forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

WW1 Aircraft Modeling => WW1 Aircraft Information/Questions => Topic started by: WD on March 15, 2025, 11:47:25 PM

Title: Clear Center Section Question
Post by: WD on March 15, 2025, 11:47:25 PM
Forumites,
               I've got a question about the upper wing center section on the Nie.17. I'm working on the 1/72nd Eduard kit, and a decal is provided to represent this. I'd like to overspray it with some kind of clear coat to seal it.

Now here's the thing:

- These celluloid center sections aren't glass, and while you can obviously see through them, I'm sure there was some kind of distortion, fogginess, etc after having been exposed to the elements, etc. My first car was a used Triumph TR6, and while the top was relatively new, the rear celluloid window was never what you and I would call clear. It was good enough to see to your rear as far as vehicles following you, backing up, etc., but never something you'd want to look through all the time like a windshield. How do I replicate that with an overcoat? This isn't a situation where I've got a spare decal to use to experiment with.

Ideas?

Suggestions?

Warren
Title: Re: Clear Center Section Question
Post by: DaddyO on March 16, 2025, 01:23:28 AM
Hi Warren
When I built mine I didn't use the decal but went for clear 'Scotch' tape (the one that is equivalent to 'sellotape') It worked really well and after several years there's no sign of edges lifting so I'd recommend it as a solution. It would be easy to spray with varnish tinted with a touch of yellow to get the effect you're after.

Dug out a couple of photo's to see the test I did and the finished model (I didn't tint it) ;)
I cut it roughly to size then stuck it in position and trimmed to get a nice neat edge.

Cheers
Paul

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54388268371_da0daa537b_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qS76k2)Test tape (https://flic.kr/p/2qS76k2) by Paul S (https://www.flickr.com/photos/202177392@N05/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54388499338_c23ac06a74_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qS8gZd)Camo Nieuport finished (https://flic.kr/p/2qS8gZd) by Paul S (https://www.flickr.com/photos/202177392@N05/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54388641335_0cea83fc20_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2qS91cr)Camo Nieuport based (https://flic.kr/p/2qS91cr) by Paul S (https://www.flickr.com/photos/202177392@N05/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Clear Center Section Question
Post by: WD on March 17, 2025, 02:21:01 AM
Thanks Paul!  That's some lovely work there.

Warren
Title: Re: Clear Center Section Question
Post by: KiwiZac on March 17, 2025, 11:14:26 AM
This is an excellent question (which I'm not equipped to answer!) and, given how attractive this feature is to modellers, I'm curious to see what solutions other members come up with. Beautiful work on that one Paul!