Such a cool subject, and a kit I've looked at a couple of times without actually adding to basket... Looking forward to seeing your progress, that's a nice start you've made on the cabin. 

Hello!

It's a beauty of a kit! I've seen it at a hobby shop and barery resisted... :-)

You're doing a great job here, too - I like your build a lot! Good luck with it and have a nice day

Paweł

Thanks Pawel, and ye, it is a nice looking kit even without the PE. But I can't take credit for chooseing this, it was a birthday pressie form my Mrs last year. One of her better modelling choices.

It's looking great. I saw one of these flying a month or so back. Very distinctive bird in flight and makes quite a racket also. Nice to see someone build one up again.

BK

You know Bish, I've never seen a model of this aircraft before.  This is looking really great, I'll definately be looking forward to your progress with this build!

Toshi

Thanks Marc, ye, I know what you mean. It always seems to get eyes looking up and the look of it is something that won't be forgotten either.

I was not aware the wing did that either. I am guessing so it can be loaded into an aircrfat and for ship operations as well. Neat idea for saving space. I can only assume that pic was taken when it was delivered. I think the prop blades all fold as well.

Edit: Yes they do, found this.

That is one weird looking aircraft Bish. The pit looks outstanding. I like the wash you gave it to pop the details and gives it depth.

I hope you are not encountering any fit issues like with my Hasegawa 1/48 F-14A.

Bish

The test will come in a day or so when the fuselage gets joined

I'd expect it to go together far better than the old Hobbycraft kit of the prototype..

You did really well with the cockpit there. Been considering getting this kit for some time now, and will surely be following your progress.

Not an expert on USMC aircraft, but since your subject shows "double nuts" (00) markings it appears to be CAG aircraft, hence allowed such special colored markings and is cleaner than most other aircraft in the squadron.

Phil, I take it that kit was a PITA. Is it relate to the old Italeri kit of the prototype.

allan, thanks, and thanks for the info. I assumed the 00 numbers would indicate the aircraft of the unit commander, is that what CAG refers to. Excuse my ignorance.

Gee, you're on a modern subject kick here recently Bish! Very cool, looking forward to seeing how she turns out. 

Thanks Johnny.

allan, thank you very much. As I am sure you know, my thing is anything Ww2 German, so all of this is new info to me and very nice to know. and it does explain nicely the scheme and clen appearance.

Gamera, thanks. And ye, I know. Going to have to overdose on RLM and RAL in the new year to make up for

Been making slow but steady progress on the Osprey. Managed to get the interiour parts fitted and the fuselage together. This largely went well. But there was a bit of a bulge on one side of the join underneath, not sure why as the top was fin and there was nothing inside pushing it out. But some clamps sorted that.

Gave the seams a rub down and all the external bits fitd. I also tried out a new tool. Joe Rix sent me over a Testors silver enamel marker. Testors is impossable to get hold of over here and i had asked Joe about the marker after seeing him use one. Seams have been my real weak point, so anything that can help is appreciated, and i really liked this. Shows up all the errors really well and i think the seam on this will be my best yet.

Just a bit of rubbing down to do on the underside and fit the canopy and the fuselage will be done.

I have got the wings together and can concentrate on finishing those off before i fit them.

The kit gives you 2 options for the tail markings. The first is one large decals with all the details on it. Or you can paint the tail and all the detail markings are provided seperatly. Given all the little bups on the tail, i figured the single dcal would be a pain, so decided to paint. Firstly some Xtracolour Insignia yellow.

After masking, i then sprayed Humbrol Gloss black.

Thats all for now, another update soon(ish)

Looking good Bish.  Stabs are spot on.

Bish,

This is a treat!  Nice work up on such an unusual aircraft.

I must admit, I was surprised to see you do a WIP thread on an aircraft.    Maybe I have not been around long enough.

Gary

Looks like your build is coming together very nicely Bish

TY for posting this WIP.  I have a 1/72 Hobby Craft in the stash just itching to be built and yours is very inspiring.

Its been a while since i updated. But i had to put the osprey aside to finish the Stormtrooper and then its taken me since last Fri to get this painted. But i am finally there.

This is how she looked after construction was done, i am leaving the engines of until the end.

Then it was into the paiunt booth. The demarcation between the light and dark gull grey is not as stark as it should be. It hardly shows up at all in the photo's and you can only just see it in the flesh. And for some reason, it does show more on the engines than on the fuselage.

I also noticed an error i had made during construction. The 2 antenna on the rear capped with a disk, this aircraft should only have one. The instructions do point this out and the pics of the real aircraft confirm it, so i had to remove one an di have to touch that up. And i have made a start on the detailed painting beginging with the wing leading edge.

Hopefully, i should not be so long before the next update.