Italeri BT-5

Whilst waiting for the filler to set on the Siskin, I thought I'd make a start on this BT-5 and make up the hull. Good start. The first two parts need clamping to get them to fit. I can see this is going to be one of THOSE kits. 

There seems to be some damage to the hull bottom. It looks like something has been spilled on it which has affected the plastic. Hopefully a dab of Mr Surfacer will sort it. 

Plenty of filler needed on this one. Seems to be the story of my life at the moment. 

For some reason, the manufacturer has decided to put all the EP marks on the outside face of the hull top. The face that has the textured finish. 

Here, they've placed the part number tab right on top og the part! Some carving required. 

I assembled the turret halves and tried a test fit on the hull. The fit was so tight that it wouldn't turn at all. I've had to thin down both the tabs on the turret ring and scrape the underside of the hull top a bit thinner. No doubt I'll need to do this again once I get some paint on it! And yes, the hull top snapped at the thinnest point. 

Test fitting the hull top and front. I had to do some work to get the top to sit low enough. I can't progress much further until I've got the Aber PE set.