Well, I have a little update on this Russian project. Yesterday, I attached the wings to the Trumpeter MiG-3 and as expected, am left with a lot of gap filling to do. The Hobbycraft La-7 is pretty much ready for some primer, I guess; I suspect that some paint will reveal a few problem areas on that one too. I'll try to get some pics of the La-7 with its flying surfaces attached, but for now, the MiG has my attention and it's for that troublesome build that I need some advice and guidance.
There are nine (
9!
) pieces that make up the forward fuselage and getting them all flying in formation together has been a struggle. I really like how the fuselage top is handled; a one-piece "cap" eliminates that pesky top seam there, but there my admiration ends. It was kinda like herding cats to get everything in place!
But it's the wing root area that's going to need the most work. I had a large gap on both sides. I believe I've uncovered the culprit too. The cockpit tub has four large tabs that insert into recesses in the inner fuselage sides. I think I may have pushed those tabs in a fraction too much, resulting in a narrowing of the lower fuselage and the excessive wing root gap. I had to shim several areas (and probably not enough of
that!) just to close it as you see here.
blurry photo warning:
The port side was not quite as bad:
Starboard:
The worst fit offenders were the wingroot intake parts; each one has to mate with three different surfaces. The SB turned out somewhat better here; it was in line with the fuselage but had a huge gap, seen here:
However, the port part hung down a few degrees, leaving a large gap between it and the fuselage side. I was able to hold the SB side tight and glue it in place. I had to resort to adding a small shim (stretched sprue) to the top edge of the root intake part and it still leaves a gap there. Here, you can see how both root intakes mate to another part of the lower fuselage.
A much better fit on the SB side for that part:
After getting the wing to fuselage nexus as close as I could, I glued her up! Now, the real fun begins, eh? I'm wondering just what method to use on those wing to root areas; I could fill them with Mr. Surfacer or perhaps John Kim's black CA and debonder technique? What are your suggestions to minimize detail damage and get a nice join there?
This is the best I could achieve with the port wing root intake part. I thinned the plastic on both surfaces, but I still have a gap where it meets the lower port fuselage.
What to do about that gap?
I can sure leave it as is and call it a "sprung" engine panel on an aircraft that's soldiering on. Or, perhaps heat that area enough with a hair dryer to soften the plastic and nudge the gap closer.
That seems a bit hazardous to me. I've even considered making a "field expedient" fairing from furnace tape to replicate an inservice repair to close that gap. What do you folks think would work best here?
I'd sure appreciate any advice or suggestions! Both planes are not too far from paint and I'm anxious to move them along. Thanks for checking in and please share your suggestions!
) pieces that make up the forward fuselage and getting them all flying in formation together has been a struggle. I really like how the fuselage top is handled; a one-piece "cap" eliminates that pesky top seam there, but there my admiration ends. It was kinda like herding cats to get everything in place! 
And I may sure take your advice; the Bondo has saved my butt before! 
