Making model of the TBM -C my dad flew off the Intrepid in 43-44
Air Group 18
Kit is Hasegawa and using Aires detail kit
Want to leave canopy open to better see the interiior
How do it cut the part?
and what is the best method for painting the ribbing?
Think I have the exterior paint scheem correct - three color : white, light blue and dark blue
All and any suggestions appreciated.
tx leon
Leon,
First of all - WELCOME !
I hesitated to reply to this - But since nobody else is chiming in - I thought I would at least toss out something. I know the kit you are talking about. The finished model is sitting on my desk as I write this.
I think the main problem you will face is the removal of material as a result of the cut. I have never used a razor saw - but I have seen one in my local hobby shop. This would probably be the best way to make the cut while removing a minimum amount of material. But like I said - I’ve never used one.
Scribing through it with an exacto blade would be another way - but it would be difficult and the cut edge would need to be cleaned up - removing more material.
The last method I can think of is to get two canopies and trim one or two parts from one canopy and the other part(s) from the other canopy. With this method you could even use a thick hack saw blade - but the material that you cut out can be from the parts that you don’t use.
Hope that helps. Good luck,
Chris
Leon,
I forgot about the color part…
If you buy paints at a hobby shop there will probably be alot of blues - Dark to light and everywhere in between. For the Navy tri-color scheme the dark blue is refered to as Sea Blue or Dark Sea Blue, and the light blue is called Intermediate Blue, White is… White (go figure !)
And painting the ribbing…
I just do it free hand - but you can buy special masks or use various types of tape to mask off the areas you want to keep clear.
Chris
You might check Squadron’s 1/72 vacuformed canopies (I believe they have a TBF/TBM canopy). They take a little more work, are easier to cut and look far more realistic. There is a manufacturer (or used to be) named Falcon Models which produced sheets of vacuform canopies for 1/72 and 1/48 models. Each sheet carried up to a dozen type specific (ie US Fighters, US Bombers, German Fighters etc). Unfortunately, they no longer seem to be in business - You can still occassionally find them in hobby shops however. Usually cost 14 or 15 dollars. Might be able to find them on E-bay
The Razor saw is the best alternative for cutting the kit canopy. The Squadron vacuum form canopy would be a good alternative. They are actually made by the old Falcon Company.
Regards, Rick