The Panther started to take shape today. I blanked off several see through holes in the fuselage and added fishing weights before I closed it up. I’ll remove the tail skid actuator from the arresting hook so both can be installed later.

10 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Looking superb, my friend @j-healy!

Now that the Skyraider is done, back to the Panther. I hope to have the seams cleaned up in the next few days.

5 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Very nice progress, John @j-healy
Didn't know those Panthers did have windows at the underside of the nose, do you know if that was used for reconnaissance purpose.

Ready for some sanding and polishing before the silver paint goes on. I’ll be away from the bench for about a week but this will finish up fast once I get the paint on it. I’m going to use Tamiya lacquer and AK enamel Extreme metallics for the NMF.

4 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Superb preparation indeed, my friend @j-healy!

We stopped by the USS Alabama Memorial Park before going out to dinner in Mobile over the weekend and look what I found out back in the weeds……an F9F-5P! The “PP” on the tail caught my eye from the parking lot. I’ve visited this ship and park dozens of times over the last 40 years and forgot about this plane. It was one of many exhibits damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and is the last plane awaiting restoration.

As you can see, that skin is smooth. Monogram got it right, Trumpeter got it wrong.

14 attached images. Click to enlarge.