Hello my fellow modelers:
Here's the week advance so far before the task of detailing and joining the wings to the main body.
First, the main work that had to be completed was applying the RLM 02 to the interior of the cockpit framing as can be appreciated in the following images. The image 4 was a life saver due that based on the colors and the cockpit layout, I could proceed with several details. BTW for reference, this image was found in the deutscheluftwaffe.de/he 177, web page.
But I thought that some more detail could be applied to the cockpit such as the fine lines in the interior of the cockpit (guess these lines were used to determine the size of an specific target for the pilot, or for alignment in certain moments?)
The green lines corresponds to the mirror locations in each side of the cockpit to appreciate when the engines begin to immolate themselves.....
The yellow lines corresponds to the curtains location, that in this project were located in the upper framing in order to avoid blocking the interior view....
Finally it was time to close the main fuselage body with the glazed surfaces and to proceed with the priming works. But before this, the following works were completed:
* installing the Revi gunsight for the B1 stand.
* Installing more yellow wires in the limit of the fuselage against the glazed surfaces.
* Begin with the rivet works on the elevators:
Then it was time to apply the primer works basically in the fuselage halves joints along the kite. This particular work has been performed at least two times in the aft belly surface due that in some moment, this surface went concave despite the interior polystyrene shims. So one hand at a time, the surface looks quite regular for my taste (photo 1).
Also this same procedure was performed in the upper surface of the fuselage where the main fuel caps are located as can be appreciated on the image 02, where this piedes were detailed with photo edged caps.
Then after carefully watching some images of the actual kite in this site, I found that there were two parts that are not included neither on the kit box or in the exterior Eduard photo etched parts. In the image 03 it can be appreciated that in the starboard of the B1 gun slightly protrudes a box surface. This was also emulated and installed in place. The only reference image that I found was in the War thunder website that the lower left image belongs to. The other missing part that was later installed was a little air inlet also in the starboard side of the kite.
Finally the tail gunner received a more accurate detail that position its gun, and is ready to receive the final priming works with a Mr Hobby 1500 surfacer.....
Hope that during this period the wings can finally be detailed and positioned. After reading several websites, I've found that the joints between the fuselage and the wings are rather delicate and prone to fail, along with the performed works....

So, in order to avoid keeping reworking the performed works, I have scheduled that once the wings are properly glued and positioned and taking advantage that the bomb bays are opened, I will create a small internal structure to help any further hindrance between the cables and batteries....

. Also it is considered that this plane has to perform at least two bus travels to the Nationals (around 900 kms away).. and maintaining the structural integrity in the process..
And then, the complete final priming works can be applied to the kite as a whole before the painting works can begin..... no biggy..
Please have a great one and stay safe my friends.
Gerry
