Thanks @billkoppos and @lgardner. Invaluable help, my friends. Here is how we look now. Masking this canopy, painting the upper part of the cockpit, affixing the gunsight and off to the paintshop!

3 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Thanks Bryan @plasticslave! I masked that canopy. (Me, masking canopies: o tempora o mores!)
Keep up, E(mpire) of J(apan) >E of J GB!

1 attached image. Click to enlarge.

Hi guys!
Engine cowling painted scarlet red, I think matches adequately the decals red. Oil cooler inner channel deepened and thinned, its interconnecting restrains painted silverish steel (...steel with a silver smear...go figure...I am hopeless), the whole assy black washed for some added realism.
Bird masked, canopy attached with bluetac, ready for the paint shop!
Thanks, for watching, my fellow EoJ GB!

3 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Thanks for your kind word s, Paul. Glad you like my progress. Just finished painting. Here's how she looks. Hope you like her!

1 attached image. Click to enlarge.

Some spare time, this nicely set EoJ GB with the true interest and collegue spirit and even some more, all these things come up together as motivation to do even a small or bigger bit every day. Thanks for the supporting words@airbum, mean a lot to me.
All the best, my friend! Now let me tackle the petite Nate...

Looking very impressive Spiros! Really nice lines on this one too! Planes I'd never given much time or thought to are jumping out of the screen!

I get those male monkey attacks too! 7 and 8.5!

Nice work.Following as usual Spiros!

Spiros, those softeners are great stuff - I am amazed each end every time I use it. Sometimes two, even three applications are needed, but that is one modeling item worth every penny - oh, and your build is progressing nicely!