Spectre711 Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 (edited) I'm looking for suggestions on how to mask off the anti-glare area ahead of the windscreen of an A-7. I'm working on a 1/72 scale one and could struggle with thin pieces of tape but figured there has to be an easier solution. Maybe someone has a trick I can use? I'm trying to accomplish what is on this aircraft. Edited February 4, 2017 by Spectre711 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Finn Posted February 5, 2017 Share Posted February 5, 2017 You could always do this one: Jari Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spectre711 Posted February 5, 2017 Author Share Posted February 5, 2017 (edited) I'm actually doing this one but the other photo has a better angle. Edited February 9, 2017 by Spectre711 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Finn Posted February 5, 2017 Share Posted February 5, 2017 Looks like the squadron had variations of anti-glare panels: Jari Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Janissary Posted February 5, 2017 Share Posted February 5, 2017 (edited) I think the key is to find a solid object that has roughly that contour. I used a spoon as a template to cut the mask for the front of an F-18 windshield. I say roughly because you can in fact cut a thin strip of the contour (you may see that on the Tamiya tape under the spoon). So the cut strip will have generally the right shape, but will still be malleable enough to get the correct end result. In your case, you may need to do this only for the front arc, as the two sides are straight. You may even use a circle template like the one in my photo. You just need to make sure the tangents of the circle matches the straight line so that you don't have a kink in the contour. At least, that's how I would do it. Edited February 5, 2017 by Janissary Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Superheat Posted February 5, 2017 Share Posted February 5, 2017 Spectre, The VA-86 anti-glare panel is different from the VA-153 panels. On the '76 cruise, the anti-glare panel extended down to almost the tip of the radome and came to a point, which you can almost see in the photo you posted. Although it is a thumbnail of a different , but contemporary, aircraft, this one shows it better. The bottom line is it will be much easier to mask than you thought. HTH, Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted February 5, 2017 Share Posted February 5, 2017 Oh how I wish someone did those markings in 1/48 scale. That would make a nice addition to my Bicentennial collection. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bill Staudt Posted February 5, 2017 Share Posted February 5, 2017 (edited) I would make a decal for that. Paint the windscreen black, and radome white, then cut a half circle or oval shape black decal for the front section. EDIT: Or a triangle shape based off Superheat's pic Edited February 5, 2017 by Bill Staudt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Beary Posted February 5, 2017 Share Posted February 5, 2017 13 hours ago, Janissary said: I think the key is to find a solid object that has roughly that contour. I used a spoon as a template to cut the mask for the front of an F-18 windshield. I say roughly because you can in fact cut a thin strip of the contour (you may see that on the Tamiya tape under the spoon). So the cut strip will have generally the right shape, but will still be malleable enough to get the correct end result. In your case, you may need to do this only for the front arc, as the two sides are straight. You may even use a circle template like the one in my photo. You just need to make sure the tangents of the circle matches the straight line so that you don't have a kink in the contour. At least, that's how I would do it. This!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete Posted February 5, 2017 Share Posted February 5, 2017 20 minutes ago, Bob Beary said: This!! Agreed!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Murph Posted February 5, 2017 Share Posted February 5, 2017 Outline the anti-glare panel with thin strips of black decals, which you can bend and curve appropriately, then fill in the remaining area with paint. That's generally how I do D-Day stripes and curved anti-glare panels, as it gives time to work the decals and make sure it's set the way you want. Regards, Murph Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spectre711 Posted February 6, 2017 Author Share Posted February 6, 2017 On 2/5/2017 at 0:48 AM, Janissary said: I think the key is to find a solid object that has roughly that contour. I used a spoon as a template to cut the mask for the front of an F-18 windshield. I say roughly because you can in fact cut a thin strip of the contour (you may see that on the Tamiya tape under the spoon). So the cut strip will have generally the right shape, but will still be malleable enough to get the correct end result. In your case, you may need to do this only for the front arc, as the two sides are straight. You may even use a circle template like the one in my photo. You just need to make sure the tangents of the circle matches the straight line so that you don't have a kink in the contour. At least, that's how I would do it. this looks like what I have to do but now I have to find a better shot to see if the pattern is what I think it is or what Tom posted. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spectre711 Posted February 6, 2017 Author Share Posted February 6, 2017 On 2/5/2017 at 1:28 AM, Superheat said: Spectre, The VA-86 anti-glare panel is different from the VA-153 panels. On the '76 cruise, the anti-glare panel extended down to almost the tip of the radome and came to a point, which you can almost see in the photo you posted. Although it is a thumbnail of a different , but contemporary, aircraft, this one shows it better. The bottom line is it will be much easier to mask than you thought. HTH, Tom Tom, do you think all of the aircraft of the unit had the same anti-glare at this point? Notice the NM was red on this one where the one I have decals for are black and is an A-7A. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Superheat Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Hi Spectre, I don't have photos of all the VA-153 aircraft on the 76 cruise, and you cannot see the anti-glare panel in many of the ones I do have, but where it is visible, all have it as in the photo I posted. But that seems to be moot, since it appears you are doing an A-7A from one of 153's first three A-7 cruises, and most of those have the round type as on the VA-86 aircraft you posted. That being the case, I think Janissary's method is probably your best bet. Cheers, Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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