Plaster of Paris canopy mould.

[Al Knights]

Chaps, any of you have any experience in making a plaster mould from any existing canopy in order to make a new canopy. Advice needed.

[Steven S]

I'm interested in doing this also especialy after watching this video of hand forming a canopy over a wooden plug:

https://youtu.be/XFapCdlEpbo

 

I think that I would make a wooden frame to clamp the plastic sheet over the heat gun though

 

Edited By Steven Shaw on 07/10/2018 21:44:17

[Callsign Tarnish]

Yes, a few times. What you want is Herculite rather than regular plaster of paris.

Edited By Callsign Tarnish on 07/10/2018 22:28:51

[onetenor]

Butter the inside of the canopy and hold in a cradle of your devising or an egg box . Fill with plaster (stiff to fill above level soft for base fill) Above level only after fill has set .This is to ensure enough depth of draw . Yes create a clamp come draw plate but ensure enough clearance underneath or the canopy will bottom out and spoil. Draw over depth and trim to size roughly while on the cooled mould. Plastic cake boxes will yield suitable material. Above all practice,practice practice. Good luck. PS Pinterest and FB should yield videos and info. Also Uncle Google as here.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?ei=2Hq6W83ZNYrIgAblnYuwBg&q=making+model+aircraft+canopies&oq=canopy+moulding&gs_l=psy-ab.1.4.0i71k1l8.0.0.0.25636.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1c..64.psy-ab..0.0.0....0.F7xtsbrq1Vg

[leccyflyer]

Yes, have done it a few times quite successfuly, the last one was for my Beaufighter, using the canopy from my HVP Beaufighter - turned out quite nice and was robust enough to pull three canopies without breaking.

[leccyflyer]

This used a little vacformer that I put together from a hinged picture frame.