1:72 F-15E

Clear vacuum-formed F-15E canopy (1:72)

This is a vacuum-formed (vacuform) clear replacement for the cockpit canopy for plastic models of the two-seat F-15E strike aircraft in 1:72 scale. It is not an aircraft kit but a separate clear accessory: a thin formed film that replaces the thicker canopy from an ordinary kit. The set usually contains several pieces, so you have a spare as well as the option of showing the cockpit closed or open.

The real subject

The F-15E Strike Eagle is an American two-seat multirole strike aircraft derived from the F-15 fighter. The crew consists of a pilot and a weapon systems officer, and a pair of powerful engines gives the aircraft long range and a heavy payload. It serves for precision strikes against ground targets as well as for air combat and has been in active service since the late 1980s.

Use and fitting

• Cut the part off the backing film with a sharp knife or scissors and sand the edges gently to the exact shape.
• Glue it with canopy glue or with white PVA glue, which will not fog the transparent material.
• The thin frames make it possible to model an open cockpit realistically and show the interior.
• Mask the frames before spraying; the thin wall of the molding looks more faithful in scale than the thick canopy from the kit.

Who it is for

For more advanced modelers who want to replace the thick production canopy with a clear part that gives a better view of the interior. Cutting out vacuum-formed film takes a little practice and patience.

The accessory is supplied as a clear vacuum-formed molding, unpainted and without glue. The base model and paints are not included in the package.