last update on   [page 7]

and metal undercarriage legs (quite welcome for such a large model)...

I am not going into all details, many sources on the internet have discussed the basics on this kit, but will merely go into construction and changes I made to this kit.

Overall, the parts are OK. But, is everything OK.
No, some corrections can be made for the modelers as desired. But basically, the overall shape is OK. 
What can be done to improve this kit?

Inside the parts, set some epoxy putty such as Milliput to get some strength and material inside. Later on, you can sand to shape and correct the nose with some filler. (to be done later...)

-2- the canopy is not entirely correct:
(a) the front windshield framing is too wide and the shield itself should be also a little bit less wide.
(b) the cross section of the aft canopy is to "straight", it should be more curved and also at the bottom edge where it meets the fuselage there should be a kink (in cross section).
(c) when looking from the side, where the canopy meets the forward windshield, the canopy should drop more and be more "rounded" and "lower". Also, the forward rear canopy  edge/vertical frame itself should be slightly more tilted forward a couple of degrees when looking sideways.
(d) the aft canopy framing and location of the edge is slightly set too high, the transparent area being somewhat larger

So, the overall canopy needs some more curvature and should thus be also a bit more rounded.

From a thick carton board box, a shape with a hole was made on top of the box to take the canopy master / core
The box was taped airtight. It made a hole to take a hoist of the vacuum cleaner
Some transparent sheet was attached over the hole with nails and scotch tape.

Set everything in place and near the oven
In the oven, set at 200 degrees Celsius, first a sheet of transparent sheet was made warm for about 10 minutes (you will need some experimenting here).
Quickly pull out the box with the sheet and push in the master/core through the hole
Quickly attach vacuum cleaner hose to rounded hole in box and turn cleaner on. 
Wait
The plastic will cool off controlled with air being pulled out. The plastic will be a bit more clear through this way.

So let us begin.

Trim the plastic canopy shape to size; this will need carefully check with the drawings and the basic kit parts of the forward fuselage and the cockpit area.

I also bought some excellent ASTRA DECALS #3204  for a grey A-10, these can be seen here ....

...and also the Trumpeter decals supplied...

to next A-10 page 2.......
 

    too blunt nose...

filled nose
 

rough shape

 box and set near oven

molded canopy
 
 
 
 
 
 

Internet:

www.a-10.org

Update December 31, 2005