What did I get myself into?

Spino · June 01, 2025, 11:06:25 AM

It turns out that the AIM-152 can't be carried in the Convair 201's fuselage troughs if there is a centerline tank fitted, because the wings in the mid-section of the AAAM won't clear the tank on launch, so the tank would have to be jettisoned in order to fire the missiles! I guess it will have to be the AIM-260s if I want anything better than late-model AMRAAMs.

Spino · June 02, 2025, 05:47:09 PM

Well, I really underestimated just how big a 1:32 A-10 canopy is $:-\$

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A 1:48 scale A-10 canopy would probably have been better, but I'm open to suggestions.

frank2056 · June 02, 2025, 07:45:05 PM

Try smash molding a clearcanopy with some packaging material. Print a copy of your canopy (maybe slightly smaller to account for the thickness of the plastic) and use that as your master. You may have to put putty on it and sand it down to cover the filament layers. It may take a couple of tries, but you'll get a clear canopy.

Spino · Reply #18 - Re: What did I get myself into?

Quote from: frank2056 on June 02, 2025, 07:45:05 PMTry smash molding a clearcanopy with some packaging material. Print a copy of your canopy (maybe slightly smaller to account for the thickness of the plastic) and use that as your master. You may have to put putty on it and sand it down to cover the filament layers. It may take a couple of tries, but you'll get a clear canopy.

That's actually a really good idea! I am very much a hoarder when it comes to clear plastic, so I'm sure I have something that will work. I'm printing the mold now for it. I also am in the process of making a vacuform box that I can connect a shop vacuum to, but I'm not sure if it'll work if I use a 3D printed piece as my mold. It might melt the PETG or PLA!

scautomoton · Reply #19 - Re: What did I get myself into?

I was making a vac former, and then I found a kit on the bay for about £40. It's how I make all my canopies now.

Spino · Reply #20 - Re: What did I get myself into?

Quote from: scautomoton on Yesterday at 12:22:34 PMI was making a vac former, and then I found a kit on the bay for about £40. It's how I make all my canopies now.

I'll look into that. As much 3D printing as I do, it just might make sense to just get one like that.

frank2056 · Reply #21 - Re: What did I get myself into?

Quote from: Spino on Yesterday at 11:46:52 AMThat's actually a really good idea! I am very much a hoarder when it comes to clear plastic, so I'm sure I have something that will work. I'm printing the mold now for it. I also am in the process of making a vacuform box that I can connect a shop vacuum to, but I'm not sure if it'll work if I use a 3D printed piece as my mold. It might melt the PETG or PLA!

If it's a solid master, it should stay cool before it melts or deforms. I use a dental vaucuform machine. They're cheap and easy to use. Mine came with a bag of small bearings to use in the base, to hold the baster in place.

Spino · Reply #22 - Re: What did I get myself into?

Seems like I'll be investing in one of these things too at some point, unless I can get my vacuum box to work.

frank2056 · Reply #23 - Re: What did I get myself into?

I started collecting parts to make one, then saw the cheap dental vacuforming machines everywhere. I thought the relatively small draw area was going to be a drawback, but I've never needed to form anything that used all of the space available. If it can fit in a 126mm x 126mm (about 5" x 5") you can form it.