I've decided that I will fit a drop tank afterall, using a spare from the Eduard Bf110 kit, and the cannon gondolas can be fitted after painting the model, but need some additions and improvements. Consequently, apart from the canopy frames, no further painting has been done yet, as some work is required on the drop tank rack, and around the gondola mounting points.
Once this is done, the rudder can be painted white, masked when dry, and the green RV band painted, before attaching the tail-planes and spraying the first colour, RLM 76, after the band has dried and been masked.
PIC 1. Regarding those tail-planes, and the relative location to the rudder hinge line, here is a better photo showing the arrangement, which matches the 'modification' I've decided on.
PIC 2. The kit provides only the muzzles for the MG131s, from the flash suppressor to just aft of the barrel nut, but they are adequate enough in this instance. The flash suppressors were drilled out as best as I could, given the tiny size of the parts, and relatively delicate material. Once painted, they should look acceptable.
PIC 3. The drop tank rack has had extra detail added, in the form of the attachment bolt housings, fuel and pressure line entry points, and the access apertures. The thinner sections of the sway braces are slightly too short for use with the intended tank parts, so these will be removed, and replaced with brass rod, to match the Eduard drop tank spacing.
PIC 4. I just couldn't leave the oil cooler exit vent as a 'solid' part, so the area aft of the already engraved shutter was cut away. It's a bit 'rough and ready', but better than nothing at all, and, being underneath, and partly masked by the drop tank, it should look good enough for the cabinet when everything is painted.
PIC 5. Canopy frames painted in the interior colour, RLM 66. These will, of course, ultimately be finished in the relevant camouflage colour.
PIC 6. The Eduard drop tank (at left) will be used, as it is more accurate for the period, and better detailed, than the kit parts (at right).
PIC 7. The kit parts for one of the MG151/20 gondolas. These are more or less OK in overall size and shape, but need some work around the ejector port and the blister over the feed mechanism. The 'solid' barrels will be removed, and replaced with alloy tube. Once assembled, they will be attached temporarily to the wings, and their outlines marked, before removing them. The outlined areas will then be masked until the model is painted and clear coated, when the masks can be removed, allowing a 'clean' fit of the gondolas to the wings.
That's all for now chaps, but I hope to have a further up-date tomorrow, perhaps with some painting done.