Anyone have any suggestions on what kind of material to use to make my forms for canopy/windows?
I’m currently attempting to build a Revell 1/72 Sikorsky Skycrane to look like an Erickson Skycrane fire fighting helicopter. The pilot’s and co-pilot’s door windows are supposed to be bubbled out. I’ve built my vacuum-form box (from an article in Fine Sacale Modeler Magazine) and had made some forms by pressing a clay like substance into the inside fusalage half’s, free-hand formed the clay to approximate size and shape then let it dry. But this stuff I was using shrank and turned brittle so I didn’t try to form the canopy over them. Everything is on hold until I overcome this obstacle.
Sorry, I dont have answer to your question about vac-u-forms, but I am interested in doing a project like yours someday. What are you using for markings? What are you using for the external tank and snorkel?
You can also use the clear plastic that many items have glued to a cardstock backing, similar to batteries at the checkout or Hot Wheels packages. Look for ones that are flat on one side and pretty clear as well as fitting your vac machine.
That Squadron thermafoam looks interesting, I’m going to try some. I do have a big collection of various plastics from all sorts of packaging and in various thicknesses. My biggest problem is making the mold. It may be the scale I’m working in. Your suggestion of the Squadron product may be just the ticket though. The instructions on the Squadron web site makes it look easy so I’m going to try their stuff using the pencil/mold in vise with the old candle heating method Squadron shows.