On a tissue covered model it’s nice to have a canopy frame made
from tissue - it creates a continuous flow of color and texture from
model to canopy. The effect certainly adds a lot to scale realism,
and with the right materials it's not as painstaking a job as it looks.
Here’s Chris Parent's simple approach to making a great canopy
frame, like the one shown here on his T-6 Texan:
STEP ONE
For best effect you'll want the same finish on the canopy frame
as the fuselage has. If possible, apply the finish to all tissue
prior to covering the model. This is pretty easy to do if you're
chalking or dying the tissue. If you're using paint you might try
pre-shrinking the canopy tissue on a frame before spraying or brushing
the paint.
To create the finish on his T6 Texan Chris used gray chalk and a
light coat of Floquil silver paint (sprayed on). This was followed
up by spraying Krylon Acrylic #1301.
