Lancaster clear plastic

[Guest]

Hello

Can I please have some advice. I'm at the stage on my 1/72 Lanacaster where I have finished the fuselage. I have not added the undercarriage and have masked off the bomb bay and the undercarriage housings (it will be an undercarriage down version). I'm at the stage where I could now prime and paint but I'm unsure about all the canopies and gun turrets.

I've not added these. Should I add them all, paint them and then mask them all before the main paint?

Or should I paint it all then add the glass?

Thanks

[stona]

I usually mask and paint clear parts in the interior colour before I attach them to the model. I then carry out all the painting and varnishing of the model with the parts in place. I do this to avoid the clear parts looking "stuck on" later.

I know a lot of people don't do it this way.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

Aidan I find that it is better, in general terms, to add the canopies etc to their solid plastic parts. Then when not fitting well filler can be used to make good the defects.

After experiments (& mess ups) I am now doing this. Painting the canopy frames before fitting & hand painting. Then fitting the canopy & making good. Then masking the canopy for the rest of the painting work.

When I built the Lancaster I left off the turrets until the end. Does mean, if I remember correctly, modifying the turret fixing as they are designed to be fitted with the construction of the fuselage. Always find it better to defer if possible fitting the bits & pieces as this makes construction so much easier.

There is of course Aidan no definitive way here. Matter of assessing as you go.

Laurie

[Guest]

For my two Spitfires (1/72 and 1/48) I attached the masked canopy before painting the model. For my 1/72 Lancaster (3/4 way to being finished) I have masked the canopy and turrets but will paint them separately as I colour-paint the model, then attach them.

Why the difference: I don't know—just wanted to experience the difference. It's probably a matter of preference.

There might be a reason for attaching them after painting the model. If attached and painted with the model, the canopy will have up to 5 coats: primer, two camo coats, gloss varnish, matt varnish, which, being a big thickness of continuous paint film over the glazing bars and the masks, might pull off the bars when the masks are peeled off. Painting off the model would allow fewer coats. (However, I had no problem with my two Spits.)

[Ian M]

Normally I would fix the canopy and then paint. However, if its a cock-pit open build I only fix the parts that are fixed ..... Erm.... on a Spitfire that would be the front wind screen and the rear part behind the seat. You get the picture.

One thing to consider: its a lot easier to stick a canopy in place before you paint, than it is to mask the cockpit off to stop paint getting in...

Ian M

[Guest]

by the way which brand is this lanc? Tamiya Revell or Airfix?

[Guest]

by the way which brand is this lanc? Tamiya Revell or Airfix?

It's the Airfix 1/72 BOB version

[Guest]

Thanks for the replies. I'm tempted to prepare all the glasswork, then fit it all, then totally mask out all of the glasswear before I spray the fuselage and wings etc.

[Guest]

Thanks for the replies. I'm tempted to prepare all the glasswork, then fit it all, then totally mask out all of the glasswear before I spray the fuselage and wings etc.

Come to think of it (I've had a look) I actually fixed the Lanc's cockpit before painting the model. I left the two turrets off and will paint and fix them after the model is painted. The places where the turrets go are essentially right-angles notches in the fuselage and therefore very easy to mask (Ian M's comment about a cockpit).

Mine is the Ravell Dambusters, 1/72.