Hi there Serverfarmer. What a way to start modeling airplanes: a Trimaster kit! They have been out of production for a number of years now (company went bust), but you may be familiar with more recent reissues of the same molds by Dragon. I'm not sure they also did this specific version, but I have a nightfighter variant lying around somewhere (can't find the box
). The original Trimaster offering is a bit nicer, with the white metal landing gear and more photo-etch parts. Also it is older, so the molding may be a litter crisper?
Anyhow, have you had any experience with etched metal and white metal parts? If not, a few pointers from guys doing 262s (or other mm-kits) might save you some time. One little tip from me: heating the photo-etched parts in a candle-flame reduces the springyness, and lets you bend them easily. If that's what you need: they loose some strength.
In case this is old news to ya, because you've been buiding shipmodels for a decade or two, please don't feel offended. Happy modeling!