Sorry for the lack of up-dates - been trying to find some motivation. Also, Windows 10 has changed the method of up-loading pics from my cameras, which has been driving me nuts, and slowing things down considerably !
Anyway, I'm plodding on, and getting close to some actual construction. As with most Classic Airframes kits, there's a
lot of prep needed, including the removal of burrs, ejection pins, and in this case, opening some windows which are only engraved on the surface. There is also a total lack of locating pins, which means that short strips of plastic will be needed, cemented inside the fuselage halves, to help in alignment and joining.
The pics below show some of this, with large ejector pin stubs having to be removed, with the tail fin pins in particular causing fouling, preventing the fuselage halves from joining .
There should be a small window immediately aft of the cockpit, on both sides, and this was only engraved. The area only measures 2.5 x 1.75mm, so this was carefully drilled, and then opened using a scalpel, before filing around the edges. This will be "plugged" to mask for painting, and then glazed later, using PVA.
I'm hoping to start some "real" work over the weekend and, with luck, I may get the cockpit and nose area assembled, painted and installed - fingers crossed !