A bit more has been done, although not much to show after a number of hours of fiddly work. Some detail has been added to the rear fuselage, the lower cowling has been fitted, after removing some spurious detail and ejector pins. and the radiator has been fitted, with a new cap made from a small disc of plastic. Most of the time was spent drilling more holes for the rigging, before fitting the lower wing and tailplanes.
PIC 1. The rear fuselage as provided, lacking the prominent ribs.
PIC 2. Ribs were added by cementing in place fine strands of stretched sprue, cut to the required lengths. The pic shows the work in progress, and each 'rib' has since been straightened, and the area lightly sanded.
PIC 3. Bottom cowling panel in place, with the rear joint yet to be attended to.
PIC 4. Before fitting the radiator, the prop shaft was shortened, and fitted into the hole for the air intake, leaving the hole for the shaft, at top, to represent the intake of the Wolsley 'Viper' engine. This was a 220hp engine, based on the Hispano-Suiza 200hp, but was direct drive, with the prop mounted lower than the geared HS engine, and the prop rotated in the opposite direction. Vic very kindly sent me both types of two-bladed prop and, after verifying which was which, the hole for the shaft was enlarged to accommodate the Smer part.
PIC 5. The kit radiator cap was a bit of a 'blob', so it was cut off, and a new cap made from a slice of plastic rod. The engine block can also be seen through the apertures for the cylinder heads and exhausts.
PICS 6 and 7. Holes have been drilled through the main planes and tailplanes, ready to accept the flying wires, bracing wires and control wires and horns, which will be fitted at a later stage. The joints have yet to be filled and blended into the fuselage.
PIC 8. How the model looks to date.
Next step is to tackle the upper wing, inter-plane struts and cabane struts, before adding the small details to the top cowling, then starting the paint preparation.
Thanks again for your interest and kind comments, and I'll post more soon