Yak-19 MaksArt kit

[Isaac]

Here are all 3 Yaks on their gear



Yak 19 ( yellow 24 ),
Yak 25 ( red 15 ),
Yak 30 ( yellow 42 )


All 3 need vacuformed canopies next.

Isaac

[John Wagenseil]

Originally Posted by Isaac

I make sure that all of my hotel builds are relatively small ( even in 1/33 scale ) . So they all fit in a shoe box size plastic container. So if I fly, they can easily fit in my hand luggage. Isaac

How do you get your scissors and hobby blades and handles through airport luggage inspection and avoid having your glue confiscated? That has always kept me from trying to bring hobby material with me on a trip.

[Isaac]

Originally Posted by John Wagenseil

How do you get your scissors and hobby blades and handles through airport luggage inspection and avoid having your glue confiscated? That has always kept me from trying to bring hobby material with me on a trip.

This was a road trip, so this was no concern.


However, if I travels for more than a week or two, I purchase the blades at a local art store.


Isaac

[ricleite]

The sweep came from behind

The cockpit apertures look pretty similar. The same canopy shape may well fit the whole trio!

[Isaac]

Originally Posted by ricleite

The sweep came from behind

The cockpit apertures look pretty similar. The same canopy shape may well fit the whole trio!

Ricardo


I think you are right. All the canopies appear the same. However, I will check to make sure since the Yak-19 is a bit narrower, but maybe I can still use the same canopy blank.



Isaac

[Isaac]

There is a need to make a good vacuformed canopy for all 3 Yak models I am building. As it happens they are all very similar to each other , but the Yak 19 fuselage is a bit narrower than the Yak 25 or the 30. However, with care, the same casting mold ( or in British English call it a mould ) can be used for all 3.

First step is to build the paper canopy and see how it looks. The glue tabs are on the outside since the inner surface is used to make the mold. The paper will be sacrificed later on, so a clean job is not needed.


Now dry fit it on the:
Yak-19


Yak-25



Yak-30

all look OK


Now complete the paper tub with the canopy inverted and re enforce the sides.


Pour the Plaster of Paris ( or whatever material you have to use )


I add small wooden base to the surface of the wet plaster. It serves as a pedestal to raise the mold a bit off the surface of the vacuform machine surface for better forming around the edges.



Here is the finished plaster mold.


The red color is another automotive putty I use to make small repairs and smooth out the surfaces as needed.



Lots of work, but necessary


Isaac

[Rata]

Art in progress.

[southwestforests]

Originally Posted by Isaac

The red color is another automotive putty I use to make small repairs and smooth out the surfaces as needed.

Red putty for the Red Air Force, that works!
It is probably the most expensive way to get the stuff but I get toothpaste tube sized tubes of Bondo's version of same, spot and glazing putty, to use on model trains and model rockets.
The three airframes definitely do seem to be a design progression.

[Isaac]

Originally Posted by southwestforests

.....

It is probably the most expensive way to get the stuff but I get toothpaste tube sized tubes of Bondo's version of same, spot and glazing putty, to use on model trains and model rockets.
........

I have had this tube of putty for probably 15 years or more. Since it is used only for minor touch ups, it will last me another 20 years if it does not harden ( and it is still as smooth as day one ). The only thing is that I do not use it to cast a whole blank since it does not flow. But for small stuff it is great. And it sands smooth.


Isaac

[Isaac]

Here is a quick tutorial in vacuforming a clear canopy:

Have the blank ready and place on the vacuform machine top to decide how to place it. For small blank it makes no difference


Tools:
- oven gloves ( to protect your hands while removing the frame from the hot oven.


- a shop vac or a vacuum cleaner with good suction


- two bricks to place in the oven. These are platforms for the frame while in the oven.



Canopy material:
- I use clear PETG plastic sheets of 0.010" or 0.015" inches thick.


This is best used for small to medium size canopies. You can go to 0.020" thick sheets for larger canopies.

- depending on your vacuform frame, you need to cut the sheet to match the frame.



Process:
- Heat the oven to 350 deg F ( or approx 180 deg C )

- place the pre cut plastic sheet/ frame on the bricks in the oven and close the door.


- put on the oven gloves

-wait 30 seconds

- turn on the vacuum

- remove the hot frame from oven quickly

- place flat against the vacuform machine and canopy blank and hold the frame in place ( do not touch the hot plastic, let the vacuum work for you ).



Canopy is now ready for framing


I made 3 canopies for each of my Yak 19, 25 and 30 models.


Isaac