(Originally posted in the General Modeling forum, where it got no response - figured maybe there was a better chance of an answer here)

Has any aftermarket company produced (in vacform or clear resin - the former seems more likely) a regular, clear canopy for the Italeri V-22. I know the most recent boxing of the kit includes clear parts that are actually, well, clear, but I've got the previous boxing - the one that was updated to be reasonably accurate airframe-wise at the time it was released, but that came with clear parts so heavily tinted they might as well be opaque. It's a kit I've got almost everything I need to build, but there's no way I'm going to touch it until I've got clear transparencies.

From what I've heard of Italeri's parts replacement service, it seems unlikely that's an avenue to follow, and buying a complete new kit for the clear parts seems excessive. Once upon a time I'd have expected Squadron to put out replacement parts, but they don't seem to have done any new sets in years, plus the numerous windows on the fuselage suggest it's a subject they wouldn't tackle even if they still did it.

Is there anything out there? It's not that the kit has a particularly great interior to display, but the clear parts are just so heavily tinted it frankly looks silly.

Squadron used to have a product called thermaform. It was clear plastic that was heated and pulled over a master. While i can't find a listing on the squadron web site I found it at Hobbytown USA and my local shop. HTH

Al,

Micro mark makes this Vivak Plastic for canopies. Maybe it will work?

http://www.micromark.com/vivak-plastic-11-inches-wide-x-14-inches-long-x-020-inch-thick-2-sheets,7732.html

You may also be able to find one here: http://pages.videotron.com/jmarcpe/summary.htm

Write to J-Marc.