Guys
Its the end of the road. I'd been storing the model on a shelf next to some curtains, and my wife accidentally caught the model on the curtains yesterday morning. Looks like the model took a 6 foot tumble hitting the bedside table on its way down to the floor.
wrecked.
The model is completely beyond repair and 18 months of work have amounted to nothing, I don't blame my wife, it was an accident and she is mortified , I'm at a point now where I don't want to continue the hobby, so this afternoon I've packed everything model related away as I don't have the time, space or motivation for the hobby any longer.
Thankyou to everyone who helped me along with the project along with the encouraging comments - I'm truly sorry it has come to nothing.
Take care all.
John