Help needed

[Guest]

I have filled and sanded all the gaps on the F-104 I am doing but where the cockpit is the top half of the fuselage is blown (sticking out) I knew this when I dry fitted before sticking. The the cockpit tub is an after market piece and I had already rubbed down the side walls until they were nearly as thin as a fag paper . i did the same with the side walls of the fuselage but to a lesser extent as I didn't want to weaken it to much. Having filled and sanded I find I still have a bit of a bump that I know is going to show after painting. What I want to know is would you

A: fill again over and around it.

B: Use a harsher wet and dry to level it and hope you have left enough plastic in side to take it.

This may sound like a stupid Question.

[Guest]

Hi (sorry no Christian name )

Best if possible to have 2 or 3 photos to look at. It will be easier to give advice.

Laurie

[Guest]

erm yep that would help doh. I am on it

Terry

[Guest]

Sorry Laurie Here are the pictures. The thin dark line is where I am finding the ridge. My filling skills are not the best I am afraid

[ATTACH]69208.IPB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]69209.IPB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]69210.IPB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]69211.IPB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]69212.IPB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]69213.IPB[/ATTACH]

[Guest]

I have an idea that in my mind seems logical but before I go diving in would like to ask a bit of advice. If I took a sharp blade and with the sharp edge pointing down very carefully skimmed a bit off the problem bump would that do it. I realise this is going to leave a flat spot but if I filled that then rubbed it down to follow the contours of the fueselage would this work. I think it would but is there an alterantive Thanks

Terry

[Dave W]

If it was my model I would carefully sand the offending area to the correct shape.Then if I'd gone thru the plastic and left a hole I would fill,sand,rescribe lost panel lines.Id only do this if the bulge was below the level of the cockpit side consoles.So any filler wouldn't get into the cockpit.If its above the consoles I would try to separate the fuselage halves and replace the resin cockpit with the kit parts.Mind you,if I'd had a couple of beers I'd probably throw the model at the wall!.Ive not tried resin replacement cockpits myself and have read about problems like this.I know it sounds like being wise after the event,but I read reviews on accessories like this before buying them.Some fit better than others as you have found.

[Guest]

Thanks for your input Dave very much appreciated. I have gone down the lines of sanding it right down and thankfully not gone through. I had thought about stripping the model right down again but thought better of it. I am now hoping that when I put the proper under coat on none of the bumps/ledges will show. I say proper under coat as I usually give kits a light coat after sticking together so as to show any areas that were not visible at first glance.

I know I am either going to have to put a little filler between the fuselage and cockpit side walls or gently pull and stick them thus opening the cockpit up a little. Failing that I could do as yo say and see if it sticks better to the wall.

Thanks again

Terry

[Guest]

Yoicks. Terry that is a difficult one. Nice advice from Dave. I would say before priming you will have to do a lot of sanding, wet & dry & get it as smooth as possible. found where I am not sure how things are going to take brush & we the area which then shows up the areas needing more work.

Hope all turns out ok.

Laurie

[Guest]

Thanks to you both I think I am back on track now! Time will tell