So for my most recent big project which was the 1:48 Hasegawa F-18F, the loadout i wanted to use required 10 GBU-32s
I got 2 of the Brassin sets but eduard has you use photoetch for the metal housing around the bomb. Where i need help is finding a way to make the photoetch conform to the curvature of the bomb.
Has anyone built these before or done something similar that can help me out and give me some pointers?
Thanks
Try annealing the PE over a candle or any open flame to make it softer and easier to bend around the curve of the bomb. Just remember to let it cool before touching or bending it around the bomb don’t want to melt the resin.
I always struggle toi roll PE into a nice circle. Doing what Clint suggests does help a lot. I then just roll it back and forth and it will curve itself. I use a micro roller but any small rod shapped object will do.
Hello!
It’s really important to do it - heat the brass until it glows (that happens really fast) and then let it cool down on itself (so don’t blow on it!). Doesn’t take too much time neither, those are mostly very light parts, anyhow.
That simple trick drastically changes the material - it feels like a wholly different material after that. For me the annealing of a PE part has allowed me to correctly roll a 1/35 cooling jacket for a 1/35 Browning Ma Deuce.
Good luck with your bombs and have a nice day
Paweł
Pawel, brass is just the opposite of other metals, it will get softer if you quench it, usually done with cold water. Strange but true. Google annealing brass and you will get a lot of information from reloaders of ammunition.
John - nice tidbit of info to tuck away in the brain. Thanks.
For something like that I usually look around the house or garage for something round of about the correct size, to use to bend around. Possibly a Marker, candle, wife’s lipstick, mens chapstick, etc. I agree “annealing” the metal with open flame will help as well. Thanks, Rudy