1:144 F-106A Vacu Canopy (F-Toys kit)

A vacuum-formed F-106A canopy in 1:144 scale

This clear part from the Czech maker Brengun is made by vacuum-drawing thin film over a form and is cut for a model of the F-106A Delta Dart interceptor in 1:144 scale. It is an accessory to a kit you have already bought: you are buying one particular replacement part, not an airplane model.

What replacing the glazing brings

On delta aircraft the cockpit sits high and the canopy makes up a prominent part of the silhouette. That is exactly why the thick wall of a plastic part is most glaring there: the frames widen, the view clouds over and the interior beneath it practically disappears. Drawn film has a fraction of that thickness, is optically clean and makes the cockpit look airy even on a model only a few centimeters long. So it pays to add at least a seat and a suggestion of an instrument panel to the cockpit, as they will be visible under a thin canopy.

Cutting out, sanding, painting

First mark the outline with a marker, cut it out with sharp scissors leaving roughly a millimeter of margin and remove the excess by sanding: lay abrasive paper on a flat board and run the canopy over it in circles so that the seating edge levels evenly. Test the fit on the fuselage as you go. It is glued exclusively with a cement suitable for clear parts so that the surface does not fog. Use narrow strips of masking tape on the frames and spray the paint in thin coats, as a heavy coat would form a visible step on thin film. Fine scratches disappear after a dip in gloss varnish and slow drying in a vertical position.

Who the accessory is for

• Modelers building American jet aircraft in 1:144 scale
• Those who want a model with an open or a bright cockpit
• Builders who dislike thick plastic glazing
• More experienced modelers willing to sand the edge to fit

The accessory is supplied as formed clear film to be cut out, unpainted. Glue, masks and the base model are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.