Ok Greg! Done with my phone so apologies! Here are the wings (your wish, my command etc.). Dry- fitted to show the shape of the plane! Really nice the way they fit onto the metal support. However need to mask the rest of the canopy parts (my favourite occupation, not...) before I can connect the wings properly!

There are figures Bernard - my figure painting is going to be pretty limited in quantity (and quality) during this project! - I have three figures in mind but not those with this kit; they are set as if riding at high speed in attack mode!

It is a good question about Ramcke! He was very much a model Nazi, and his famous breakout from the blockade by the British during the third battle of El Alamein is about as stubborn a bit a fighting as was witnessed. There are stories on units being considered 'gone' and reappearing during WW2 - the Ramcke story is amazing. Fanatical indeed.

I know the 1st and 3rd Battalions of the 5th Parachute Regiment were flown into Tunisia to protect airfields and to defend Koch during Operation Torch. The Tamiya kit refers to the 5th, which were not Ramcke's troops - although he was in charge of the 'Parachute Brigade' which might have given him some over-arching command. Ramacke's unit probably fought with the 1st Italian Army at Mareth (Southern Tunisia) in March 1943 - when Patton reversed the fortunes of US forces from Kasserine and won the first tank battle against Axis forces during the Battle of El Guettar, and during the retreat and eventual withdrawal/surrender in May.

So I know both were in the vicinity at the time but will need to do a little more detective work to get the story straight before writing a description when this is all done!

Paul, I am truly impressed with the comprehensive delicacy of this build, and the care you have taken every step of the way--indeed, the only way such a work can be done properly. I'm thrilled to see this as a diorama, and the bike with the sidecar is an excellent touch. Great work and a true jewel in the crown of the KP GB!

Interesting reading, there. Like you couldn't make your mind up between cosmology or physics - which won in the end?

That side car is gorgeous! I am going to love this dio - whatever you do with it.

Jewels and Crowns might be a stretch! If it is a ‘dio’ as opposed to a base+ it’ll be a simple one and my first!

With those parts dry time to attach the wings

The wings slide into the metal strut and are glued to the side of the plane.

The top of the canopy then snaps into place to complete the assembly.
I am beginning to see that the order of assembling and painting small parts is going to need some care...

I'm at peace with it, David - it is a risk I knew I might be running.

Although half a glimpse of one of my wife's shelves crept in. I won't take responsibility for Philip Pullman!