While building my P-51 Mk III RAF (Tamiya 1/48) I decided to open canopy option but Tamiya does not give this option So the choice is: cut the canopy - and I did it. Now the problem is to build the canopy rails. I already thinned the canopy so it fits on top of the fuselage but, there is a need for rails otherwise I think there is too deep step on the wall.
this is the only one good picture ( I’ve got) showing the canopy rails:
Does anyone can help me ? coser picture, XSection ? Anything what can help me visualize the detail of canopy/fuselage ?
THe current view of the canopy is shown below:
BTW- I just realized the flaps (Tamiya 1/48) have to be corrected if used in DOWN position, ouch, good I did not assemble them yet
Here are a couple shots of one undergoing restoration. The canopy is in the closed position but you can see how the rails are made with the small rollers.
Here it is. I did not glued them in place but it is a general idea what those rails will look like. I also plan to add rails behind a canpoy as shown on the pictures above.
I made the rails and model is ready for some weathering. I just applied decals and painted gloss coat over all.
THis shows rail with canopy placed where it belongs. No canopy is glued yet.
And here is the whole model just after applying glossy coat.
Unfortunetely I did not hear about preshading and postshading and only trick I knew at the time was salt paint chipping (what I applied and also a dry brushing - what I used in wheel bays and in the cockpit.
More pictures will follow as soon as I finish weathering with wash. This should put some life to those panel lines I hope.
Greg
ps. this is my first model painted with an airbrush. My first model (Spitfire (Tamiya 1.48) I painted with a can and after I got my Aztek brush, I decided to strip the paint from this spit and now it waits for a lighter coat (dark earth) - for postshading
Your comments are welcomed - I need to learn quickly because my stash just grew a bit
the tamiya 1/48 model is probobly the best engineered model around. I was lucky to grab it as mysecond Tamiya model (after a Spit Mk Ia [:)] ) mostly because I liked a lot the cover picture :), than I read more about the pilot flying FB387 and decided that this is my pick. Few people helped me a lot here. Antoni first gave me right directions with markings and provided a lot of guidance. Many others followed. Having this in mind I am very greatful for such nice welcome here at this forum.
One glitch I found is a lack of open canopy option and what is related - no canopy rails are provided. I did not see any available from Aires or others, and I made them from scratch. The above pictures show them pretty well.
Another issue - flaps - if you decided to show them in “down” position, than you have to cover some void near the fuselage - what supposed to compensate plate thickness not possible to avoid with plastick of this scale.
Also it was a bit though to work with a canopy provided by Tamiya - I cut it off and worked really hard to utilize it but it was still to thick and can not be used on open position properluy, I got a vacuum formed canopies from squadron.com - got two and end up with four canopies what means I will have to buikd three more Mustangs III with malcolm canopies
I made a lot of mistakes during this build - once again - it was my second model - and proboly if it would not be Tamiya - it would be a dissaster
Tamiya guide is a bit off as far as the markings go - I would not follow the camo guidelines from this kit - its off a lot. Also I did not use the Tamiya decals- I got Techmod decals. At those are really great. First time I used them and I love them. I used Tamiya decals on my Spit and the Techmod is much better. I may post more comments about this kit and the plane I modell as soon as it will be done.
I have quite few things to do in order to finalize this project :). One will be creating some sort of wheels/rollers on the rails - I plan to use a injection needle what I will cut and sharpen to create some kind of round edge - and use it to scratch perfect circles on the rails. This should make a reaal impression of a rail as it was on a real plane
But first I will have to do some weathering and see how it will end up. I hope you guys will keep the same opinion when I show the whole job when done I was very close to strip paint out of this one just like my first SPit but … I have to finish something can not jump back to do “a better” job
a little update. Here it is: P-51 RAF III with 315 Sqdrn RAF (Polish) SN FB387 after sludge wash applied. Few details and this bird willl … go on the shelf. This is the most annoying moment of building this model - so much time spent, learning about the plane, new tricks (its my second model build- first to be finished) and now its time to go … to rest. I hate even thinking of this moment. I rather keep building it … maybe this is a good idea for a perfect model - build it than rebuild it … until its perfect or a total scrap [:)]
OK, Here it is latest - few more details … trying todelay this moment to say - its DONE …
So the choice is: cut the canopy - and I did it. Now the problem is to build the canopy rails. I already thinned the canopy so it fits on top of the fuselage but, there is a need for rails 
