1/32 Macchi C.202 Folgore Gun Bay Covers
Replacement access covers for the fuselage-mounted Breda 12.7mm machine guns. Each panel is rendered separately, with open louvers, separate access hatches and a finely modeled cockpit air scoop. The supporting structure is included as a separate part.
The panels come in four variations:
Very Early - a single fuel filler hatch on the starboard access panel
Early - a single fuel filler hatch on the port access panel
Mid - cockpit air scoop and two louvers added to the port scoop, four louvers on the starboard panel
Late - two additional hatches at the front of each access panel
Check your references before ordering. (All the marking options for the 2023 tool Italeri kit are for late model Folgores.)
Important instructions for removing the parts from their support rafts
We have tried hard to design the parts to be easy to remove from their protective support rafts, but these parts are fragile and can be easily damaged if care is not taken when separating them. Study the illustrations to understand where the supports end and the part begins. Use good quality, sharp sprue cutters. In general, start by cutting the support as close as possible to the part before “chopping down the tree.” Not doing so risks forcing the tree up into the part which could damage it.
Framework: Start by cutting the supports sprues close to part along the sides and at the top. When all the connections are severed, “chop down the trees.” Next, cut away the protective side cages. Carefully saw through the serrated skirt where the part meets the raft with a fine razor saw. Clean up with a sanding board.
Panels: In this case it is easier to separate the panels along with their support trees from the raft first. Cut away the cage sides and saw through the skirts, along with the bottom of the support trees. Once free, you can methodically cut away the support branches
Hatches: After you have removed the panels from the raft along with the cage sides, you can remove the hatches (if so equipped). Start by snipping the cone shaped support behind the hatch. Next, using a sharp #11 hobby knife, gently score the base of the hatch, below the hinge, where it meets the raft. Score about three times. Finally take your tweezers and position them so they are acting at the base of the hinge where it meets the raft, and gently rock the hatch along the hinge until it snaps off cleanly.
