WIP Phly-out Hopsten

The first parts are snipped off! Generally the fit looks to be good. 

As I plan to build this bird in flight, the landing gear covers are to be closed. From what I can see they should fit without issues. 

So, as the plane is flying in absolute plain configuration all pylon holes are going to be plugged. Also, the center empty hardpoint is in the middle of the squadron emblem. The Meng kit is frustratingly bland here, so I used Blue Stuff to copy the Academy hardpoint. I filled the ‘mold’ with AK Black CA and want to figure out how sturdy it is. 

I used Sprue Goo on these ‘copies’, but they are quite brittle. 

I sanded one down wafer thin and have to trim the remaining ‘flash’ now. 

Oh yessss! Found some bench time and closed all landing gear doors. Now let it sit without handling to have it all set up properly. 

The nose landing gear doors were a loose fit so I added some plastic card braces. 

Duke Hawkins to the rescue: the starboard side doesn’t have this inspection hatch so I covered it by black CA. 

For some reason Meng molded the RWR in the direction of flight… 

… they should be at an angle though. 

I chucked a piece of brass into my Dremel to graft a fuel connector for the central pylon. 

Should look something like this when glued on. 

As I can’t seem to find time for the main build, I ventured out into a side quest for the right colors. I cobbled together an old tool 1/72 Hasegawa Spook and tried the paints and masks. 

Next up Syh@rt 72-088 decals the see if the blue isn’t too purple for my liking