Filling large gaps

[Aidan.H]

Hi,

 

I have a fairly large gap in between the under carriage doors on a tamiya 1/72 mosquito. Can anyone give any advise on the best approach to filling it?
 

cheers

 

Aidan

[Farmer matt]

Shim of plasticard strip on each door would be my start.

 

Matt

[Pete in Lincs]

Like many Aircraft kits it's probably not meant to be built wheels up. (I presume that is your intention?)

Lightly glue the inboard doors into position. Just a dot or two of TET. Fill the gaps at the front with card. 

Glue card to the inside of each inner door to bridge the gap between it and the other door. Tape the other door into position.

Glue slivers of card to the edge of the inboard doors to fill the triangular gap. Sand all edges smooth.  Disassemble and clean up.

Hopefully all will be smooth and there will be a visible straight line between the doors. Job done.

[Aidan.H]

5 minutes ago, Pete in Lincs said:

Like many Aircraft kits it's probably not meant to be built wheels up. (I presume that is your intention?)

Lightly glue the inboard doors into position. Just a dot or two of TET. Fill the gaps at the front with card. 

Glue card to the inside of each inner door to bridge the gap between it and the other door. Tape the other door into position.

Glue slivers of card to the edge of the inboard doors to fill the triangular gap. Sand all edges smooth.  Disassemble and clean up.

Hopefully all will be smooth and there will be a visible straight line between the doors. Job done.

Thanks, I’ve already glued the doors in place so I’ll have to see if I can easily remove them and start the process again.  You’re right it’s the Tamiya 1/72 Mossie and isn’t intended to be built wheels up.  I think the mossie looks much nicer in flight so thought I’d make this an in flight display not sure it was such a good idea now 😂

[tomprobert]

Milliput is your friend. 
 

Put a good dollop over the doors, and smooth to shape with a wet finger. When dry, give a final sand/polish and then rescribe the door outlines. 

[Pete in Lincs]

2 hours ago, Aidan.H said:

I’ll have to see if I can easily remove them

Tamiya Extra thin will seep in and dissolve the old glue. It's how i ressurect gluebomb models from the bay. Good luck. 

[Hunker]

I'll show you how I redid an Airfix JU88 landing gear which had the same problems as yours. This was originally an A4 but I rebuilt it into an A1 in flight with gear up.

First the two halves of the forward and rear doors were joined underneath by card to strengthen them for the sanding to come.

Then they were glued into position and sprue goo was applied all around the joints and openings.

Next they were sanded and rescribed for where the doors join.