SPA Modeler

Finally got some work to show on this one. I had done some cockpit work before I started cancer treatment in March, and had gotten up to needing to add seat belts. I had to be away from home during much of the treatments, and then the side effects and need for caution about infections due to my immune system being compromised (the treatment is a form of transplant) made it so no modeling was possible. I still have to be careful but I am cleared back to the bench now. Unfortunately one of the side effects is that the tremor I have always had was made much worse. Putting together the HGW seatbelts was a 5 or 6 hour challenge but last week I got them done and installed. The interior parts are together and closed up in the fuselage. Don't know why but there are areas where I just couldn't get things to fall in to place without some gaps, but nothing too bad. Still, disappointing, and I don't thing it is all my errors. The way the exhausts and shrouds are engineered causes some complications as they have to be installed from the inside. I painted and assembled the exhaust parts, and painted the fuselage area around the exhausts the British Dark Green that the topsides are in for the scheme I am doing. Then I installed the exhausts from the inside. I will mask that area off before doing the rest of the topside painting.

That looks really good Jon despite the challenges. It’s really good to hear from you and see you back at the bench!

Looking good so far!

Good to see you back at the bench John. I hope all is going well with your treatment.

That's looking excellent - top job on the cockpit and the belts look great.

Great to see you back in business John!

Interesting build, I have also this kit waiting to be taken on the bench.

The instrument panel you use, is that Eduards or Yahus ?


- Kari

Great to see you back on the bench after the challenges you’ve even handed with. The seatbelts and the office looks great! You’re doing well in this build.

Welcome back to the bench, John! It's good to see you back and building/posting, and here's wishing for continued success with your recovery. That's good progress on the Pony!

that is looking super, in spite of the challenges. Way to go!

You do amazing things.

Very nice!!

I was really disappointed in how this one was turning out. I could deal with the gaps on the fuselage seams and the wing fit, but there is no way to disguise the fit of the windscreen which only fits if the fuselage is closed up properly in that area. I bought this kit when it was first released and it was only $30 or so, but now they are twice that. However, I was able to buy an open box kit for $30 missing decals and clear parts which of course I already have. So now I need to break apart the fuselage without damaging the cockpit module. I think by sanding down the internals I can get the new fuselage parts to close up. Since I have a nice tight fit on the front fuselage bulkhead I am pretty sure the cockpit module, which includes the bulkhead, is just too big in both vertical and horizontal dimensions. There is also something wrong in the area of the tailwheel.