It's progressing towards the finish line!
Finally got some of the small stuff done, after mixing RLM 02 from a combination of old Humbrol gloss, satin and matt paints!
PICS 1 and 2. The windscreen has had the port side screen joint, where the panel opened, engraved, and the grab handles added from stretched sprue. The moulded reflector screen on the gun sight was cut off, and replaced by two pieces of thin clear sheet, one of which was tinted green, using a CD marker pen. The cockpit UV lamps were added, also from stretched sprue. The windscreen and frames have yet to be cleaned up in these shots.
PIC 3. The forward joint between windscreen and cowling, although visible on the full-size aircraft, was a tad wide on the model, so this has been filled with PVA, which will be painted once set.
PIC 4. After removing an ejector pin mark from the rear of the canopy armour plate, this was painted and cemented in place, and support struts added from stretched sprue. The canopy internal and externall frames had already been painted, and the knobs for the side screens, along with the perspex handle for the top panel, were carefully engraved. The locking latch and retaining wire will be added, from stretched sprue, prior to fitting the canopy to the cockpit sill.
PIC 5. The leading edge HP slats had been tacked in place with PVA whilst the model was painted, and these have now been removed, the area cleaned up, and the visible sections of the internal leading edge painted RLM 02. The slats will be cemented in place in a semi-deployed position.
Next step is to add the shoulder harness straps from foil, then fit the rear glazing, before moving on to the landing gear/tail wheel etc.
Thanks once again for your continued interest and comments, and I'll post another up-date soon.