I am getting ready to paint my Ki 57s Topseys. One my Planet and two by AV (AV is all resin, Planet a combination of plastic and resin). Well, I started cutting out the vac-u-form canopy for the AV and realized that the sleek looking fuselage is a little to sleek. In fact, the fuselage from the cockpit to tail needs to be raised about 1/8th of an inch to make it look right. I had to cut down the vac-u-form canopy a great deal to make it fit. I think AV got the dimensions from the old Revell Sally which has the same problem (at least in the canopy).
I am considering cutting the fuselage down behind the cockpit (approx 1/8 of an inch) and along the side (below the windows) and then back up to the top. Then slip in a 1/8" shim of plastic to raise the roof, then blend the raised section into the tail with putty (miliput, squadron green, spit and chicken wire). All the kits provide 2 canopies so I have a few to extras.
Pros, I will have a better looking kit and if I try it on one AV kit I can decide on doing it on the other after seeing the results .
Cons, It may take another month to complete and I could screw it up.
The planet kit has it's own problems. It used the MPM Sally plastic wings straight from their bomber kit. The problem is that 1. The engines nacelles are to big 2. They retain the fully retractable landing gear doors while the transport had landing gear like the C-47. I fixed 2 but will have to live with 1.
Like the surgeon said, "When in doubt, cut it out". Your thoughts?
Shane
I'd try the cut and shim since it is off a large amount with the assumption the general look would not be destroyed. There is a fellow on ARC who has done many shims to adjust the look of his Flanker to make it more accurate. It looks great, but be prepared for much work.
...tony