Su-2 in 1/48
OK, off to the races. I tend to have a bad habit with kits, I plunge into them until I hit a problem area then tend to pause to think about solutions, get distracted, and go off in a different direction. However with this one once I got started I couldn't stop. So far everything has fit well and I've hit no stumbling blocks. In some cases I forgot to stop and take photos. Anyway here is what has gone down so far...
As usual the cockpit came first, the pilots office is assembled on top of the wing so the wings were assembled first. I used the Eduard Zoom set. The pit looks pretty roomy to me and it seemed that the rudder pedals were a bit off.
Sure enough a test fit using the lower torso of the pilot confirmed it would be quite a stretch to reach them, they won't really show so I wasn't inspired to move them.
On the wing a test fit of the Vector ailerons showed them to be a bit short (or they are correct and the opening is too long).
An easy fix with a bit of styrene
Instrument panel
Port side wall in the bombardiers position. My choice for the interior gray turned out to be a bit darker than I might have liked and the shadow wash only made it darker. In the end not all that much is visible.
Starboard side all, not a lot of detail but considering how much is visible later it is more than adequate for me.
Upper deck for the same position.
The Vector engine was assembled and valve rods and ignition wiring added. I had some issues with this one that I have not had with other Vector engines, perhaps the mold was nearing the end of its life but the cylinders really didn't fit well which cause alignment issues with the valve rods. Fortunately once buried in the cowling it should be that noticeable.
Jumping ahead the fuselage has been assembled and the wing and horizontal stabs attached. I decided that I could live with the kit detail on the elevators versus the work required to cut them off and attach the vector parts. Fit in both cases was quite good, the wing to fuselage fit so tight I was afraid I was going to break something but it finally snapped into position. No seam work has been done in any of the next few photos.
There is still a roll over structure to be added between positions but I think I'm going to leave that and the cabin and turret glazing off till after painting, again to make masking easier.
The cowl fits nice and snug so I'm going to leave it till after painting and install it and the engine after painting to reduce the masking work load
I need to mask all of the clear parts, do a bit of seam work and it will be ready for some color.
Thanks for looking in !