Best way of simulating periscope lenses?

[43rdRecceReg]

I've tried using bits of clear perspex in the past, with a backing colour- but does anyone have a tried and tested means of making Tank and AFV periscopes look convincingly glass-like?
This would also apply to vision blocks for the Driver and Commander's cupola.


These (taken from Rock Steady Militaria) are said to be real Tiger tank vision blocks:



This Tamiya Abrams has the sort of look I'd like for some jagdpanther periscope lenses/blocks. How can they be simulated?

[43rdRecceReg]

Schumo make periscope kits, for example, for the Tamiya Panther Ausf G:

They look okay, except that they should reflect light at certain angles. These just look like-well, grey bits of plastic. They need to have lustre. But how?

[Jimster]

I used old film negatives cut to size.

[silversurfer1947]

I have no idea whether this is relevant, but it's worth a look. https://deluxematerials.co.uk/products/ ... lass-100ml
This works on top of plastic, I think.

There is also Mikro Krystal Klear, which can be used to create clear glass.

[Sub]

Hi.
Fox's Glassier mints, suck em to right size...

Or what my go to glue for such things is

Devcon 5 min clear epoxy, i use this to simulate anything that needs a deep glass effect, it sets crystal clear, just make up a mold, mix it up and pour it in, it self levels and has surface tension so if careful you can even get a convexed curvature on the outside.
It is not cheap but it is excellent stuff

Regards
Sub.

[43rdRecceReg]

I used old film negatives cut to size.

Sounds like a good tip, Jim. However, I only have a few (pre-digital age) packs of negatives remaining, and they're irreplaceable.

[43rdRecceReg]

Hi.
Fox's Glassier mints, suck em to right size...

Or what my go to glue for such things is

Devcon 5 min clear epoxy, i use this to simulate anything that needs a deep glass effect, it sets crystal clear, just make up a mold, mix it up and pour it in, it self levels and has surface tension so if careful you can even get a convexed curvature on the outside.
It is not cheap but it is excellent stuff

Regards
Sub.

Thanks, Sub. You know, I don't think I've tasted a Glacier Mint since the 1950's. Those were the days when teeth could be drilled without local anaesthetic, by something resembling a conveyor belt-powered Dremel. Yep, all those sweets had payback! Fox's Glacier Mints were very popular then, along with Murray mints. , and equally adept (but not as much as toffees) at pulling fillings out.
A glacier mint, once sucked, also became pretty sticky- thus glue would be unnecessary.
However, the Devcon 5 sounds promising. Even though it sounds a bit like a countdown state to Mutually Assured Destruction.
I suppose pigments, or dyes could be added to it, to add the tints found in some vision blocks and periscopes.

[43rdRecceReg]

I have no idea whether this is relevant, but it's worth a look. https://deluxematerials.co.uk/products/ ... lass-100ml
This works on top of plastic, I think.

There is also Mikro Krystal Klear, which can be used to create clear glass.

Thanks, Richard!.. 'Looks like Glass' could be added to the surface of a Schumo periscope, I expect, with a good effect. However, the 'Mikro Krystal Klear' has greater potential, I think

phpBB [video]

The suggestion is that it's good for windows up to 1/4" square. For periscopes, it would have to do a wee bit more than that, but I'll certainly check it out.

[silversurfer1947]

I have no idea whether this is relevant, but it's worth a look. https://deluxematerials.co.uk/products/ ... lass-100ml
This works on top of plastic, I think.

There is also Mikro Krystal Klear, which can be used to create clear glass.

Thanks, Richard!.. 'Looks like Glass' could be added to the surface of a Schumo periscope, I expect, with a good effect. However, the 'Mikro Krystal Klear' has greater potential, I think

phpBB [video]

The suggestion is that it's good for windows up to 1/4" square. For periscopes, it would have to do a wee bit more than that, but I'll certainly check it out.

I have only used the Mikro Krystal Klear for a pair of 1/16 goggles, but have found it very good. It looks odd on application as it is white, but dries clear. For the goggles, I used a cocktail stick to draw it across the full aperture.

[B_Man]

Krystal Klear is good stuff. For the spotlight on my Jumbo I put a small LED in the back and then filled the whole thing with Krystal Klear and it looks the goods. For periscopes I just cut pieces of clear plastic from that hard packaging that everything seems to come in these days and glue it in with Krysytal Klear. Paint the back with a translucent Vallejo paint in the shade of your choice and the jobs done.