It's getting closer

It is getting closer. I finally ran into the BIG MISTAKE (I always have at least one) and had to pull a Sgt. Gunny Highway, “Improvise, adapt, and overcome”. There were only 6 decals to put on at this point. I found out that I screwed up the area where the insignia goes on the fuselage. For some reason I didn’t measure the decal before I painted the white area, instead I used some reference photos and thought I had it right. The Cutting Edge decal was way too big and I no way to fix it. Repainting the white area would mess up the unit numbers, so I am stuck with it. So, I went thru my 1/48 WWI kits and found the biggest decal. It is not historically accurate but close enough for my taste. I guess that is how you learn.

After I put a coat of future over the decals and a coat of Testor’s Semi-gloss, I glued the guns on. Then I painted the tailskid and exhaust.

I ran the rigging through the holes in the axle wing and the top wing then taped them down so it wouldn’t be in my way.

Next I installed the axle wing and the top wing. They are somewhat fiddly but nowhere near as bad most WWI kits. Remember to test fit; I had to shave down most the connecters to get them to fit. I rarely use Super Glue (too brittle for my taste). I usually use Tamiya Extra Thin Cement; a drop or two around the connections usually holds it in place. In addition, Cement allows you adjust as the glue dries; Super Glues dries way too fast.

I am in the home stretch - only two weeks until the Model Show.