Thanks Hugh.
Evan - I found the old decal sheet, which has the same (poor) RAF decals, but a US Navy R4D as the alternative, and they are Italeri too. Just shows what age does for memory !!
Anyway, the model is very nearly complete, with just the props, upper side antenna and a couple of small things to do, plus the base. I hope to have it all wrapped up by tomorrow night. Total build time to date is 50 hours, and i guess there's probably another 4 or 5 hours needed to finish it completely.
PIC 1. A general top view, showing the contrast of the control surfaces.
PICS 2 and 3. The main undercarriage has been fitted, and the lock struts added from stretched sprue. Brake lines are in the process of being fitted here, made from lead wire, and painting has not yet been completed.
PIC 4. The tailwheel as provided in the kit is a rather basic, solid item. And no, I don't know why I painted it either !
PIC 5. The part was trimmed and filed, and the shock strut added from plastic rod.
PIC 6. The modified unit fitted and painted.
PIC 7. Hollowing out the solid exhausts.
PIC 8. Exhausts fitted and painted, and main gear painted.
PIC 9. The pitot and D/F housing fitted, and the transponder wires in the process of being fitted, made from thin stretched sprue. These were trimmed once set, the masts cleaned up, and painted as required.
Thanks for the continued interest and kind remarks, and I hope to post pics of the finished model tomorrow.