Thanks guys! Some tinkering around with the drop tank... I adjusted the strap so that it met higher toward the rack to better represent the hanging position.
The drop tank was then given a gloss coat... decals applied... another gloss coat... and a dark pastel wash.
I'm trying to wrap up the seam between the resin gun breech and the fuselage. Panel lines have been cleaned up and a few lines of rivets have been added.
Ok... I think I'm ready for the big moment. I've been adjusting the join areas between the engine cowling and fuselage for some time now. Due to the extra width of the AMUR Reaver cowling versus the kit cowling area, I cannot get a flush surface-to-surface fit but I want to make sure that I get good contact areas around the perimeter so that the cowling is solidly joined to the fuselage. The last thing I want is the cowling to wiggle around after putting in the work to address the transition areas.
I have to seat the engine cowling and squeeze the bottom rear edge at the same time. I was very hesitant on trying to use CA glue for this join. I could see lots of bad things happening... fumbling around as some of the glue dries... locking the cowling into a bad position. So based on some recommendations, I picked up quick set 2-part epoxy, JB Kwik Weld, at my local hardware store. It sets up reasonably fast at an advertised 6 minutes which would give me enough time to fiddle the fit but not too long to have to squeeze that bottom rear edge together. I tested the stuff to see how it works... seemed to set in the advertised 4-6 minutes. After 8 minutes, the bond was strong and the glue was hard enough to trim the excess off with a knife and do a bit of sanding.
No time to take pictures during the gluing process but the engine cowling is now secured into place! I was very liberal with the glue application and some of it squeezed out to the surface. At about 8 minutes in, when the bottom rear edge seemed to be secure, I took a scribing tool and removed the dried excess glue. It came off quite easily as it was fully cured.
From this angle you can see the big overhang that will need to be filled in.
As I had hoped, the overhang on the starboard side is much less of an issue as a result of the squeeze.
With that hurdle crossed, I can now start thinking about how to attack the transition areas, especially since the wings have not been added yet. I'm looking to do as much corrective work as I can without the wings getting in the way.
Final little detail... the spinner has been given a flat coat.