Reproducing wing fences

[The Rat]

Not sure what others do, but here is what I do.

One of the problems with models is that parts that are rather thin on the real article are too thin to accurately reproduce with current mold technology. The modeler is thus left with something that would be way overscale on the real thing. here is how I rectified that problem with the wing fences on the Heller 1/72nd scale Saab Lansen. Photo 1 is the original piece; quite thick and inaccurate.



I used white glue to attach it to a piece of thin plastic sheet, as shown in photo 2, and when it was left to dry overnight I then carefully cut and filed around it, leaving the thin sheet the same shape.



After soaking in water overnight, photo 3 shows what's left; a nice thin wing fence that will look much better than the kit part.

[PR19_Kit]

Way back when Fotocut used to make a selection of different shaped fences in etched brass. Most were in1/144 for various airliners and I still have a set for a BAC 1-11 and a VC10. It was just a case of sawing a slot in the LE and superglueing the fence in place. 

They weren't cheap but they made life a whole lot easier, and I wish someone would put them back in production.

[Gondor]

When I built BAC 1-11 a few years ago I cut a slot in the wing where the fence was to go then incerted a roughly cut peice of sheet plastic which was "fine tuned" when firmly in place. See here, roughly half way down the page https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=37077.45

Gondor

[kitnut617]

How about using the aluminum from a pop can --- which can be cut with scissors or a hobby knife.

[zenrat]

My thinnest sheet styrene is about the same thickness as pop can.  I've used the same technique as Gondor (above).
If one wants Russian style full chord wing fences one can saw completely through the upper wing half  and through the front of the lower with confidence in the knowledge that a sheet styrene fence glued in with styrene cement will be almost as strong as it was before.  Almost.