Basic structure for the internal section of fuselage visible when wings are retracted has been done.
Wings now added to fuselage and copious filler applied at wing roots and under at win LE/fuselage joint. Having done some experimenting with the fit of the observer's transparency, I decided to cut it over-length and cut out extra sections of the fuselage fore and aft of the canopy. This facilitated easy joint filling away from the transparency. Fortunately PP obliged by moulding quite lengthy extensions of fuselage shape fore and aft of the transparent section of the canopy.
Extra structural and plumbing detail has now been added with the wing centre section in situ in the fuselage.
Undercarriage, tail bumper, tailplane, and catapult hooks have all now been fitted. I don't normally fit the U/C at this stage but, as this one is all metal and quite strong, fitting it now will negate the need to make a jury U/C to support the model when painting.
I also finished detailing the cockpits, particularly the observer/tow operator's position. The 'shelf' was added and tow operator's control panel fitted. The observer's seat, headrest and straps have been added, lap straps on seat, shoulder straps on rear bulkhead. Two tow-target canisters have been added as well as power supply, radio, controller etc on the aft shelf and, fire extinguisher forward. The HF radio equipment was deleted on this aircraft, the VHF and DF equipment being retained. Not easy trying to photograph a black, (actually very dark grey in this case), painted cockpit.
Locating pins have been added to the rudder and elevators and test fitted. Looks OK. I have also fitted the exhaust flame deflectors above the exhausts. A bit tricky as trying to fit a flat surface on to a curved surface but, with a bit of cursing, got them to fit OK. Starting to look like a Firefly now.
Time for the SWIFU coat of paint. Model masked and fingers crossed.
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