Heck ! Two pages and 35 posts already, and nothing has been done yet !
OK, so a bit about the kit, and what is, and isn't needed.
I picked up this 'Weekend Edition' on special offer a couple of years back, for £12.50 - normal price at the time was around £20 or more, so a good deal I think, especially for what is included among the 340 parts .
There are probably as many parts not required, as there are needed to complete the model in the version depicted on the decal sheet, most of which are not shown on the parts illustrations in the instructions,with a load of underwing stores in the way of pylons, tanks, bombs and granatenwerfer etc etc, as well as multiple choice of such things as canopy styles, in both open and closed positions, rear gun deck fairings, nose gun covers, and at least three detailed instrument panels, and one or two 'plain' examples for use with the decal included. I haven't noticed any difference in the instrument panels, at first glance anyway.
As mentioned by Andy and myself, there are some areas that seem to be a little complex, and perhaps over-engineered, but I will be omitting those parts that will never be seen for this build, and replacing some others, such as the overly complex exhausts.
Karl had the same kit, in an earlier issue, which also included two sets of main fuselage halves - the 'standard' 'E' variant, and the extended, 'boat tail' version, but my example did not include the latter.
Fortunately Karl came to the rescue, and provided the spare fuselage parts, along with some other bits and pieces which can be used on the Fujimi kit.
The kit is exceptionally well detailed, which will be seen as the build progresses, but for now, here are some pics of some of the major areas that will distinguish the 'Dackelbauch' version from the 'E' variant provided in the kit.
PIC 1. The standard 'E' fuselage at top, and the extended, 'boat tail' version below. The extended tail housed a dinghy, and was opened via a latch in the gunners position, releasing and inflating the dinghy, which could be hauled in with the aid of the cable along the port side of the fuselage.
PIC 2. At the top is the Fujimi 'Dackelbauch' belly tank, with the Eduard example below exhibiting the prominent ribbing. However, both examples lack the fuel fillr details on the front of the tank.
PIC 3. Those contentious main wheels, with the 'True Details' resin Bf110C/D wheels at the bottom. It turns out that the kit wheels are more or less correct after all, with the resin examples being more suited for an earlier 'B' variant !
PICS 4 and 5. The vast majority of the internal detail in the gun bay can be omitted, as the upper cover will be cemented in place.
PICS 6 and 7. The exhausts are separate, solid parts, which will no only be fiddly to assemble and fit, but could also be prone to misalignment, or repeated damage during handling. They will be replaced with the Aires resin examples (as will those on the Fujimi kit) whih I've ordered.
I hope to make a start on the model, commencing with the highly detailed interior, within the next couple of days, and certainly by the weekend, just as soon as I finish the Mosquito PR.IX and get the photos done.
Thanks for looking, and I'll be back soon (ish).