/Klear in the UK. Or at least I can’t find it.

This stuff https://www.lakeland.co.uk/20286/Quick-Shine-Floor-Finish-800ml I’ve used it on an armoured car to stop the decals silvering and it worked well.

As you say, it doesn’t answer my question. But you have given me food for thought, in that, the canopy with the kit is of quite a high standard already. So maybe a polish will suffice. I might try the dip, mask and paint on a spare part and see what happens. Many thanks for the answer. Jon

First I apologise to admin if this in in the wrong place, but I’ve searched the forum and can find no where to post this question. I’m currently building the Tamiya P38 Lightning (most excellent kit by the way, almost doesn’t need glue). When I get to the canopy, I’m hoping to dip it in a Klear like liquid, to give it a better shine. Also of course I’m going to have to paint the frame work, that won’t be too difficult, as I have a sheet of masking stickers. But, if I mask the canopy then paint the frame, then remove the masking and dip, all my matt paint will go glossy. Not good. So, do you reckon I can dip before masking and painting ? Presumably, the ‘Klear’ will not interfere with the paint or masking material.

Do you think this will be ok to dip canopies in, to make them more like glass ?

Very many thanks for these links, looks like a Vee wire, for canopy to both fins.

Cheers mate.

I’ve been looking everywhere for pictures of the P38 aerial wire locations, but can’t find any. Does anyone know if it had any and if so where were they attached ?