Tentative steps into the world of 1:48...

Engine started, and already finding that adjustments have to be made, to mate square pegs into round holes.  

A little progress. 

No, I am not going to add pipework! 

Here we go, holding my breath.... 

First pieces installed, but should have left room for the front bulkhead. Eduard diagrams followed too diligently. So, two parts to be moved, repaired and reinstalled.  

First coats of paint over the more robust PE items. 

So, do I prefer the well-detailed kit part... 

or the PE dashboards and paper gauges? I will sleep on it... ? 

The more fragile PE installed and painted. Dry-brushed the walls first. Replacement seat folded into shape too.  

Engine installed into its frame. The firewall holes needed to be drilled to correct size.  

Another couple of items installed and painted. Lots of licence being taken with colours, just so I can see things stand out a little. The instructions call up just green or black!  

Remainder of the framing added. 

All very neat, but enclosing it all in the fuselage is going to be a challenge.... 

Two PE parts re- positioned, so now the front wall of the cockpit fits correctly. 

Cockpit 9/10ths assembled. Pedals to paint, but will leave the gun sight off for the moment. 

Tiny lever to add, plus last of the PE to paint. 

Hmm.... that doesn't look right.... 

Ok, so what have I done wrong?  

So, 2mm removed all around the bulkhead and upper tubing frames removed. I have also thinned the top cover that will hide the engine...and still it won't close up fully. I will have to perform more surgery to the top of the engine ☹️ 

Coming together... 

Ready for closing up. 

Some fettling required to achieve an optimum fit, but still some significant gaps to fill. 

Didn't quite get the joins as neat as they could be, so a little tidy up required. 

First fill looks okay, so next areas need to be filled... 

Huge gap next. 

Def getting there, so will sand down tomorrow. 

Next steps, so minor adjustments, glued parts, and now tidying up the joint lines. 

More fettling to fit the engine cowl to the wing recesses. Only minor filling required. 

Painted the grills silver, then a black wash. May add a little more, before the enclosing scoops are added. Last chance to try to make plastic look like grills ? 

Joint filler rubbed down and looking acceptable. 

I had two like this, but somehow dislodged the small PE part. So.... 

So now it's looking a little empty. 

So, I am trying to make a replacement!  

Hmm... Good enough? 

Not bad for a first attempt ? Cut, file, and fit next. 

Hmmm...not quite perfect, so may come back to this later.  

That's better - which is the original? ? 

Ready for primer. 

Shaker can in the garden did the business. 

Almost no sign of the filled joints. 

Better on the top side. 

Flaw filled, again.  

Filled joint 'lost' so panel line reinstated. 

Next steps... 

Kit came with replacement canopy, so need to learn how to cut and fit flimsy one-piece, but may use the original 3-part open canopy. Fingers crossed they fit to the fuselage neatly. 

Trying paper cut-outs for the main pattern.  

Should have left the cannons off, as one took a hit... 

Let's see how this turns out.  

Turned out fine, phew! 

I need to touch up the exhausts, as the tape has taken off some paint.  

I have used Ocean Grey as the primer to the underside, as well as final colour on the upper surfaces. I have to order the correct Medium Sea Grey and pause til I can paint the underside. 

This is what I was aiming for, but..... 

but this is as good as I managed to achieve. Hmmm... will consider what is best to do (though I know the right answer...) 

Masking for the identification stripes on the curved wing leading edges. 

Reduced 10mm tape into two halves, and eye-balled in an even width. 

Coat of white, then two of yellow, but masked over the white for the red cloth patches. 

And there we are. 

Trial fit of prop and standing on undercarriage. She's coming together. 

That iconic shape ... 

Rear fuselage stripe next, matching the spinner. Then decide about the D-day stripes. Used very fine sanding stick to take away the steps, where yellow paint is relatively thick, and so all is smooth. Great tip picked up from someone's advice on their album - many thanks!  

Decals for wing lines done first. Cut into two halves, so as to more manageable. Can't see the join, so good strategy! Roundels will be last of all, when everything else is dry. 

Decals started, for port side first, plus fuel filler stencil. 

Decals all added, washed and glossed. Prop and undercarriage dry fitted for now. Still to add antenna and pitot, and small clear parts for lights. I couldn't bring myself to butcher the top of the engine, so have left the cover off. 

I'm very pleased with what I managed to achieve. Always room for improvement, but better than previous efforts. The canopy doesn't fit neatly to the body, so that is the next skill to work on! 

The very last decal was reluctant to slide off the backing paper, and I was too impatient... I managed so rip it into 3 ragged pieces! Deep breath and didn't panic, and managed to salvage the situation. One tiny touch up with blue should be fine. Phew!  

Final pieces added, so now she is 'finished'. 

Couldn't bring myself to modify the top of the engine, so left exposed. 

When I have some of the correct blue, I will touch up the small tear on the roundel decal. Until then, it's a reminder to be more careful next time.