An interesting pair of kits, Dmitry (@starfar). Looking forward to both builds. I just finished a 1/48 Dora Wings kit. It was a nice kit, but I approached the kit as a high-end limited run kit. Test fit everything. I got blindsided with some ill-fitting parts, and a couple of glaring errors in the instructions.

Great dual entry and equally great progress an both, my friend @starfar!

@gblair I absolutely agree. It looks like the 3D model has been adjusted because I don't see some elements on the parts that are shown in the instructions. And especially when it comes to the engine, the instructions are not clear at all. And test fit everything, everything.

@j-healy I checked out your build - great model! You made an interesting comment about the decals - are they really good? I'm thinking of making masks for the national insignia, as I haven't worked with the Dora Wing decals before.

@fiveten Thank you!

@johnb I always choose the desert scheme when I can 🙂

Both kits have issues with the instructions. Let's start with Henschel. I was looking at the photo of the prototype and realized it has an antenna mast. It's got a triangle on it.

The instructions didn't mention it, but luckily the kit has the part I need. The model was already primed, but I wasn't planning on installing it before painting it (same goes for the pitot tube). I usually break these things, so I'll paint it separately and install it at the end. I just drilled the position hole.

Then there were the white areas. Kit's instructions say it should only have the white stripe and white nose, but the SWS instructions (which include the same variant) say there were white stripes on the bottom of the wings too. So I did them too. Also, it looks like there should be an emblem on the nose, but the kit's decal sheet doesn't offer one. I'm not sure what to do about it.

While the white paint is drying, I've switched to the Curtiss. I'll admit, this kit is a bit of a puzzle. To close the fuselage, you've got to put together the cockpit and the engine.

Like most short-run kits, this one doesn't come with position pins. As for the cockpit, I pre-assembled it using the fuselage as a template. I'd like to paint these parts separately, but as George said, I should test-fit everything, and there is no other way - only glue some parts together. Everything else will be painted and then installed. I also glued the tail wheel section. It'll need a little sanding, but it's not a big deal.

The engine is more interesting. Not having any pins on the exhausts isn't helpful at all, especially since every pipe is made of two parts. So, you glue and adjust it so that it's a perfect fit for the engine. The exhausts were drilled, but will need some sanding. Actually, everything will need some sanding.

I had another question about the front engine part. Do you know what those pins between the cylinders are for? I don't see anything like that on the photos of real engines.

Excellent job so far, my friend @starfar! Not sure what these pins on the engine are for.

Henschel was painted. For me, this is the most creative and enjoyable phase of a build. I like to see how paint covers a surface. It's very meditative. The base colors (white, RLM65, RLM74, RLM79) are AMMO ATOM acrylics, the RLM80 mottling is Hataka lacquer. I base black, but don't marble. Instead I do post shading now - it's more controllable I think. Now I will continue with the clear coat and decals.

Work on Curtiss continues as well. The cockpit is ready for painting, but I still have to finish the engine assembly before I can apply the primer. I've installed the firewall to be able to install the engine mount next. PE parts are extremely stiff. I tried annealing the seat belts with a lighter (it helped me with Voyager PE), but it doesn't help much. So brute force helped.

@gblair Yes, old PE sets can be very challenging. I recall the use of annealing being mentioned in the instructions themselves. Can't remember which manufacturer it was. But it helped me a few times. Get a part amoust red with lighter and than it bends much easier. It's all different these days. With Eduard I don't even know if it is still PE, or some kind of laser cut when it comes about their seat belts. Looks like it's not brass anymore and it's very thin.

Both look excellent and I love your paintwork on the Henschel, my friend @starfar!