I spoke to soon !
When preparing to fit one of the rudder actuating cranks, it 'pinged' from the tweezers. I heard it skitter across the bench, but after an intensive search, I failed to find it.
I'll either have to make one (preferable), or steal one from one of the Monogram kits, and make one for that model when the time comes.
Anyway, some progress shots.
PIC 1. The fin post for the antenna wire was moulded integrally with the fin on one side, and of course didn't last long during handling. This has been replaced with a small length of brass rod. Also seen here is the surviving rudder actuating crank, in need of a little re-touching.
PIC 2. The remaining transparent parts have had the frames painted, and are ready to install, with the guns (where required) yet to be fitted. The roof hatch has also been painted, but the clear coat was still drying at the time the pics were taken.
PIC 3. Props assembled and painted, and gloss-coated ready for the 'VDM' decals. Reflection from the lighting has given a strange, 'rippled' appearance to a couple of the blades. These will be given a little paint wear when dry and matt coated.
PIC 4. The undercart doors have had panel lines and inspection hatches added to the inside, and await clean-up and painting.
The retraction jacks have been fitted to the main gear cross-braces, but were virtually impossible to photograph easily.
Next step, before fitting the above parts, is to try to scratch-build the 'windgitter' spoilers for the front of the bomb bays. These were similar to a venetian blind in appearance, and were intended to deflect airflow turbulence, allowing the bomb load to release into relatively 'clean' air.
Given that I'm successful in making them, they will need to be fitted so as to match the angle of the bomb doors, and therefore some room to work around that area will be preferable, rather than have 'sticky out' bits getting in the way and probably ending up damaged.
All being well, I hope to start on that little(!!) task tomorrow night, and I'll post another up-date when there's more to show.