OK, let's get this party started...
by gluing together the two parts of the exhaust. It's a very simple setup...
I removed the instrument panel from the plastic tree. It's ready for paint and some detail work.
The cockpit tub consists of three parts... not counting the ejection seat or the instrument panel. I'm going to wait to install the IP until I'm joining the fuselage halves together.
I have read where these cockpits were painted in all black, or a combination of interior green and black side consoles / IP. I have found a virtual cockpit of a restored F9F-6 at the Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, and it's mostly black. However it's also a swept wing Cougar.
The jury is still out on the decision...
The nose well / front strut assembly was built. It also consisted of three parts. Here again there is a little controversy on colors used. Interior green well, with Sea Blue strut (or aluminum strut), -or- Overall Sea Blue everything, including the wheel.
More research will be done before I start painting... The square open area just behind the gear well is where the dive brakes would retract into. I'm leaving the dive brake doors closed, as the doors are not normally seen in the open position when the plane is parked on the ground.
The ejection seat was built. It consists of four parts... More color controversy here.
Overall Black or Interior Green.
The arrestor hook was prepped for painting.
and the fuselage halves were also prepped for further assembly work.
Here I test fit the cockpit tub and the nose well in position to see how they fit, and to get an idea as to how much room was available for adding nose weight. It looks like there will be a lot of space for weight.
The box is already starting to look a little empty. There's not a lot of parts to this one.
I hope it goes together smoothly.
Possibly tomorrow I will get some more color research done, and spray some paint.
As usual,
Comments are encouraged.
