My first in-depth foray into the dreaded photo-etch world. I'm stoppin' right here before I mess it up further - there are supposed to be a few more "fiddly-bits" added, but I'm satisfied with the way it look as is. Anyhow, I'm puttin' it aside and movin' on to sumthin' else (probably the gear).

Thanks, Robert...hope the rest of the build turns half as good! I'm jus' waitin' for the other shoe to drop. 🙁

You are doing well on your`e first bash at P.E Craig.
Nice office mate.

The cockpit on my F-4B in similar, and I've also left out some of the "fiddly" bits, haven't done the seats yet though... yours is looking good, Craig.

Looking good!

Craig,

WOW! this looks excellent. If I ever get back to doing mine I may have to close and tint the canopies just to hide my sitting place from the fine work you have done. Can't wait to see the completed model.

After MAJOR plastic surgery, much aggravation/frustration (which continues), I finally managed to get the cockpit-bottom fuselage to [sorta] fit. I was oh so happy with the way my PE emblazoned cockpit turned out, and now it's effectively ruined. I'll have to reconstruct what I can by working between the canopy rails and reach what I can. This is NOT turning out as I'd hoped. Maybe there's enough patience left in me to produce a fair build after all. We'll see. Although there's plenty of room for error in my future with this kit.

Suffice is to say, after TWO debacles with that Academy Phantom, I'll stick to Tamigawa from now on - at least I KNOW they'll fit "normally".

I've had similar problems with this, Craig, and haven't really solved them yet. I think Brian Scott posted a WIP with a way to solve this, but it's probably too late now. I'm of the opinion that the only good thing about all that PE is that it adds weight to the nose!