Awesome, Chuck. Mine will be in before new year. Looking forward to your thorough build log.

I wonder how far out that E/H release is...

Thanks Andrew, you will not be disappointed. The plastic looks good so far.
Hey Juan thanks for dropping by, this will be my first Modelsvit kit to build. Will soon get started on it.

Thanks Spiros, so far was able to paint the interior components as my usual process before starting assembly.

Thanks John, got it started already. At least step 1.

Let's get started. As my usual way of doing things, I first pre-paint the basic interior colors while still on the sprues. Starting by using Mission Models (MM) Zinc Chromate Green in the cockpit interior.

Don't forget the forward and rear bulkheads in the for the cockpits, these parts are on another sprue tree.

Used a lot of MM Zinc Chromate Yellow on the rest of the interior components. Seems like most of the interior wells and service bays were this color. The intakes may be natural metal. So may change this later on as I get closer to that part of the build.

Edged the main gear bay openings on the lower wing panel.

Also painted the interior of the fuselage halves, ZCG in the cockpit area, ZCY in the service and tail wheel bays.

The main gear bays, doors and roof areas are also painted ZCYellow.

The wheel bay are well detailed and looks accurate. The roof area looks ok. The bulkheads and walls look busy and just right in what is within the wheel bay. Parts looks real good to this point. The details pop already without any wash applied as yet.

The kit does feel more of a main street molding so far, sprue gates not oversized yet delicate, fine detailed parts will still need to be removed carefully.

Step 1, build the seats.

3 pieces make up both the pilots and WSO's seats.

And already a boo boo, not following my own advice in removing delicate parts. Already broke one of the legs on the seat frame. Easy fix and solution.

Take your time, be patient, parts are delicate. The parts fit well on the seat. Just let them set before handling.

Don't worry about the paint, touching up and some wash will take care of any discrepancies.

The upper seat cushions call for Tan or I may use a Faded Olive Drab. Then some can be yellow. Will check references. Was able to remove the 2nd seat frame successfully without breaking it.

I will use the supplied seat belts. The quality looks good, similar to an Eduard's fret. Painted the belts a Dirty White.

Will attach these in the next step. Off to a slow start but so far as expected on a new kit.

More to follow,,

Off to a great start, my friend @uscusn!

Thanks Spiros, will do an update this weekend.

More work on the cockpit. Attaching the seat belts to the seats. Step 2

Loving the clear colorful directions so far. But this is not a quick build. First after painting the belts Dirty White with Aluminum buckles. I first attach the LH lapbelts to the side rails and set before bending them to shape.

The PE is not as easy to work with like Eduards. But after some patience I start work on the first seat. The pilots and Rio's seat are identical.

Before working on the shoulder harnesses. Was painting yellow on another project, while doing that, I took the opportunity to paint the yellow tips on the prop blades for the F-82.

While still waiting for the lap belts to set, started step 3 to work on the RH side pilots panel.

Though not much to it, still lots of patience in removing the delicate detail parts that attach to the side consoles, requires, decaling, PE detail pieces as well as the plastic parts. First was to gloss coat the side panels for the decal step. I did this the day before.

Next was to remove a portion of the sprue that contains the hoses. This will be easier for me to remove them carefully without breaking them.

First thing was to apply the decals on the side panel.

Next was to attach the PE gauges and switch panel. Then carefully remove one of the hoses off the sprue which I was able to successfully, yippy! and the lever I guess that opens the canopy. The hose was painted Olive Drab, with a black regulator and aluminum fitting.

Let the pieces set and then go over with the ZCG and a wash. This finishes one of the panels. 3 more to go. and still to attach the shoulders harnesses on the seats.

Next up is to continue the work in the cockpit. More to follow.