Scale aviation modeller international

operate the single hand-held

machine gun, but the plans show

this seat being mounted so the

crewman faces forward. However,

on the real aeroplane, the seat was

rotatable, so the choice is yours.

The rear bulkhead is fitted next,

as well as the long and prominent

heating pipe. The whole interior

has an impressive level of detail,

with both fuselage halves featuring

interior rib detail along the entire

length, from the cockpit to just

past the observer’s position. In the

cockpit there is also more detail

moulded to the walls, which comes

to life with a coat of paint and some

dry-brushing and detail painting.

Stages 11 to 14 cover the

assembly and installation of the

tail wheel, but this can be fitted

after the fuselage is closed up. I

left it off until the end of the build

to avoid damaging it, and to make

masking and painting simpler.

I could now close up the

fuselage halves and these come

together with no problems. Be

aware before you close up the

body that you need to first add

the observer’s entry hatch/ladder.

This can be posed open, but if you

are going to fit the torpedo, they

will get in each other’s way so you

will need to position it closed.

Next, we have a choice of nose

caps, either the standard short

nose, or the longer “thimble nose”

radar nose, depending on your

choice of final colour scheme.

The next stage is the pilot’s

canopy and front fuselage fairing.

First you must attach the pilot’s

reflector sight to the inside of the

canopy before fixing it in place.

Once this is dry you can attach the

canopy, which fits neatly into its

opening with no filler required.

The pilot’s entry/escape hatch

is moulded as a separate part and

can be fitted opened or closed, as

can the observer’s bubble hood. If

you choose to position the bubble

closed the two small hinges will

need to be carefully removed.

The fuselage belly plate is

moulded integrally with the

lower wings, and if you are fitting

the torpedo, four flashed-over

holes need opening up. The

undercarriage bay’s walls, roof,

and forward firewall are added

next, all featuring more lovely

detail, which really pops out with

careful painting and washes.

Before you can add the top wing

The four holes for the torpedo mounts need opening up I broke away from the plans and added the lower wings/belly plate assembly

before I attached the top wings

A small amount of filler was required to neaten

up the nose seam

Filler was also required to the rear of the belly

panel

8 • NOVEMBER 2018 • SCALE AVIATION MODELLER INTERNATIONAL

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