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Glad to see this one underway, but this is the first I heard of that cockpit bulkhead inaccuracy. 
I wonder how many OTHER surprises the kit has.
Hey Brian,
Thanks for stopping by. Your B-17F build just got my modeling mojo flowing to see if I could actually do some scratch building, and some serious kit enhancing. So this build is dedicated to you my friend 
No way will it ever approach the level you're building at. It's not intended to be in that class. But since the PV-1 is another one of those aircraft that have grabbed my attention, I thought I'd go a little further with this build then I usually do.
As far as the cockpit bulkhead goes, it's a real crap shoot. Some builds have them opened up, and some don't. Shamefully, I opted for the opening it up so that I could add the basics of the Radio/Navigator compartment.
The Radio/Navigator compartment is just there for added interest, and will have just enough detail to fools ones eye. I can't see going further then that as no one will ever see those added details. Past that rear bulkhead is just a void of emptiness.
There are all sorts of issues with this kit. The wrong shaped nose as Michael has pointed out. The engine
crankcases are too short, the cowls are to short and shaped incorrectly because of that, the props blades are wrong, and a few other things. Everything can and is going to be corrected with AM parts. Rather then just crankcases, I went with two new engines that will be detailed
Joel
Thanks as always for the "props" (as the kids say) Joel.
At least there are many aftermarket sets for this ones. Is there a comprehensive review that points out everything wrong? It does seem to be a kit that has attracted a huge AM cottage industry.
You have been admirably prolific of late. I am very impressed by both volume and quality of your output!
Brian,
Unfortunately, no there isn't a definitive review, with all the proper ad ons. What I usually do, as in this case is Google reviews, builds, AM parts, and related online articles. I read all of them, but only keep the links to ones that makes sense, and to some degree correlate to other reviews/builds. Any and all photos, references, and links, I checkout and keep the relative ones.
The cockpit bulkhead opening is one of those so so, could be with numerous modifications. Like I said, I used the increased opening even though I used the smallest enlargement that I found, to allow better visual access to the Radio/Navigator compartment.
While I'm going to be detailing the cockpit with the Eduard cockpit set for the IP and a few other tidpits, my main focus will be as a display model resting on a mirror.
As for your 'You have been admirably prolific of late. I am very impressed by both volume and quality of your output!" 1st, thanks for the being impressed with both my volumne of work, and it's relative quality. Coming from you, it always means quite a lot to me. The answer lies in 1st my semi retirement from work. I now only work 4 days per week. The 2nd major change is that with a restructuring at CVS, since I'm a co-manager of a large 24 hr store, I work 3 of those shifts from 10pm till 6:30am. And as my wife is so fond of saying, it's like having me home 6 days per week. I only average 3 hrs of sleep after those overnights, so I have plenty of time to model.
Yeah, I have my still ever growing Honey to do List, and next week I have to paint the master bedroom ( no mean feat as it has a 10 ft rolled ceiling for starters. I haven't mowed a lawn in 27 years since my heart attacks, so there is a small positive side from having one. Of course the main trick is surviving the Big One, which I did because my neighbor is the Fire Chief. Still it was 6 weeks in the hospital with the 1st 2 wks just fighting to stay alive.
These days I don't much fish anymore, nor hack my way around a golf course, so I have even more time. Right now my mojo levels are sky high, but who knows when that will change once again.
Joel
