No one likes to cut out vacuum-formed canopies; however, my tip makes it a lot easier. I use this often, and it works for a lot of purchased canopies and all homemade vacuum-formed canopies.

For purchased canopies, place the kit’s canopy inside the vacuum-formed canopy and use the underlying canopy as a nice, hard guide to cut against.
For homemade canopies, just place the vacuum-formed piece over the buck you used to mold it. It always works because it’s a perfect fit!

 I used this method tonight to make a vacuum-formed canopy for my new-tool 1/72 Airfix Spitfire. It took me 3-4 minutes to perfectly cut out the canopy.

If you bought a pre-made vacuum-formed canopy and cannot use the kit’s canopy under it, simply outline the vacuum-formed canopy in some fine-line tape (Tamiya 6mm for me!) and use that as a guide. This works wonders – you just have to go a little slower so you don’t cut through the tape.

Tip submitted by:
Michael Montefusco
Dover, Del.