Well, here I go with another update.
I have reached stage 38 (I do have got further in bits and bats, but they are waiting to be put on and painted). This marks the end of the cockpit and frame build.
During these stages I have noted that it is better to put some parts in earlier than in the instructions mainly for ease of access. Also when putting dials etc onto the instrument panel It would make things lots easier to actually put the dials on to the clear part (painting it black first. No point in messing with it as it is all going to be covered over!) before putting that into the instrument panel front. I am saying this because the dials etc are actually a fraction bigger than the place where they should fit and doing it as just described will save a lot of time, fix the dials in place and give builders chance to do the old drop of Klear to represent glass trick. In actual fact, the instrument panel stage just shows the parts going together. You have to hunt for the decal placement which is amongst the painting section at the back of the book.
From cockpit reference photos I have seen there seems to be quite a bit of equipment missing in the kit. It's no real drawback, but chance for an AM company to jump in and provide what is missing, such as the RP (rocket projectile) control/selector panel etc.
I am not sure what package Airscale are planning to produce for this, I have yet to hear from them, although I have registered with them for their Tiffy package, but with luck it should add much comprehensive detail to an already fantastic OOB cockpit.
Now, the photos are not up to my usual standard as I am having to use my 70-300mm landscape lens and can't really get wide angle close ups that I usually do until the insurance get's its act together!
I apologise for this and will try and get some decent cockpit pics later in the build once that has all been sorted. There is some paint patching to be done and the kit seat harness has not been put on as I am looking at an alternative. This can be put in at any time during the build!




Lots of people on the net have seen an unpainted built version of this, but adding paint and colour certainly gives this section a whole new look and dimension!
James
Partwork Building is like meeting enemy action - no plan survives first contact!!