Help for aviation newbee

[gbdolfans]

Hi everyone, I am wanting to do a few aircraft builds. Some props and some jets. 

One question I have is what is the best way to cover cockpits and pilots to spray the fuselage and wings without a lot of mess and cotton fluff?

Thanks a lot for any tips.

George

[shoopdog]

Hi George. I always crumble up small bits of paper towels and insert (gently)  them into any openings in the cockpit till it is completely filled. If I’m unsure of any problem areas I then will add small strips of Tamiya tape, just in case. I have yet to get any overspray into a cockpit.

I also do the same for open wheel wells and open bomb bays.

Edited July 23, 2024 by shoopdog

[mustang1989]

I've done just as Keith has mentioned with the bits of paper towels with the Tamiya tape. There's a fella that I know that uses Tamiya tape only cut into different shapes and sizes to accomplish this on his detailed out builds. He uses foam in his pits but the paper towel trick works just as well.

In example:

 

He'll leave things like the wing root gun bays open and paint the details in later.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 24, 2024 by mustang1989

[gbdolfans]

Thanks guys for the input.

 

[Madhatter]

they are some nice looking planes there Joe!

In regard to how not to get paint on the canopy/windows, you can also use liquid mask - which is very useful for curves or bubbles (as I discovered on my HE-111).

In general, most plane builders tend to do the cockpit up first, install the pilot (if applicable), then mask up and then glue the canopy to the body. This way, you'll get a uniform colour across the canopy and body.

Hope to see some of the fruits of your upcoming labor

[LDO]

The new Eduard P-51B kit has a foam plug for the landing gear wells. It’s like the foam used for ear plugs. It can be squeezed to fit in that small space, then it will expand to fit. You could cut ear plugs to fit small spaces like opening panels and of course landing gear wells. 

[mustang1989]

On 7/27/2024 at 3:19 AM, LDO said:

The new Eduard P-51B kit has a foam plug for the landing gear wells. It’s like the foam used for ear plugs. It can be squeezed to fit in that small space, then it will expand to fit. You could cut ear plugs to fit small spaces like opening panels and of course landing gear wells. 

 Wow that's pretty cool to have that in the kit. A great idea too Lee! 

[TNT]

Man some super sharp builds. Thanks for posting the tips. I have a A-10 and a Huey i would like to build but i want to clean the seams and now i know.