Thanks for the offer John (@wackett). I have a set of decals with "Joe Soap" as well so I wouldn't need yours. But I appreciate the offer.

As for the learning curve, do what you can and don't worry if you think it doesn't match what someone else does. We all started at the same point and bring different experiences to the hobby. I used to be an aircraft mechanic so I am quite familiar with aircraft in general. That makes building model airplanes easier. Please post what you're doing in this group under your own build thread. I am sure there are people who would love to see your work and there are also many who will provide extra encouragement.

I'm gradually making progress on the wings now. I will get back to the landing gear after getting the wings out of the way. I want to have them installed before attempting to do the final fitting (but not installing) of the landing gear because I have to scratch build the gear doors as well. Having the wings where I want them will add in getting the doors to look right.

I had some fit issues with the resin casting inserts I made, mostly self inflicted, but I am working through correcting them. Mostly gaps, but some steps as well. Fortunately, the steps are in areas where some careful filing can eliminate the problem. I am, however, going to have some surface detail restoration to perform afterwards.

Because my resin casting inserts could not include the top of the wing portion (due to the way I had to cast them), my plan had been to add the inserts, and then build up the top portion at the leading edge using milliput epoxy putty filed to shape. So the first step was to add it to the wing leading edges. It is by design that the amount added was more than needed. I wanted to leave enough to do the final shaping without having to add more later.

When I do these sort of things, I tend to get in a bit of a hurry and end up with something less than what I like. So I made sure to take my time on the left wing first. Shaping was carefully using a hobby knife, different shapes of files, sanding sticks and paper, and some scraping with a #10 blade. I switched back and forth between these tools, gradually working my way from the sides at the leading edge, to the bottom and then back up to the top. During the process, I also gradually reduced the amount sticking out forward of the leading edge. I used the Academy wing parts as a general guide for this by comparing it to my shaped part.

I am going to complete the left side of the wings (including surface detail restoration), before I start on the right hand wing.

Super job on creating those wing portions, my friend @clipper!

Excellent job, my friend @clipper! Looking nice and smooth. Good dealing with the wing to fuselage joints.

Thanks Spiros (@fiveten) and John (@johnb). I got the seams cleaned up and ready to go. They were fairly clean already, so it only took a small amount of sanding and restoration. The wing root seams were also good, only getting a bit of MrSurfacer 500 and then wiped off.

The cowling will be soon, but first I need to get the engine built up, so I moved over to that. The kit engine is quite detailed, it's really amazing what they can mold these days. The only thing not included are the spark plug wires (more on that in a moment). The exhaust stubs for the Hawk 75 (fixed gear version) have fairings over them and the kit parts have an extended exhaust tail at the opening. The kit parts are also solid (not drilled out). The RAF Mohawk does not use the fairings and the exhaust tail is shorter. I modified the exhaust by shortening the exhaust tail and then drilling out the exhausts using progressively larger drill bits. The photos show the exhausts after drilling but before I shortened the tails.

The spark plug wires modification was difficult (that's putting it mildly). Drilling the tiny (.3mm) holes in the ignition harnesses and then gluing .010 inch lead wire into them using CA glue that was not worth beans was enough of a pain that I may not do any more modeling today!

Those wires look scary, Carl (@clipper). Better you than me trying to do something like that. All the effort will be worth it in the end.

Thanks John (@johnb), George (@gblair), and Spiros (@fiveten). I really need to throw out my CA glues and buy new ones. And I need a consistent way to hold these small parts still when I am working on them. Half the battle in gluing these wires in place was holding them still long enough for the CA glue to grip. Model builders really need three hands. Two to hold the model and the tools, and a third hand for those times when you need a second tool in the process.

I have all the base colors applied to the engine parts and will get it assembled today. Then a bit of touch up will be required, no doubt. I've already painted those wires, but I wouldn't be surprised if some of it flakes off when positioning them in the final position.