1:144 He-162 Vacu canopy (Brengun kit)

A vacuum-formed He 162 canopy in 1:144 scale

A vacuum-formed canopy is a clear replacement part that takes the place of the canopy supplied in a plastic kit. It is made by drawing thin clear film over a form, so it has a markedly smaller wall thickness and cleaner optics than an injected plastic part. In 1:144 scale, where the whole cockpit is only a few millimeters long, it is exactly the thickness of the glazing that decides how convincing the result is. The set is cut for the Brengun kit and is the work of the Czech maker Brengun. It is not an aircraft model or a complete kit.

The real subject

The Heinkel He 162 was a single-seat jet fighter with the engine mounted above the fuselage and the cockpit set in the forward part of the fuselage. Its canopy is small and strongly curved, so every superfluous tenth of a millimeter of material shows on it. A thin vacuum-formed part also makes it possible to build the cockpit open, which is practically impossible with a thick-walled plastic part.

Tips for working it

Cut the part out of the film with a generous margin and only then sand it down gradually with fine abrasive paper laid flat, until the seating edge follows the outline of the fuselage exactly. Test the fit dry and often, as material you have taken off does not come back. The frames of the glazing are masked with narrow adhesive tape. It is glued with white glue for clear parts or with a drop of thin varnish; super glue would fog the material. Before painting, a brief polish and a coat of gloss varnish help.

Who the set is for

• Modelers who want thinner, cleaner glazing than the kit offers
• Builders of the small 1:144 scale, where even slight differences stand out
• Those planning an open cockpit with a visible interior
• A replacement for a damaged or crushed original clear part

The accessory set is supplied unassembled and unpainted. The kit, glue and paints are not included in the package.