Canopy framework

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

I was looking at pics of a finished 1/48 He-111 and reading about the techniques used, and I began to wonder - with a canopy like the HE-111 has, wouldn’t you feel the need to paint the inside as well as the outside of the metal framework? I would think you’d be able to look through one side to the inside of the other side, and see that on the inside it is clear plastic instead of ‘metal’. I know it’s probably nitpicking, and for most aircraft it would never be an issue - but with full-nose glass like the Heinkel, or the B-29, with large-scale kits it would be noticeable. Has anyone ever considered a method of compensating for this drawback of molded clear plastic canopies? Aside from being really skilled at freehand painting, I would imagine the best method would be thin strips of tape.

The only kit I can remember seeing that molded the canopy frame separate from the clear part was the Monogram 1/32 P-51D. For the He-111 canopy, or any with numerous separate panels, it would be cost-prohibitive to use this method I suppose.

2

When you paint the clear plastic, the paint color shows from the inside as well. If you paint the canopy first with the interior color & then follow with the top color, it will appear as though the inner frames are painted as well, and you only need to mask the outer. If you pose a canopy open, such as on a Bf-109 or P-51B, you may want to actually mask & paint the inner frames for ultimate realism.

Regards, Rick

3

Admittedly it’s been a while for me, but I remember the thickness of the canopy plastic making it obvious that the paint is on the outside and not the inside surface of the plastic. For the larger scales, where it would be more obvious, it would be easier to mask anyway I suppose. The 2-color approach is something I never tried though - it’s a good idea.

Thanks for the tip!