Russian Pe-3 Bis, Russia's first use of radar for a night fighter

[tigerdriver]

nice legs, lets hope the finger is soon the same

 

[Night Fighter Nut]

The finger is not as bad as it seems. Some blackness around the nail. Thanks guys for the encouragement. I can use my finger again, of course if I was to show my finger someone might think I was giving the bird.

 

[Wayne Little]

not bad at all...keep that finger secure...

 

[Night Fighter Nut]

Ok, I've been able to get more work done. Mostly worked to finish up the interior, front part, and some mod cables for the radar setup. Nothing to go by, just winging it here. Did start working on the rear gun and finding more fit issues between the glass and the platform. I'll have some pictures of this later. For now here is what I have. Thanks guys.

 

[Wurger]

 

[Wayne Little]

Good stuff!

 

[Gnomey]

Looks good so far!

 

[Night Fighter Nut]

Ok, me and the boys are back at work on the plane. Oddly enough the model's directions state putting in the rear facing gun and putting the canopy over it with the window part covering the gun. Unfortunately it doesn't work that way. The rear window has to be cut out first before the gun could sit properly. Of course the other way is to have the gun sit in a lower position, like a storage position. Then the glass would be able to sit properly without being cut. Lots of choices, but which is right? Anyway, here are the latest photos with help from the desktop boys. Pictures are not quite in order but I've attached the lower glass and am test fitting the canopy. Trying to decide which will work best.

 

[Lucky13]

Nice work mate! Sorry to hear about your finger....

 

[Gnomey]

Nice work so far!

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Nice detailing and obviously a great team effort………..

 

[Night Fighter Nut]

Ok, me and the lads have figured out what we will do with the gun and glass. Based off of photos I've seen and what I have available, we have decided to cut out the back part of the window to mount the gun. Of course the plastic for the glass is very thin and easily damaged, so I put tape along the area I planned to cut and sharpened up my blade. Very tedious cutting. The rest was easy. Once that was done, I did some painting to find all scratches and lumps and to pre-shade my panel lines. A couple of added Russian characters... extra points if you know who they are. ... came by to paint the plane and inspect it to make sure its done right. Kid stopped by to see what his dad was up to. Hope you enjoy.

 

[Gnomey]

Nice work so far!

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Some lovely work there Bill and I keep wondering when Papa Smurf will be popping in!!

 

[Night Fighter Nut]

Currently filling in those nasty scratches around the gun position. Should be nice and smooth for our next photo shoot. Thanks guys for all the kind comments. Thanks also for being patient with me as I slog through this. This is definitely not an easy kit. I believe I will do a P-61 next with a little twist. I'll show how those spoilerons were used.

 

[Wurger]

Looking good. Keep working.

 

[Wayne Little]

Doin' good mate!

 

[vikingBerserker]

Very nice!

 

[Night Fighter Nut]

Got some more work done over the weekend. Fixed up those cut marks around the gunners position and added a couple of intake scoops. There was one other intake that I drilled out. After attaching the canopy, I masked it up and covered the gunners position with cardboard and tissue. Now the bottom is sprayed and was also able to build one of the propeller assemblies. Hope it looks ok, I'm still new with a paint brush.

 

[tigerdriver]

good stuff from you and the lads