Thanks for following along John and Doug.

I got as far as completing most of the cockpit which is extremely well appointed. i have been using an old Aero Series no. 23 "Douglas TBD-1 Devastator" for reference. All Devastators used lap belts up to Midway and not harnesses as the instructions insist so I popped some Eduard belts in place.

Since the bezels on the gauges are a bit deep, I decided to fill them with white glue to create the illusion of glass lenses. Machine guns are next.

That cockpit looks very nice, Eric. @eb801
Detailing and painting is very well done.
Indeed a great idea to use white glue for the lens effect, will keep that tip in my notebook.

thanks for the comments Spiros, John and Erik. Calling this cockpit a "work of art" is way too generous, Spiros, but I do appreciate it.

Looks amazing, Eric!
Clean, detailed job!

Here's what the installed bombardier compartment looks like viewing it from straight above. As you can see, the bombardier had to crawl down onto the wooden platform just below the pilot's seat, lie prone and sight out that lower window using a bombsight. Like I already mentioned, none comes with this kit and I should have looked for a spare. If you are going to position the bombardier doors in the closed position, just paint the diagonal window frame line only as that is all you can see, if that, because it's going to be awfully dark down there.

GWH instructions would now have you attach the top gun deck (with the assembled twin machine guns glued in place) to the side of the fuselage half. Note that the kit instructions show a single machine gun stowed in position as that is what all Devastators carried except at Midway. Midway TBD's had twins temporarily installed specifically for this battle. They couldn't be stowed or lowered in place so the gunner's canopies were left off for the duration of the attack. However if you glue these guns on now to their extremely weak attachment point, I guarantee you they will get knocked off in seconds. The attachment point is extremely fragile. Wait until your Devastator is completely finished before mounting these guns in place.

That bombardier compartment is really something, Eric @eb801.
First time I see something like this! What a cockpit arrangement!
Speaking of which, you are doing a really great job in there, despite the fit issues!

No kidding John. I certainly wouldn't want to lie down in there and try to sight a torpedo while getting bounced around. Douglas really came up with goofy idea on this one.
Thanks for the cockpit compliment. Hi five to Spiros as well.