Being a newbie to braille scale AFVs (only one under my belt so far) I've noticed that most of the kits I purchase have the hatches molded closed. I would think if one attempts to cut them out then the most likely result would be severe damage to the hatch and the opening. Does anyone have any tips or tricks for such surgery? Do most modellers scratchbuild replacements? I'm trying to avoid aftermarket replacements.

Many Thanks!

...Kevin

To answer your question, yes and no. If it ain't that much complicated, we try to scratch the part

else

Use a very fine needle and "scribe" the perimeter of hatches until it opens. Sometimes you need to thin down the plastic from the inside to get the job done faster.

Hi All

I some time scratchbuild hatchs using the following method.

Mix up a ball of Miliput leave this to set for half an hour. take the kit part you want to copy and lightly give it a coat of oil. Next Push the miliput onto the part and leave to set over night.

Once dry gently prise of the the miliput mould. Turn over and you now have a reversed mould of the part you want to cast.

Next very gently abnd carefully heat up a piece of plastic sprue until it goes soft, then very quickly squash this into the miliput mould, leave for a few seconds, remove from the mould.

You now have acopy of the kit detail, you just have to trim and sand the back of the detail to obtain the part. With practice you can obtain very good results.

You can also use plastic stock from evergreen for this process.

This is a good way to replace details like the under sized Italeri M4A1 Sherman Fuel caps with the larger ones from the Revell kit.

I hope this helps.

Cheers

Ian