Well, it's been a few days so time for a little update. The instructions on this one have you start with the undercarriage, wings and engine nacelles so I started there. I had the True Details wheels for the kit which I purchased long before I realized they weren't all that great but I really hate dealing with seams on tires. Upon examination I found that the TD wheels had the same hub on both sides which is just wrong so they headed for the junk box. The kit wheels fit was perfect and with the block tread the seam was nearly invisible. Completed main gear
Fortunately they can be installed after the air frame is painted, I would hate to try and mask them or work around them while painting.
The wings and engine nacelles went together without any angst, the fit of the wing tips will require a dab of filler and a swipe of a sanding stick.
The TD interior parts were hit and miss, the radio rack casting in my set was poorly molded and really didn't offer much advantage over the kit part.
The replacement crew door was a big improvement and should look good once the details are painted and washed.
My hands have been more shaky than usual of late so I'm dragging my feet on painting some of the fine details.
The seat was an improvement over the kit part and used the armrests from the kit.
The cockpit wall castings are a big improvement over the kit details, shown below with only some preliminary painting done.
The Instrument panel offered nothing over the kit part and I decided to go with the Eduard PE panel still in progress so no photo. I will be using the TD radios and a couple other parts. While I have been struggling with painting the details for the interior parts I have drug a couple kits off the SOD and have been plugging away on them and with any luck you'll be seeing those before the end of the month. As always thanks for looking !