1:32 Yak-3 vacuformed clear canopy

The real subject

The Yakovlev Yak-3 is a Soviet single-seat fighter of the Second World War, small and light, with a slender rear fuselage. The cabin has a sliding cover and fixed front and rear glazing. In the large 1:32 scale the whole interior is visible under it, so the cleanness and the thickness of the clear part decide the impression a finished model makes.

What the set contains

The set is a cover vacuum-formed from thin clear film. A thin wall is especially valuable in a large scale: a thick injection-molded cover draws attention to itself through the thickness of the frame and the refraction of light at the edges, while film looks like real glazing. The part is pliable and scratches easily, so take it by the edges and lay it down on a soft surface.

Building and painting tips

Cut the part out with a margin and sand it down to the outline on abrasive paper laid on a flat board. Work with short strokes and keep trying the fit dry; material can be taken off at any time but not added. If you want an open cabin, separate the sliding section with a sharp blade and sand the cut edge; it is with an open cabin that the thinness of the film shows most. Glue it with a product for clear parts, because super glue will fog the surface. Mask the frames before spraying the paint.

Who it is for

The set is for builders of a Yak-3 model in the large scale who want an open cabin or simply more convincing glazing, and for anyone whose original cover has been scratched. The package holds the clear part only, unless stated otherwise; the model, the paints, the masks and the glue are not included.