Replacement Canopy

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Boy, I botched it big, big as in 1/32 big. I’m building the Trumpeter 1/32 scale TBM-3 Avenger and through a lot of skill and courage managed to “mangle” the canopy pieces. I’ve scratched, gouged, and over man handled the pieces and they look like garbage now. I have striped them, futured them, and tried to buff them, but to no avail. Does anyone know if you can order replacement parts from Trumpeter or where I can get some new ones? Any help would be much appreciated. ICIT

2

How did you scratch and gouge them?

3

I am an armor guy and so my friend challenged me to build this thing and while I was trying to mask the canopy with first bare metal foil and then Tamiya tape before I bought a mask set for it, I managed to “slip” and “gouge” them with a xacto knife trying to fit and lift them. Not to mention I now have enough future on them to stop a bullet.

ICIT

4

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but looks like no body makes replacement vac canopies for your model. I did a quick search hoping Falcon canopies had them but no such luck and couldn’t find anything from Squadron either in that scale.

Good luck dealing with Trumpeter. I had a similar issue and it was like talking to the wall. Hopefully you will have better luck than me.

5

Stevens International ( http://www.stevenshobby.com/ ) is Trumpeter’s US distributor. They are VERY good about replacing parts but do charge $5.00 for shipping and handling. Contact their customer service with your info ie the kit number, name of the kit, and the part number or numbers you need.

They will most likely send you the entire clear sprue.

BTW…I speak from personal experience with Stevens International and getting Trumpeter kit parts replaced…

6

Fallback is to paint it gloss black

7

Depending on how deep the scratches are you can sand it down and polish it out. Post a picture of it if you can.

8

I’ve found that removing cutting a toothpick off at an angle, like a chisel wedge, makes a handy tool for getting bare metal foil off canopies. Sand it with some fine grit real quick and have at it.

Groot

9

Thanks Ray, I will give that a shot and see what happens- I’m not optimistic that I can save it with polishing but if I have to I will try or vacuform my own.

ICIT