Watch out for any ledges the bottom of the cockpit part might be required to sit on. You may wish to cut them out before closing up the fuselage just to avoid any future difficulties. Of course if there aren't any then this is a needless worry

John, I like your paint scheme.

Moving forward on the cockpit. Again, since the aftermarket interior kit didn't have instructions I spent the past few evenings test fitting parts and decided to incorporate some of the kit bits to support the resin details. Working on the gun deck/ instrument panel. Hoefully, I'll have enough of the fit logistics dialed in to begin painting over the next few nights.



Cheers,
Fred

Hello:

Here We are, It' was a busy week... But, finally I've got something on the bench...

I copy an small profile with the contour gauge, and make a master of balsa hardened with epoxy puty and Cyano... (Chock's technic)



After that, I cut the Fluor of the model, and left only the walk ways, reprodusing the wing rear structure; wich is visible...



After that, some test-fit... (like always)





An the last for today, some strip work...





Some extras are still needed... But, it's nice to work with kit like this...

I hope you like it...!!!

Thanks...

Diego

Excellent craftsmanship, Diego. Could you tell me a little about your Vacuum former? I've been considering purchasing one and am curious as to any suggestions others may have.

Cheers,
Fred

Here's my progress so far :







Still to come, canopy, cannon etc..

Diego, excellent photo essay on your detailing and great attention to detail.

John, wonderful progress, I believe that you will be the first to complete your build for this campaign. Did you spray or brush the green pattern?

@Frederick

Great job on that cockpit !

@Diego

Wonderful work ! Keep it coming !

@Brent

Thanks !
It was done with a fine brush.
I'm not sure about being the first I usually take ages to mask & work the canopy.. Let's see how it works out.

Unable to leave well enough alone I decided to liven up the cowling a bit by opening up the cooling flaps. After thinning the walls of the cowl I cut out the molded flaps and fabricated new ones from .040" sheet brass.



I think I'll withhold judgement as to whether I think it adds to the model 'til I've started painting it. Right now I think the jury is out but I'm hopeful the visual effect will be worth it.
Cheers,
Fred

OK, we're on to cowling 2.0
The brass stock was more to scale but the contour of the cooling flaps was not convincing and looked all together "janky" once I primed it.

Went back to trusty evergreen sheet. It was easier to shape and takes glue in a way I can have a more solid bond. Should be more durable when I get to the painting stage and, to my eyes, looks more convincing now.



Cheers,
Fred

Getting some more paint down on the FW. The engine suitably grimed up. It's going to be pretty much invisible, so any wash needs to be very overstated or I might as well not bother

And RLM 65 pretty much everywhere

[quote]OK, we're on to cowling 2.0
The brass stock was more to scale but the contour of the cooling flaps was not convincing and looked all together "janky" once I primed it.

Went back to trusty evergreen sheet. It was easier to shape and takes glue in a way I can have a more solid bond. Should be more durable when I get to the painting stage and, to my eyes, looks more convincing now.

Fred,
I agree with you on V2. Much better control with plastic strip.
Brent

Internal canopy frames done

And my entry is...The Hasegawa 1/72 F-104G for the TuAF in SEA camo.

Jessie great progress, looking forward to seeing the FW in Turkish markings. Do I see a horsey and man in a hat on your work bench?

Robert welcome to the club; nice to see a Star-fighter in the mix.

The horsey is for the Airfix II campaign. There's a man in a hat to go on him, but he's not in that shot.

Some camouflage. The RLM 71 is on, and next to do is touching up the RLM 02.

Jess

Newby question.

What is the play-doh like material that your using to mask?

It's a generic version of blu tack poster adhesive. Its advantages are that it's removable, self-adhesive, easily manipulated into shape and generally doesn't leave any residue on the model after you pull it off.

The camouflage is done. It's my first attempt at mottling, so be gentle.

Thanks Jess

I like the soft line it leaves vs. tape

Now the decals. The Turkish markings of the era were extremely simple; only 6 to apply (but even so I managed to ruin two. Luckily there are plenty of extras on the sheet)

Very nice mottling effect. Did you do your red over white on the tail?

Yes. There is still some visible on the left side that I need to cover up. A white undercoat is really the only way that a nice deep red can be achieved.