SPA Modeler

That new cockpit is a definite improvement over the original Bruce - it'll look good under some paint!

Thanks for your reply, Stuart! I still have to fit the pilot figure into the cockpit, which I am curious about. I wonder if fitting him will be easy or not? I had to make height adjustments both for the seat, which on the original is fitted into a slight trench below the decking line, and the fuel tanks, which sit on a platform. Plus, I still have to wire up the battery and radio... or at least fit whatever wiring first then attach it later. After that I have side details to determine, as well.

Last night I saw on eBay an entire resin cockpit made for this kit and was kind of feeling bummed that I did not see this beforehand. It has the sidewalls, too. I knew this kit was used by a lot of model makers as a “platform” before Tamiya and Z-M releases appeared on the scene, so a corresponding amount of aftermarket should be available.

I have to console myself with the knowledge my original original idea was to buy this chopped and puttied bird to make a mule for natural metal finishes!

It was this one, but yes indeed Verlinden I have seen as well. Thank you, Carlos!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GMAD3201-1-32- ... rk:25:pf:0

Man that's a toughy on that decision right there. Both of 'em seem to have great parts in them but looks like the Verlinden set might have the edge here. Both are the same price so that part of the elimination is out. I think I'd be going with the Verlinden set myself.

I agree, Joe. Happy Hump Day. I want to stay with what I have until the figure arrives and then I will add him into the mix. The other reality is the closed cockpit. I was thinking about using a little magnet to hold the canopy in place, but mainly with the high sidewall comes low visibility, so maybe I won’t have to go with another version. My worry about adding sidewall thicknesses would be to make the cockpit too narrow for the figure. I could sand down the fuselage, and I might have to do so anyway just to get the figure in there!

ZCG

Celebrating 9.1K in views—! Wow! The reason I nixed Verlinden was their rear platform design which is directly based on the shelf approach of the original kit (top). I like showing the fuel tanks (bottom):

speedgraflex wrote:Celebrating 9.1K in views—! Wow!

Wow !

- Kari

At least it’s not boring (I hope)! Thank you for following, your support and suggestions of which many I have followed, Kari! Cheers!