Hi, I’m currently building a 1:72 Twin Otter, and whilst sanding have managed to push out the pilots side window, doh. I’ve retrieved it from inside the fuselage, but am stumped how to get it back in - the edge is chamfered, so it is designed to fit from inside the fuselage.
Any tips on how to get it back without splitting the fuselage halves? Tips on masking the little side Windows without pushing them in as well would also be gratefully received (they are stuck in with PVA).
Thanks!
Any advice?
there is a small suction tool with various small sized suction cups.you push a button on side to release part being held.
Ah, the bane of airliner modeling. Not an uncommon experience. Not an ideal solution, what I do is try to build up the missing window with window cement, like MicroScale Kristal Kleer. If the window is not too big this will work, though it will look different than the other windows.
If that does not work, here is a harder method, but it may work. File down the edges of the window a bit with a needle file so it fits into the hole from outside. Then, put window cement around the edges of the hole in the fuselage. Now put a piece of masking tape over the window and trim it larger than the window, by at least 1/8 to as much as quarter of an inch around each edge. Slowly insert the window into the fuselage. The tape should hold it flush with the outside of the fuselage if you don’t press too hard (press on the tape hanging over, not on the window area itself). Then let it set for a good 24 hours and remove the tape. You may need to clean up a little, but it shouldn’t take too much. However, be careful- it will be a very weak bond.
BTW, maybe you should also ask in the airliner and civil aircraft forum, the next one down, since it is such a common problem on airliners.
Might be able to stick a piece of tape to it and wiggle it back in on an angle, reglue the edge of the opening, pull it lightly in place and leave it with that side down til it dries.
Thanks for the replies guys! I’ll give them a go, currently trying to wangle it back in with the window attached to blu tack and a cocktail stick and angling it in (with little success I might add…)
Well I have carried out an experiment! I wiggled the window back in by attaching blu tack to it and holding it in place with tweezers, having pre glued the frame with PVA. Fingers crossed it works.
The he experiment is that I have used PVA as masking for all the windows apart from the front screen, the ‘logic’ being that any that seeps in will strengthen the existing bond and the surplus can be peeled off (in theory).
i fully expect this to go wrong, but I’m returning to modelling (stopped age 12 and I’m now 44), and you don’t get anywhere without making some mistakes! 
This might be useful next time.
