OK. Around three hours work has got this small amount of initial construction and painting done.
PICS 1 and 2. As mentioned earlier, the instruments have been given a coat of gloss white enamel, in the hope that this will form a base for the detail, when the final paint colours can be scratched to allow the instrument detail to show through.
If that doesn't work, then I'll attempt to cut the individual dials from the decal sheets and apply them to the panels. Note that the lower switch panel needs to be removed - if I can fit the panel without this, as the locating tab is on the base of the switch panel.
PIC 3. The starboard console has been assembled and fitted to the floor, and has yet to be cleaned up, and the engine control stand has been fitted, and awaits the separate levers. The two small parts at the front of the starboard console are the oxygen regulator and the top of the oxygen feed, again separate parts which, like the levers, were a pain to fit.
PIC 4. The levers in place on the engine stand. These were attached to the sprues along the
side of each lever, rather than on the base ends, making it almost impossible to remove all of the attachment points. In addition, there is a complete lack of attachment slots on the console, just feint groves. Once set, the remains of the sprue attachment will (hopefully) be removed by melting them with liquid cement !
Once that's done, the base colour (RLM 02) can be applied, before detail painting and then adding the other parts of the front cockpit.
After that struggle, dealing with the extremely fiddly Eduard design, I need a rest, as my shoulders, neck and hands are aching with the effort !
But, I should be back relatively soon, perhaps even later tonight, with a little more progress.