Maybe a cutaway?

Hi Stephen That might work. I'm not really a fan of cutaways (despite having built a few on commission), but I'd worry on something like the 0/400 in this scale that the bomb bay would still be semi-hidden and shaded between the wings, and that it might almost encourage accidents by tempting people to try too hard to peer inside. As you can tell, I'm definitely part of the "it's just nice to know it's in there" brigade. All the best Rowan

Heaven forbid that a fellow modeler would get eye strain looking for details.

Hi Stephen It's not the eyestrain I'd worry about - it'd be the broken model. I just don't think this is a very suitable subject for a cutaway (not in this scale, at least), because all the innards we're talking about are shielded by the wings. But by all means go ahead and have a hack if you get one of these beauties - it'd certainly make for a fascinating Blog. If you do, though, I can just imagine you letting anyone pick up the finished model to try to find the correct angle to peer into the cutaway bomb-bay. And if you were to keep people at a safe viewing distance, you might just as well leave the fuselage intact, because they wouldn't be able to see much of the interior detail. Like I say, I'd just be happy to know the detail's in there and I'd done the best job I could with it. I guess instances like this are among the bonuses of building with an online audience - viewers have seen what's gone inside and can revisit the pics if they want. You don't have to compromise the model by butchering it or risking a catastrophe if anyone mishandles it to try to see inside. Just tell them to check out your Aeroscale build for a clearer view than they'd ever get through a cutaway.. All the best Rowan

I understand your concerns. But- Every judging team ahould work in twos and threes. Someone is bound to have a pen light. And a cutaway 0/400 is a beautiful thing. At least this modeler thought so and so did the judges.

Hi Stephen You're right - it is a fantastic model - and a cutaway like that does work. In my defence, I wasn't imagining anything nearly as ambitious as opening up the whole nose and roof of the fuselage to let the light in and to allow the viewer to see inside. The talk of the interior began with mention of just the bomb-bay, so I was still only thinking of that, and what I was visualising with just a hole in one side at that position wouldn't really work with the wings in the way. When it comes to breakages, I hadn't even thought of show judges, who obviously (should - I have heard occasional horror stories) know how to treat models carefully. I always forget some modellers go in for competitions, because it's a side of our hobby that's never appealed to me. No, I was just thinking of family and friends, and the accidents I've come home to over the years. I envy anyone who hasn't ever been met with that ashen look and the conversation along the lines of "I was only showing it to (insert name as required) and, honestly, we hardly even touched it..." as you survey the wreckage of months' of work. All the best Rowan

Understood. Been there done that, even in a museum setting its a distinct possibility. Staffers make mistakes too. My biggest reason for acrylic display boxes.

Removing canvas is a great Idea for a WWI machine. As for the case... a word of caution... A good friend of mine and a champion in the Armor community at the National AMPS show this year in Connecticut USA, was asked to remove his case on a 1/35 diorama (about 5ft long with about seven vehicles (Tanks, trucks, Jeeps) at least a hundred figures, and Hedge rows house wrecks, at he wouldn't be judged. I am talking a winner here. Fearing for his art he refused and they did not judge the piece. (Mind you this request was/is not per the contest rules) so he lost out on a trophy but everyone at the show gave him rave reviews. Be warned on the Case problem, and lazy judges. Captn Tommy

Good point on the judging issue. I have seen them do that.