Very nice looking engine. For an oily appearance I like using Citadel Black Ink. Flows great, a little goes a long way and cleans up with water. I haven't used AK products yet...yet!

That’s an amazing looking kit, Paul. You’re doing it justice.

Thanks gents - thanks George @blackadder57 - I have some Indian ink will have a play.

Spiros @fiveten - yes the kit leaves no obvious way to display the engine - but I will dust off a decent camera and set up a light tent, before it disappears!

I have since tidied it up a little and dry brushed some highlights. I will get back to the Ki-43 this weekend as the putty dries on some ejection pins marks. I know they won't be on show but I will still fill them to get a decent paint job done.

Will prime some 'office' parts this weekend too.

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Paul,
That engine is a work of art by itself ! I agree with George that it's a shame to keep it hidden. Your attention to all the little details is amazing. Is that a fuel tank, or the bottom of the cockpit tub in your last photo ? I'm curious about a lot of the mechanical things with this "one off" design.

I'm also very interested in your Ki-43 build. I can hear one (or a few more) of them calling my name... : )

Louis - the Hase Ki-43 is a relaxing enough build - a very low stress experience - it’ll go quickly to the point of painting.

Ok, so I promised not to moan. I am back from about a week, on and off, of scraping seams off individual parts, and personally funding the sanding stick industry through these difficult times!

I have flat black primed some parts and begun base coating them In colours. Also lightly dry brushed the black primed MGs with Uschi Chrome polishing powder to lift out the highlights and add a metallic sheen to sharp edges.

It is a well designed kit, but if it were a lady we might call her high maintenance!

Looking at this 1/48 version I don’t know if I can manage to copy the 1/32 kit and leave panels off to display interiors. If not I may scratch a bench or winch and leave the engine out all together once photos have been taken of the interior.

I hope to get much of the interior sorted over the long weekend. Fingers crossed!

Hey Paul @yellow10! You cannot help but display that engine! "Blame it on" your excellent job so far.
All the best!

What a great build - the attention to details are second to none. And as the others said, the engine is a masterpiece! (I may have to order extra sandingsticks before you use them all up).