Hello,

I am wanting to replace the louvered side engine covers on the Tamiya Sdkfz7. Has anyone had any experience making louvered parts?

Thanks,
Sam

The best thing I can do is tell you how I would make a luvored pannel. Start with a base larger than the finished piece. Next create the frame in whatever shape you want sq, rec, etc and weld to the base. Next simply cut a strip of .01mm styrene and cut this into sections. Overlap and weld each strip in place starting at the bottom. Continue to fill in the area. If you are doing a circle do all of this with out the frame and oversised. Then trace the area with the frame and cut it out. When you are finished to this point trim the excess material to the exterior of the frame unless you want to attach it from inside of the model. -D

The best way I can tell you to make a louvre is to get something like the Chopper and make sure all your louvres are cut to the exact same length. If they are too long they will bow and make for a crappy effect. If they are to short they will not attach on one side. Use a piece of metal as a spacer on each end. I did dimes as they would not adhere to the plastic once the cement is dry. But length is the most important thing. They all have to be as precise as possible.