I have been doing some research to determine what I want to do to the kit interior to make it more like the real item. I probably should have done this first, since I have discovered that the kit has a pretty nice interior that bears very little resemblance to the actual plane. The pilot's section consists of a 5-sided box that frames the area, and includes the side consoles, floor, rear bulkhead, and a rather blocky seat attached to the rear bulkhead. I thought it had some potential until I found some interior photos on the Internet. It turns out the front cockpit of the model is almost entirely fictitious. The real aircraft has no floor at all in the pilot section. I need to decide how far down the rabbit hole I will go in the effort to make the model interior look like the real thing. This should be a real fun exercise in scratchbuilding.
In the meantime, I found a company online that makes a really nice 3D printed update set for the Kingfisher that includes a new float, an accurate pilot's compartment, an accurate rear compartment, a full engine, and a new cowling. They have several 3D printed sets for Monogram kits, including the AT-6 and the B-29. If anyone would like to check them out, they are called Flightline Engineering. I ordered the Kingfisher set, which I will use on the next one I build.
Tomorrow it will be rabbit hole time, so I am checking the batteries in my flashlight as I begin my descent into the scratchbuilding darkness. Should be fun.!?!
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
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1. Notice there is no floor. Just troughs for the feet.