Thanks very much Hugh.
The canopy is turning out to be a bit more complex than I at first thought. I knew that the rear, fixed screen as supplied is incorrect for a MkIIB, but I will add an extra vertical frame and live with it . However, the main canopy is supplied in three sections, and I had hoped to pose at least the front canopy open.
On the real aircraft, the front canopy slides over the fixed, centre section canopy, with the rear canopy sliding under the centre section - not to the rear as often depicted on models. The thickness of the mouldings prevents this happening with the kit parts, but I had planned to thin-down the base frame of the centre section, and possibly add shims to the base of the front canopy, to allow the latter to fit snugly over the centre. Initial tests show that this will still look wrong, so rather than mess about, and spoil the overall appearance, the canopies will be closed.
There is still work to do before this can be completed though!
PIC 1. This crop shows the longer rear screen on the MkIIB, and also the extra vertical frames in the main canopy sections. In addition, on the Boscombe Harvard, there are extra opening panels in each side of the front canopy glazed panels.
PICS 2 and 3. This is the first stage in getting it right. The windscreen and rear screen have had the frames painted matt black (the interior colour), with a neater, second coat yet to be applied. Once this has fully hardened, the frames will receive a coat or two of the yellow, before being dipped in 'Future' and fixed in place. This will give the reference points for fitting the other three sections.
PIC 4. The kit canopy sections, showing the 'Texan'- style frames. These will be masked and painted black, followed by the yellow, as already described. The extra vertical frames, and those on the rear, fixed section, will be added from painted tape.
PIC 5. A length of clear 'Sellotape' (ordinary, clear parcel tape) has been laid down on a piece of gless (an old glass drinks coaster) and painted matt black. Once dry, this will be over-painted in yellow. The required lengths will then be carefully cut to shape, and then applied to the canopy sections and pressed into place. A coat of 'Future' then provides the gloss to the paint, a shine to each canopy section, and also seals the tape in place. That's the plan anyway, and it has served me well in the past!
Just another few hours work should see the canopies done - maybe by the weekend !!