Fitted the engine and glued the two air inlets above.

Glued the oil cooler underneath; fit was not great, so some filling and sanding here as well.

There's a nasty sink mark in the middle of the oil cooler cowling; will be addressed with liquified styrene and afterwards filler.

There are two magazine covers. that are supposed to be glued beside the oil cooler. I am not extra happy about them; they might look a bit toyish, so I do whatever research I can to define this obscure area...mybe sanding them a bit for a more aerodynamic look.

Also, there's an uninspiring hole a bit further back to secure the crude bomb provided at the kit (which I am not going to use...); closed it with stryrene rod and awaiting filling; will have to fit a sot of bomb suspension device (mini pylon?) there...

So painting is a bit delayed.

All the best, Great EoJ GB!

Hi my friend @airbum.

Liquified styrene (with MEK as a dilluant) is a great tool for cases like that ugly sink mark on the Jake cowling, or the sealing of the Dakota cargo door or any other situation where you have a gap to fill and give strength to the surrounding area.

Since it's the same material as the model's, it can be sanded nicely to shape.

Care must be taken, as it may create sink marks if applied too heavilly.

You don't have to make it every time before use: you can make some quantity once, maybe a thin and a thick one, kept in jars for a long time no problem, replenishing them on occasion when their level drops.

Jars with brush applicators may be more favourable.

I also like to apply it with a toothpick and, I admit it, wipe smoothly with my finger immediately afterwards...

Once the jar is tightly closed, it can last forever, and if it gets thicker, just add some MEK: so simple!

Here's a video on how to make it:

Th Jake is in good process: fitted the underbelly ammo magazines and belly window frame.

Have fabricated a mini "pylon" to fit there also, as I will not use the simplistic bomb provided.

Painting is delayed due to all these small bits fitting.

All the best, my friend!

Spiros, I blinked and a plane appeared again! A measure of my increasingly infrequent visits to iM currently. There is always great stuff like this when I come
Back!

A massive well done on the cockpit. This kit gives you literally nothing! It is a challenge and of course a massive opportunity to have fun - which you have clearly done. Loving the build!

This is turning out great, Spiros. The scratchbuilt cockpit was a great idea. That blank cockpit is the only reason I haven’t built thus kit. Such a great subject.

And a small update:

The Jake has three prominent airscoops beside the canopy at the starboard side. There were poorly represented at the kit (and, wrongly, at both sides), so I sanded them off and glued three half cylidrical styrene pieces. Once cured, they will be drilled and smoothened.

Also I fabricated a smallish central bomb pylon (from the Val I think), as the kit provides nothing but a generic bomb to be glued cruedly.
All the best!

Finally found your latest post. Wow. That sure is looking terrific. I'll make sure to check back on a regular basis now.

Is that green stuff the putty you mentioned above or paint?

I wondered if that was Squadron green putty. By the way I think Squadron is repackaging Vallejo's white putty under their own label. I just got a new Squadron tube and i would say it's identical. Dries too quickly for my liking but sands nicely.

Is that standard Nakajima prop color? Wondered if it's PC to use it on the Ki-84 "Frank"?

Hi everyone!

Finally, my Jake at the paintshop.

Green applied

Still drying...
Grey undersides will come next.
All the best, my dear friends!