Lucas C. Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 I’m just looking to vent (mostly) and get any ideas on what to do. I was nearing the end of a 1/72 HobbyBoss F-14A when I went to take the masking off the canopy and… proceeded to crack the damn thing down the middle. It’s a nice, 1.5 inch crack that goes from the front and halfway into the RIO’s portion of the canopy. Just my luck, the crack isn’t straight, but instead curves to the side toward the end, making it very visible on the starboard side. All the other problems and mistakes with the build I’ve been able to fix. This one seems like it’s game over. 🤬 I want to finish the kit, but I can’t think of a way of fixing this without getting a new canopy, and I’m not sure I want to display a bird with a cracked canopy. Any suggestions? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted January 19, 2022 Share Posted January 19, 2022 I feel your pain. Are you doing an open-cockpit display? Here's a 1/72 F-14 replacement canopy (for Hasegawa) that you can probably use. You might also try thermoforming one, if you don't mind using that canopy as a plug. Resulting one will be slightly bigger but should be ok for an open-cockpit build. Closed canopy is harder as you'll have to find an exact match. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lucas C. Posted January 21, 2022 Author Share Posted January 21, 2022 Thanks for the link, @crackerjazz! I am planning an open-canopy build, so this definitely helps! Shipping to the US is nuts for that eBay listing, but I'll see if I can find the canopy locally for a reasonable price. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted January 22, 2022 Share Posted January 22, 2022 (edited) No worries. Forgot to mention -- post up your need in the Buy and Sell section, also. I've gotten great help from there. Some guys monitor just that forum. Someone might have a throwaway Tomcat with a perfectly good canopy. Any brand is a good candidate at this point. Edited January 22, 2022 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lucas C. Posted January 22, 2022 Author Share Posted January 22, 2022 Great, idea, thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ElectroSoldier Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 On 1/18/2022 at 10:43 PM, Lucas C. said: I’m just looking to vent (mostly) and get any ideas on what to do. I was nearing the end of a 1/72 HobbyBoss F-14A when I went to take the masking off the canopy and… proceeded to crack the damn thing down the middle. It’s a nice, 1.5 inch crack that goes from the front and halfway into the RIO’s portion of the canopy. Just my luck, the crack isn’t straight, but instead curves to the side toward the end, making it very visible on the starboard side. All the other problems and mistakes with the build I’ve been able to fix. This one seems like it’s game over. 🤬 I want to finish the kit, but I can’t think of a way of fixing this without getting a new canopy, and I’m not sure I want to display a bird with a cracked canopy. Any suggestions? On something with such a curve Im not sure if this will help and in order to get to a position to be able to try it it might be cheaper and easier to buy the parts from Hobby boss. Water Clear Polyurethane Casting Resin - Easy Composites Quote Link to post Share on other sites
f5guy Posted April 9, 2022 Share Posted April 9, 2022 On 1/22/2022 at 6:55 AM, Lucas C. said: Great, idea, thanks! I've got a spare Hasegawa Tomcat canopy that you can have. Send me a message. Fred K. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vonjhn68 Posted April 12, 2022 Share Posted April 12, 2022 If the replacement canopy doesn't work out, you can always model your Tomcat as a convertible. This is a photo of a VF-213 bird flying over NAS Fallon back in the early 2000s. They were giving a familiarization ride to their battle group air warfare commander (CO of USS Anzio and non-aviator) and went inverted. When upside down, the back seater grabbed ahold of the lap ejection handle and subsequently got some fresh air. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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