SPA Modeler

Thomas_M wrote:Have the same good kit in my pile. Watching with interest!

Good little kit Thomas - fairly basic of course, but the shapes seem right (the rear fuselage is perhaps a little flat on the bottom?) and it build easily. That Aires cockpit set also fits in perfectly, if you happen to have that in hand as well.

Internal fiddlybits gathered up. Gave the cockpit a little more weathering/dust before tucking it into the fuselage, but:



~BAMM!!!~



Took me an inordinate amount of time to get alignments confirmed & commit to the superglue, but, happy with the final result. (Revi gunsight not in place yet, obviously.)



Glad I put the work into it - in 1/48 that cockpit set is visible.



Guns not quite done, was more concerned with alignments at the time. Now in place & set up, need to add a little more CA or putty, smooth out that shape around the barrel before priming.



Dry-fit...



[hmm]

Digging the shade...those barrels you replaced on the pods look too big though...more like 30mm Cannon than 20mm...

Manny1943 wrote:Digging the shade...those barrels you replaced on the pods look too big though...more like 30mm Cannon than 20mm...

True it was a compromise, but, I preferred the actual "open' look to the stick that Hobbycraft provided. I'm calling in "an un-circumsized 20mm cannon".

Worth noting, I deviated a little from the instructions here. Aries indicated to remove all the sidewall detail, leave the "cockpit mounting tabs" in place, then either assemble the 3 parts to each other and add the whole unit, or add the 3 pieces individually and then close up the fuselage halves.

That just sounded like fit issues waiting to happen, so I removed ALL the bits, closed up the fuselage & did my cleanup. This allowed me to dry-fit everything one item at a time after installing the instrument panel, THEN attach the sidewall detail before dropping the floor & seat from below.

Inspection time - paint shade is approved by Agent 003.



The tail area got another light coat last night, a couple of touchups at the leading edge wingroots too. Landing gear tires were hit with another darker coat of "rubber", much better now. Cannon gondolas were also painted, think they need a little touchup at the cannon barrel though. Propeller painted, hub is primed & ready for some red tonight.

Our "Agent" is taking a nap this afternoon, so he cannot look after my bench, hehe...

VanceCrozier wrote:Inspection time - paint shade is approved by Agent 003.



The tail area got another light coat last night, a couple of touchups at the leading edge wingroots too. Landing gear tires were hit with another darker coat of "rubber", much better now. Cannon gondolas were also painted, think they need a little touchup at the cannon barrel though. Propeller painted, hub is primed & ready for some red tonight.

Approved??? The cat is looking at the bowl of Lobster Chowder you cropped outta the pic, not the 109!!!

Nice work so far, especially the pit.

Oh, and for future reference, check out the True Details 109 cockpits. They are beautifully detailed and about half the price of those Aires sets...