My cracked FAB1 canopy is sure perplexing.
Rob's idea of Kitsugi is appealing, the uniqueness of the crack. I like it!
I consulted keen modeller Paul A and he agreed toothpaste might remove scratches. Teeth fixative powder too and complete with clear varnish. I did try toothpaste but I just couldn't get it to work. Maybe it was too smooth.
I've read on Richard's, a previous reader's resto effort, that T-Cut does the job too, on both body and dome.
Bill Ev had another useful tip: replace it entirely with one from from the Imai Amerang FAB1 model kit. Good call! Typical, I sold a loose Imai FAB1 last year ( a lockdown donation from Wotan), but if I recall it didn't have a dome, so I don't feel too bad!
Another way forward, if any at all, is the paper method. Simply cover the split with a parcel tape band, as it would have come packaged in its box back in '65!
Here's one, for sale, like that, courtesy of online dealer Modellers' Loft.
Here's my copy! The cracks gone!
Another more technical solution comes via a modeller I just discovered online today, Marc Brassé.
Marc's method is to create a whole new canopy from a plastic bottle. Yes! I can relate to that, as I've done it before myself, albeit on a smaller scale with my Matchbox Draguar.
Marc used a Reddy fritturollie bottle, which, with his obvious skill, gave this amazing result, completed with beautiful pink stripes.
Image: Marc Brassé
You can see more of Marc's fabulous work on his website:
https://www.brassee.com/scalemodeling.html
Attempting to emulate Marc I found some old water and pop bottles in the greenhouse and using the FAB1 canopy as a template, drew the shape and cut it out.
I repeated this four times but none of them fitted well enough to be deemed an ersatz. The bottle shape has to be spot-on I reckon, which is a feat in itself!
Anyways, here's my less than satisfactory efforts. I've realized I can't cut curved plastic for toffee!
I may just leave it up to Lady P!
Have you made your own domes readers?
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