hi i'm pretty new to modelling and this is my first posting, anyway i need some help. I'm building the Tristar Panzer IV D but the bottom hull plate is badly warped resulting in the hull sides not fitting properly anybody got any idea how i can straighten it out/unwarp it. many thanks in anticipation.

What you can do is to put some thick plastic rod between the side walls. They should force back the warped bottom resulting in a straight hull. If you put 4 of these rods it should be fine.

Grzt,

Hilbert

Since the Tristar kit comes as flat panels that assemble into a "box", I'd start by adding one end panel (using clamps if necessary to get a tight joint) and then each side (again with clamps). Assuming you can get all the parts tightened up the sides & ends will effectively force the floor to be straight. While the glue dries you want to clamp the whole lot to a flat surface. Then, if the whole "box" still wants to twist I'd consider adding braces cut from the plastic trees.

Another technique if you have time on your hands is to clamp the offending floor to a flat piece of wood and leave it in a closed-up car for a week or so of sunny days. The sun warms the car, and this helps soften the plastic enough to "unwarp". Don't even think of using the oven, or a hairdryer because they will heat the plastic too quickly to melting point, ruining the part!

Hope this makes sense!

Tom

I left a Bell UH 1 1/48 in the back window of my car when I moved house. figured it wouldnt get crushed there, only for a couple of days, it be fine.
two days later the main rotor blade had more waves than a tropical beach.
also had plastic a stereo casing warp, the previous time I moved after only a few hours.( it was a small car)

this only works in summer though, wouldnt bother during winter months
- if it bends a stereo...Itll unbend allsorts best clamp it to something straight to stop it warping worse

You could dunk it in hot (boiling) water and unwarp it. I have done this several times with resin parts. It takes a few dunks and careful pressure but it worked fine. It should work with plastic as well.

Cheers!
Stefan

All these are great suggestions but personally I never think it is acceptable to have to build a kit with a part that is that badly warped.

In the UK certainly (and I imagine elsewhere) you have a right as a consumer to receive a product that is fit for purpose.

Personally I would contact the retailler you bought it from and ask for a free replacement sprue