How to make buck to plunge mould DH Hornet canopy, please?

[DavidWomby]

I've read my books and checked multiple forums (fora?) and websites but would appreciate opinions. I've never had to make a mould before but I have plunge formed a canopy using the kit canopy as the buck.

The Frog DH Hornet canopy is totally the wrong shape. The Airfix Hunter canopy is much closer to what I want but a bit too short. What's the best way to make a buck to plunge mould a Hornet canopy?

add Milliput to extend the Hunter canopy and then use that (I've rad that kit canopies used this way can develop cracks and transfer those to the moulded material)

make a resin copy of the Hunter canopy - extend it and then use that

try carving a complete canopy from balsa, seal it with CA and use that

I don't mind trying all the above but I'd like to start with what is most likely to be successful.

Thanks

David

[fredk]

My way to do this is a bit long and may not suit you.
I use polymer clay [aka Sculpey or FIMO] Hereafter just called FIMO.
1) use original canopy and push into a block of Fimo
2) cook female mould, [without original canopy in it]
3) press fresh FIMO into female mould and either leave in place or better remove
4) cook new male solid canopy
5) cooked solid male canopy; carve away, add bits or what ever it takes to makes into wanted shape
If you have done a good job on 5 then you can use it to crash/plunge/vac mould a new canopy.
or you can
7) push your new shaped canopy into more FIMO to make a female mould then
do steps 2, 3 and 4 again.
If you make a mess up at stage 5 you have a mould to make a new basic canopy from.

I never use the original canopy no matter how bad it is.
Polymerclay will cope with the temperatures required for hot plastic to form over it, quite often canopies will not and will distort.

A harder way which I have used when I don't have a canopy as a starter is to put FIMO on the fuselage and carve it to shape, remove, cook then go through the moulding/altering steps.

You could alter my way, by adding to your Hunter canopy, making a female mould in FIMO from it, then a solid male canopy, do a bit of finishing off on it and use that for the moulding.

[DavidWomby]

Thank you. I have some FIMO somewhere. I'll probably give your method a try.

David

[T-21]

Migrant wrote a very good article on plunge moulding sometime ago. I will try and find the said article.

[DavidWomby]

Thanks. I'd appreciate it.

David