Okay, just in case you are not up to speed with this yet I am converting a 1/48 Hasegawa J7W1 Shinden to a J7W2 turbojet and scribing the entire model in the process. So far all the scribe work has been completed and I am now making the first steps for the conversion. The first issue to be handled is the side air intakes - they need to be enlarged. To accomplish this first I had to measure the original intake and carve a new master out of balsa wood for the enlarged intake and secured it in a large lump of clay …
Next I take a good thick piece of styrene stock sheet and held it over a candle to soften it up. I tried doing this over a light bulb but it was taking forever - the candle worked great. Once it was soft and sagging I pulled it down over the master.
It cooled almost immediately and I was able to lift it off the master without any difficulty.
The new intake was cut from the sheet and trimmed close with a razor knife. Then I sanded it down until I had reached the slight demarcation line made by the lower edge of the master.
The kit intake pieces were secured to the fuselage with some Blue Tac and the new intake was placed overtop it so I could mark the cut-off area for the front end. This was cut and the edges were cleaned up with some fine sandpaper.
Now I have to cut off the kit intake and place the new intake in position. I wanted to share this because I have never done this stuff before and it worked so well I had to show someone who would appreciate the accomplishment - thanks for letting me take up some of your time with this.
[:D]
Swanny, I’ve never tried the plunge molding technique but looks as though you “pulled it off” well (pun intended [:)]). I do have an ancient Mattel vac-form machine that I use once in a while, but I don’t think it could handle a part this large. Very interesting, thanks for the post.
Leave it to 'ol Swanny. You never cease to amaze me buddy.
he is god
Nice work swanny, and I am still trying to get my sanding good again…
Nice work there, swanny. You are innovative!
Dan