Winnbowman

Wings on, flaps, slats and radiators next.

Cockpit installed and fuselage closed up.

I was trying to go OOB. BUT I think I may use after market decals.

I started assembling the interior. I used the seat belt decals, they sorta look OK but after they dried I noticed the carrier film around them showed up. I went to a build on You Tube of this kit and the modeler said the newer decals by Eduard are not as good as their previous older ones. Soooooo I am now pondering replacing the kit decals as I don't want to do a decent build then ruin it with not so good decals.

I am building this OOB no PE or aftermarket using whats in the kit only. It is moving along fast so it shouldn't interfere with my 2 other current builds. Here is where I am at with it so far.

Thanks, I am replacing the 1/48 A6M5c Tamiya kit with the more detailed Hasegawa 1/48 A6M5c Hei that arrived in the mail today. I won't start it until the A6M2b is done.

Stabilizers on, starting to look like an aeroplane, sorta.

And your point is? ALL Panthers reguardless had the coil spring on the left side, that's all I was getting at.

Wings glued on, horizontal stabilizers next.

It's a nice kit but has a few boo boos. On the nose landing gear there is a "coil spring" that is on the left side when viewed from the front. All Trumpeter and Hobbyboss kits have it on the right side. Also check your references for the blow in doors on the rear upper fuselage, I believe they are the wrong shape. Other than that it is a nice kit.

I have the cockpit in with Eduard belts, the engine installed and fuselage attached to the wings. I had to use a piece of sprue as a spreader to push the fuselage sides out and close the wing root gap. I still have a slight gap on either side.

I would like to do the 1/72 Academy Pacific Theater B-17E with a remote lower turret. Is there any made by an after market company? My father trained on B-17s in California before being shipped out to Guam then Okinawa in 1944.

The wheel well area was sprayed white then the wings assembled.

Engine done, waiting for PE seat belts to finish up cockpit.

Welcome! My grandmothers family is from Baden, any where near there? My dad was USAAF WWII in Guam and Okinawa and my son was XVIII Airborne Blue Dragons. Looking forward to seeing some armour!