Andy... that piece was indeed a mystery so I just oriented it similar to the instructions and so that it didn't get in the way of the other pieces. I'll try but I don't think I'll be able to get the main gear leg off to rectify so it'll probably remain. Not my best work but I wanted to get this one out of the way in time for the start of the new GB, like I said. Looking forward to seeing how it is SUPPOSED to look like (plus many more additions) in your build.
I'm glad you mentioned the tail wheel. I was quite proud of how the paint and weathering came out on that and was surprised when I didn't get any comments on it.
Since I didn't snap any shots of the final bits and pieces going on and my inability to take the finished pictures due to the weather, I'll share some close-ups of the finished model, cruddy light and all.
The rear antenna array. The mount for the array is a very delicate piece. Due to the duplication of sprues, the kit has two of these mounts but both of them broke.
Here is a view of the top of the fuselage showing the Shrage Musik cannon and direction finding radar. The aerial was stretched sprue... it took me about five pieces to get one to stretch thin enough.
You can see the weathering I did on the props and spinner. The spinner shape IS inaccurate (the real one being noticeably more pointy) but I spent enough money on AM that I didn't bother replacing them.
A closer view of the rear gun and the gunsight that was added to the barrel. I was happy with the way the scribing on the top of the fuselage came out.
A view of the bottom. I found the boarding ladder hiding in the kit box. I may have mounted the ladder incorrectly but it seemed to fit better this way.
The scratched DF loop and bottom hatch came out pretty good.
Another view of the landing gear with the wheel mounted. Weathering was kept very light.
The small antenna under the wings were PE pieces supplied by the kit. One good thing about steel PE is that its much stronger in place than brass. I think the tiny arms would've been gone by now if they were brass.
A peak into the the tail wheel opening after the gear and the doors have been added. You can't really discern the bulkhead work that was done.
Another view of the bottom. This is the biggest kit I've assembled yet. I can't imagine what building the Revell 1/32 Ju88 must be like.
I lost alot of the pastel work on the tire with the application of the flat coat.
When the weather clears, I'll get proper pictures in good light so that you'll get a better sense of the color scheme. Cheers!