Has anyone scratch built replacement lids for zip boxes to show them open, ajar, bent, etc? I'm struggling with a good technique mostly because of the ribbing.

Hi;

I have built Zip Boxes with open lids, its time consuming and IMHO not worth the effort. Take A X-acto Blade #11 and Score repeatedly on A Angle until you cut all the way thru, also you can just cut away the top the best you can and then re-build the area that needs replacing.
On some of my T-72s; I just cut the Top Off and left the rest of the Box open, or I left the Lid open and showed it with heavy damage. On some I have discarded the Box altogether and depicted A open part of the Skirt.
The Zip Boxes as with the Fuel Panners were made of Aluminum and stamped sheet metal, & were prone too damage.
Also when the vehicle was set Ablaze they Melted away very fast.

CHEERS; MIKE.

Thanks Mike, I was wondering about cutting them off and was worried about butchering the kit with no recourse. I'll give it a go after some practice. First I'm going to replace the latches and straps with AM brass ones which will require semi butchering. Thanks for the help!

Bill

Hi Bill,
If you happen to be a FB user, check out this guys work
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152032284578944&set=a.10152029545068944.1073741833.598173943&type=3&theater

Sean

Sean, thanks that's fantastic work with tinfoil! Not to mention the rest of the great job he did. Thanks for passing this along. I just finished sanding off the straps and clasps on the meng t90, and 1/2 way through replacing with tetra AM clasps. Tedious but well worth it. i'll try this foil technique on a future t72 build.

Bill