Walt, @luftwaffe-birdman
You have made a wise decision to shave off the "towel rack" antennae. I did the same thing with my ICM Heinkel 111 model. Unfortunately, when I installed the beam defense MG's, I managed to break off the barrels on both weapons. If I had another kit, and the opportunity to build it a second time, I would simply install the MG's and cut off the barrels, just as you did with the antennae.

One other "self induced" problem I ran into was when I was fitting the bomb bay into position. I didn't have mine perfectly centered, and this caused several builder induced gaps that likely wouldn't have been there otherwise. You can simply position the bomb bay racks and not glue them in solidly until later on when you are attaching the adjoining under wing panels. Your version might not even have the bomb bay as an option, and simply use the closed door blanking plate instead.

I'll bet this one is really starting to take up some room now ! Have you decided on which color scheme ? Winter versus standard splinter camo ?

I also used the Model Master / Testors enamels exclusively every since I started building models. When Rustoleum bought the company, and their "bean counters" advised them to discontinue this line of paint, I was shocked. Now, like you, I have been trying to find something that will work to replace my "go to" paint that I have used for nearly half a Century. I have been using "MRP" acrylic lacquer for some of my depleted Luftwaffe and US Navy paint stocks. So far so good...but it takes some getting used to.

I also ordered some of the Mr. Color paints, (along with a big bottle of the leveling thinner) primarily for my WW2 Japanese aircraft builds. Judging from your comments and seeing the spray card, they look promising.

Happy birthday to mom ...and take care buddy.

This project looks great, Walt (@luftwaffe-birdman). I had always used lacquers to paint, but when those got hard to find, I switched to enamels, so you know how that turned out. I had a lot of trouble when I switched over to acrylics until I finally started using Tamiya paints. I really like Tamiya paints, but their range is a little limited. I finally found AK Real Colors, which is a hybrid acrylic, just like Tamiya. Real Colors are my current go-to paints. You can find just about any color you want in Real Colors. I have heard great things about Mr Color, but they are really hard to get here. Looking forward to seeing the paint and decals on your 111.

Well, I know it has been a while since I have posted, but I have been making some progress. I did pause somewhat in preparation for IPMS Nationals here in the US. A great show with lots to see and lots of vendors selling good stuff.

Yes Paul, @paulh, I had learned of the new Go242 kit by ICM. I am intrigued by the idea of building it and presenting it with the Zwilling, man that would be a big base.

I am getting close to joining the two aircraft together. I am double checking all my seams prior to doing so to limit the handling of this behemoth once joined. The engine nacelles scare me a bit, I think they will be a fiddly fit that could cause issues. I have found that my fuselage and wings are warped and during assembly this has caused some issues. Generally the fit has been decent but fiddly and made more difficult by the warpage. I have had to add tabs at various location to have something to glue to to hold a shape, or prevent a piece from going too far. It is a shame to have this difficulty for what is otherwise a really nice kit.

The kit has you assemble all the lower wing surfaces to the spars and then the upper. I am somewhat following that since I am building it as two planes and then joining. I found that the upper wing to the fuselage join was not perfect. I was able to get 3 of 4 to close up but one left a large gap at the trailing edge.

I have also cleaned the seam lines and started painting the landing gear, and other smaller bits. It kind of makes for modern art looking at the pictures.

8 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Great progress indeed, my friend @luftwaffe-birdman!
What a beast!

Good progress, that's a big model! It would be amazing together with the Gotha. Given the size you'd probably need to suspend it from the ceiling 🙂

Well Eric, @eb801, it will end up in a box like all the rest of my models. I have ZERO display capabilities for my models in my house. They all end up in totes or custom boxes. I have some long totes that will hold it, and it will come out for shows, no matter how good or bad it turns out. I think I will put myself on the waiting list for that Go242 kit. That would be a fun build and excellent to put down with the Zwilling.

Well I haven't given up on this, I have just been busy with other things, and have started a Bf-109 also. At this point it is basically built. I have a few more pieces on the Nacelles, and of course the Canopies to attach. None of the seams have been worked on, I have just glued everything together. It was finicky and fiddly but it all went together fairly well. I learned from the first two Nacelle build, don't follow the instructions! That sequence just doesn't work nearly as well as putting the first two nacelle pieces in and then installing the built engine.

3 attached images. Click to enlarge.