Its been some time since I last posted to my diary. Ive made some steady progress n that time just edging forward slowly.
Canopy and Landing gear are painted along with various parts yet to be attached
Tailwheel and hook
Further detail to LG wheelbays added....needs further tidy up.
LG coming together. needs a bit more work
Subassembly coming together. I will apply a wash to the hydraulic lines just to make them less loud
Engine cowl are together, but much drama. Main shaft was too short forcing me to extemporise a new prop shaft from brass rofd running through the centreline of the engine plug and anchoring it with a styrene bush behind the engine firewall.
First dry fit. IFF flashes added. need a bit of tidying up but not too bad
Dry fit 2 with centre ckit glass. some of the cockpit glazing mask has been removed....so far Im happy
prop has been corrected. canopy (less the slide) is also fitted, though I am not entirely happy with the fit aft. I might be stuck with it as the radio mast is also in place and there would be a strong risk I would break something if I tried to remove it . Im very happy with the canopy frames that ive painted. OTOH the fit aft is terrible, and I may not have a choice really
Ive had another go at the yellow IFF flashes, but they are still not right. for that reason the wing mounted guns are still not fitted.
Ive applied some very subtle weathering in the area aft the exhaust stacks and some far less subtle underside staining along the seamlines using pastel chalks.
Getting a bit closer. hope to finish this week...…..we will see.
Prop looks better. The yellow I.D. bands are always a pain in the keester, trying to keep everything even. I have decals for my Ki.44 GB but I'll paint them instead
Really looking great Michael, I like what you've done and the research going into it. I agree with Andy on the photos. I often see things in my pictures that I did not see looking at the subject.