Robert Stuart

And painting has started. I think the difference in whites is visible here; primer white together with Insignia White undersides. We'll give another shot of Insignia White before moving on to the blues. From the photo, you can tell I'm not using the wing folds; I wasn't happy with my first cuts, and decided to build the wings straight.

The cockpit and wheel bay have been assembled, and attached to the starboard side of the fuselage. These 3d printed Quinta Studios 'pits make the assembly and decoration much easier. I did have a, self-inflicted, problem with the supercharger (I think), at the lower front. The pipes are handed, and I got those on the wrong sides, effectively upside down where they would have been under the lower cowl. Disassembling those from the strut work was a worrying phase. The engine is also painted:

The kit sprues can be seen in a few reviews, or on Eduard's own site: https://www.eduard.com/eduard/plastic-kits/limited-edition/aircraft/1-48/wilder-cat-1-48.html Most likely, my choice will be a Wildcat from VC-14, USS Hogatt Bay, November 1944; this unit flew anti-submarine patrols during the Philippines campaign. And, I believe the build has started? Anyway, I've made a start: This includes glued components from the cockpit (examples, bottom left of the photo), and a lot of stuff painted on the sprue.

Painting has started, with a white priming coat, with the sky bands roughed out (and, since I had it in my paint cup, some base layer mottling in sky). Spitfire Mk V This will be Paddy Finucane's machine, which will use kit decals. I've run a quick test for Eduard's suggested Dark Slate Grey and Extra Dark Sea Grey, to see which I want to apply first: Also started are the Mk IX and the clipped wing Mk XVI These two have the sides sprayed Sky too: This is in preparation for masking their codes, since these will be bespoke. Note, for the two later Spitfires, the engine cowl tops are attached with white tack. (I'm waiting for permission from the doctor to lift any weights, including my Cricut, so progress with these may be a little slower than the Mk V.)

A few extras arrived today, a wing fold by Eduard and Quinta Studios cockpit: I'm thinking whether to use one, two, or no wing folds. Since the Wildcat wings were folded by hand, any of the choices could work.

My glue arrived yesterday, so I've attached the wings and tail fins. We are, nearly, ready for painting. The upper cowls have been left off the Mks IX and XVI models. The engine (?) and exhausts for these will be sandwiched between the cowl tops and sides, and I feel I can avoid a bit of masking by finishing those after painting. This isn't an option for the Mk V kit. The chins can also be left off at this stage, again to simplify masking.

May I join in? This happened to land on my porch today Eduard's FM-2 Wilder Cat - the General Motors version of the Grumman F4F Wildcat. My build will likely be OOB, though I have some paint and AM stuff on order. There are 10 schemes in the box; nine US options, and one in FAA colours. Of the USN schemes, 3 are three-colour schemes, 3 are all blue, and 2 are grey-white; all are attractive.

OK, I've ordered some Extra Thin from one of the online stores (together with a kit that might suit the Felines GB).

Thanks Col. Iwas unaware that Extra Thin was difficult to get, butcwill try my airbrush cleaner, but hadn't noticed any glue like smell (I have some AK cleaner). Tamiya X20 I've tried, but that did nothing as a glue.

Thank-you guys. We have more progress to report; the cockpits are complete (bar gun sights), and all three fuselages have been closed. The 'pits are pretty similar. The Finucane's Mk V has an extra lever (radiator flaps?), and I gave him a flare rack. The rack was supplied as PE (plastic is an option). This worked surprisingly well Eduard have given more space for the joystick in the early marks, which looks better and more practical. My next problem? I'm running out of Tamiya Extra Thin. This was one of the items I was looking for when I fell. It was Out-Of-Stock at my LMS then, and is still OOS now. I did get some tube cement, but these kits deserve better.

I've been a bit quiet lately, for obvious reasons. I have another three weeks in a sling (at least), but have made a little work on the cockpits. The Mk IX (LO-A) is most advanced. The Quinta 'pits make a huge difference here, I'd never be so advanced without those decals(?). The other two Spitfires are making progress, but nowhere near as advanced as the Mk IX above. p.s. The cockpit green is a lot better IRL than it appears in the photos, more like the detail colour on the throttle.

Thank you again. Light parts, with delicate manipulation? That sounds like light exercise to me. My fingers are still swollen ATM, but once that has eased, I dont see why not.

Thanks guys. I spent last-night in hospital, they put a plate on my elbow in the afternoon, but the anaesthetic didn't wear off soon enough for me to come home the same day. I'm home now. No plaster cast but bandages and a sling. I have to do light exercises with the arm, but no heavy lifting for a while.

Thank-you James @81-er, @Col. I have an opp tomorrow, to stick the elbow back. Hope that I'll be allowed the flexibility to continue building after that? My current, heavy, plaster limits motion, but modelling would be a good exercise to keep fingers mobile.

Thank-you @2996 Victor, @Dave Fleming