Disaster has struck

[Guest]

HELP! I HAVE ACCIDENTALLY MELTED THE WINGTIP ON MY CURRENT PROJECT. I had the plane fixtured in a vise at an angle that would allow me to apply a decal to the side of the fusalage. I moved my magnifying light over the wingtip to get a better view of what I was doing. Unfortunately in doing so the heat from the bulb caused the wingtip to melt and curl. I didn't discover this until I attempted to invert the plane for the decal application to the other side of the fusalage. I couldn't believe my eyes when I discovered this had occurred. Does anyone have any ideas on how I could miraculously return the wingtip back to its original position. I've tried prayers but have not been successful to this point.

Thanks in advance!

Tom

[jimpman120]

you have to fix it the way it was damaged, heat. slowly warm it and keep a little pressure on the tip.

[wonwinglo]

If it is not an expensive kit then buy another,graft a wingtip in place and add the contents to your spares box,if that is a viable proposition ?

[Guest]

Warm water, take the plane and dip the tip in the water for a short while, then see how pliable it is, if its still solid put it back for a few more seconds and keep this up until it is flexible and you can bend it back into shape.

Water temperature should be around 60C, maybe higher but definitely shouldn't be near boiling point!

Otherwise another simple solution is to use a hair dryer set on maximumish heat and medium airflow and then heat the wingtip up from as many angles as possible and continuously test how pliable it is.

Good luck

Simon