Making a landing light

[The Rat]

The Heller Amiot 143 doesn't provide any clear pieces for the leading edge lights, so I decided to make them myself.

First, a round file carves out the light housing.



Second, drill a depression in a piece of clear sprue, and then cut it off.



Three, fill it with a Molotow chrome pen.



Four, glue it to the wing with the 'light' inside, looking out.



Five, protect the surrounding surface with tape, and start filing the crap out of it. The tape won't protect it perfectly, but it will save enough to make the final clean-up easier.



Step six, polish the clear piece with fine sandpaper.



Finally, a drop of Future floor polish smooths it out. It will probably get a bit scratched up when I clean up around it, but it can be reapplied.

[TheChronicOne]

Oh nice!!  I'll have to remember this. I've crammed clear sprue chunks in there a time or two but never thought to do the rest. Looks so much better than mine!

[Old Wombat]

Cool idea!

[Dizzyfugu]

Excellent execution. 

[PR19_Kit]

A veritable masterclass in 'how to do it'. Nice one Ratty. 

[dogsbody]

I did something like that with the wingtip lights on my Airfix 1/72 Hawker Hurricane. After cutting out the moulded-in light with a razor saw, I took an old piece of clear sprue that was larger than the cutout. I filed the end flat and square and also filed one side flat. On the flat end, I drilled a small hole and put a drop the Tamiya Clear Red and Green in the appropriate holes. I next painted the flattened sides and ends with Tamiya Aluminum. When dry, they were superglued into position. Once firmly set, I went at them with the Dremel set a low speed. When the shape was close, I switched to sanding sticks of increasing finer grit. A couple coats of Future were applied and you see the result.








Chris

[TheChronicOne]

Glorious. Fittin' to make me some lights. 

[The Rat]

I did something like that with the wingtip lights on my Airfix 1/72 Hawker Hurricane.

Chris

Looks champion! I did that decades ago on a model, wish I could remember which one. Except instead of drilling I just made a small notch at the right angle and filled that with paint. At the time I didn't have tiny drills. And I don't recall it looking as good as yours!

[PR19_Kit]

They look VERY good Chris. 

[NARSES2]

They look VERY good Chris. 

They do indeed, as does Ratty's landing light