Finished the pit tub today and glued it to the wing center section. Seatbelts are made of masking tape with lead wire buckles. Various scuff marks and dirt were added to give it that lived in look. The small levers on the console are the landing gear and flap controls and these are made of styrene card with a blob of glue on the end.
Thanks guys. That elevator control rod will need to do some serious contortions to thread it's way through the gunner's position. Not sure I'm going to do that and may instead cut it off and glue it separately since it won't be seen in the fuel tank bay.
Thanks gentlemen. Nothing done of late. Looking at that Achilles Heel of the kit - the coolant radiator intake - and am contemplating whether or not to try and remedy it. The issue and potential fix is described here: New Tamiya Il-2: The REAL comparison...
Thanks guys. Tim, on dry fits, the control rod was hanging up somewhere inside the guard mounted on the gunner's wall. I've since been able to get a small round file in there and remove whatever the obstruction was and it moves freely now.
Once again stunning work. I like this kit I've done two, a single seat and this one with the gunner. I like you know dip about the Russian planes so I didn't know anything was wrong. Ignorance is bliss so they say. Looking great though Andy.