I ordered & recieved a 1/48 scale Crystal Clear Canopy kit for Monogram’s B-26 Marauder from Squadron. However my friendly postal worker has yet again crushed the nose canopy[:@]. This the second kit I have ordered and arrived the same way. I don’t know if it’s a packaging/shipping issue or just a disgruntled postman. Any help as to how I can eliminate the resultant wrinkling & dimplimg will be greatly appreciated.
Hello David,
Interestingly enough, I have the same problem, but I crushed the nose myself drilling out the gun port. I used a Q-Tip ( cotton bud to you Brits ) and gently re-formed it from the inside. The creases can still be slightly seen but I was able to hide most under the painted masking tape I used for the window framing. See J J’s B-26 in the forums for the pics.
Awesome work on your project!! I recently started scale modelling again after a 30+ year hiatus. What inspired me to startup again was my father in-law’s ill fated crash aboard a B-26 while at Laughlin Field, Tx. He survived, but was medically discharged due to the extent of his injuries. Since his was a stateside training model B-26A, I’ve had to do quite a few mods to the original Monogram model.
BTW thanks for the tip to smoothing out the wrinkles.
Now a few pointers for your build.
You’ll need to use the nose canopy that came with the kit as it has the stiffener ribs on the top portion of the nose canopy which is correct for this version of the B-26 (B-26B). B-26As had the “sandwich” plexiglass halves with no stiffeners.
An excellent source for all things B-26 are the following online:
https://www.scalemates.com/search-solr.php?fkSECTION[]=Walkarounds&q=Martin+B-26+Marauder
http://aviationshoppe.com/martin-b26-documents-manuals-a-20.html
Print resources are:
David Doyle’s “B-26 Marauder Walk Around”
William Wolf’s “Martin B-26 Marauder: The Ultimate Look: From Drawing Board To Widow Maker Vindicated”
Ths last book is considered the “Bible” when it comes to Marauder info.
What I find particularly interesting is how there were so many variances on interior & wheel well paint schemes between manufacturing plants, years & versions.
Thanks again for the tip & keep up the excellent work!!
Actually use hot boiling water. Make yourself some tea or coffee, pour yourself some water into a cup, let it sit for a minute, then dump it and add some more. Immerse your part in the water, and let it get hot, and then push and massage the wrinkles out. To drill holes in a canopy, always work from the inside to keep the shape from being distorted.
I’ll have to try that. I’ll post results. Thanks!
Another trick. Any time you are working on a vac, fill it solidly with modeling clay. It gets greasy, but you can clean it later.
Thanks for the replies. I used a combination of the techniques mentioned. I first filled the cone with modelling clay, dipped it in the boiling water, and worked it over with a cotton swab from the out side. I then removed the clay after it all cooled down & once again dipped in the water and then worked the nose cone from the inside. Worked like a champ!!!
Thanks again to all!!