Build Log post part two! Cockpit has been painted and some photo etch applied. I sanded the Tamiya Liquid Surfacer on the tail, window panels and nose, applied more surfacer, sanded that, then sprayed liquid surfacer to show any flaws. I filled and sanded the flaws. The radiator was assembled painted and installed in the fuselage halves. I neglected to take a photo of the top and bottom seams prior to filling and sanding but there was a few gaps that I expected due to the careful aligning of the tail and window panels. I would much rather fill and sand the top and bottom seams than any steps that would have developed from assembling the halves first as the kit instructions specify. When I was fitting the front of the radiator scoop i noticed a step existed and found that there was a gap where the propeller is installed but the seam was tight along the top so I clamped the nose together, glued it and that resolved both the step and the gap. The fuselage is nearing completion! I’ve installed the etch in the wheel wells, painted, weathered and installed them and the wings are assembled. Before cementing the wings together I tacked them in place with some CA to keep them from shifting, again, careful alignment here will save time and frustration when inserting the gun plugs in the leading edge. Anyone see a trend yet? With careful planning and fitting you can side step most of the kit’s gotchas and be a fun build. More to come!
9 attached images. Click to enlarge.
