GB-49 1/48 XP-55 - Favorite A/C of WWII

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Well the SAC metal landing gear came in. I really only needed the front gear as the forks broke on the original kit gear.

The exhaust manifold did not want to fit so I had to do some minor filling top and bottom to make them fit.

They suggest that you heat up the brass to make it soft, really! Nope ain't a gonna do that!

I had to sand down both sides of the cockpit wall to get the Fuselage to fit and it's still a pretty tight fit. I glued and let set the top then came back and did the same to the bottom.

I'm really liking the kit over all. The cockpit was probably the biggest build of the kit so var. the nose gear doors on the first example opened with the gear down. It was noted to have directional stability issues when this happened. the nose gear doors were redesigned to only open as the gear went up or down on the second and third models. They do give you the cut outs to open them if you want but they would never be open on the ground save for servicing so they will stay closed.

 
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Thanks guys, having a good time with this kit. Over all the fit is pretty good for a limited run kit. I can honestly recommend it if you like the subject.
The lower half of the wing contains the gear bays which include the main bays and the inner side bulkheads to the bays. They were pretty tight to get in-between and required a little bit of injunctive to get them in place and glued down, a couple hobby knifes and a set of tweezers, though not their normal use, made this happen.

Upper wing was a good fit and the wing to fuselage make not to bad. little gap but I think it will work out fine.

Slight gap on the lower to forward fuselage mate, again not a big issue to clean up. Heck with what I've read about Curtiss in the last day on quality, might be as designed!, oops did I say that out loud?
 
Well I dropped a part onto the freaking carpet, looked high and low No Go! Well so far that is if you could only see the pile I did pull out! I thought I was loosing my marbles but then look what I turned up in the search! I think I can get on with out or maybe able to re-manufacture the part, we'll see!


Anyway, the wing to fuselage had a gap. used card stock to fill and then trimmed.
 
Looks good so far Don.
I saw in the posted instructions that the elevators are molded as one part to be installed before the nose is closed up. It is the same on my P-55 so I cut them apart so they could be installed after the nose was closed up to make working on the seams easier. I drilled out the connecting rod and added brass rod so they key together inside the nose when I install them.
 
Great idea Glen. Like it.
 
Well been on hold since I dropped a couple parts and the carpet monster and couldn't find them. I finally got a replacement kit in from Scott at Rebelalpha. I have a replacement "F" tree coming from Modelsvit but that could take forever. I told Scott about my dilemma and as soon as he got one in he let me know. I ordered it in five minutes and it was on its way the next day. Got it yesterday and got back to work.

The whole issue started here. The shaft is too thick to fit through the hole. No comments there please, snicker snicker.

I had to widen the hole on each part. The part below was one of the parts that flew off.

Finished prop.

The radiator section was another part went flying. New kit, done on that also.

Setting on the bench.

Test fitting the radiator section.

Added nose weight.

Wing tip and stabilizers added

Cowl flaps ready to go on.
 
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