Hello Chaps,
I've finaly finished my first build of the new year, 2016....on with the next one!!
Firstly, I'd like to say that this isn't a kit that I would normally be interested in buying, because of its 36 yr age, poorly engineered and molded parts, a few parts at that, the lack of details, raised panel lines and rivet details, with some rivets being very large for this scale model, and, there was a lot of clean-up to do regarding flash and parting-line miss-match. The engine cowling was poor fitting and there were gaps present at the joints of mating parts.
But, that said...I needed a plane that was suitable for a "Spanish Civil War" group Build that I wanted to participate in, on YouTube, and one that was 1/48 scale or larger. Well, that's where my problem arose...I could find 1/72 scale aircraft and after market decals for 1/72, but nothing larger. I therefore decided that I was going to paint all of the markings on myself.
Despite my efforts to turn a "pigs ear" into a "silk purse", I felt that I was always trying to overcome the fact that the molded parts look so cheap and "toy-like".
Ha well, I stuck with her and posted my best effort with what I had available. For the rigging, I used Heavy black EZ-Line- 1.015" thick, and for the antenna cables, I used Fine black EZ-Line - 1.010" thick. I drilled holes through the vertical and horizontal stabilzers as well as one each side of the fuselage for the elevator and rudder actuator cables and I scratch built the antenna cable hard point at the top of the vertical stabilizer.
I'm disappointed with it myself, because I had gotten so comfortable building well engineered and molded 1/32 scale kits....I choose large scale because my eyesight has gotten terrible in the last couple of years as I get closer to my 60 years of age!
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the fact that it is different with its Spanish Republican Air Force markings as opposed to the British markings that are normally applied to these models.
Enough waffling, here's the photos...
So there she is, be gentle...it is a poor kit and no after-market enhancements were used to try to help her out, if any exist? But, if they did, I wouldn't waste the money on AM parts for a kit this old and poorly engineered and molded.
I didn't do a build log on here leading up to this "Final Revea", but I did create "Build Update" videos on my YouTube Channel, along with an introduction video and a final reveal video.
If you'd like to see how I constructed, painted and weathered this kit, then here are the links to my "Build Series" videos for this model:
"Introduction" video link: https://youtu.be/HRoT0Frosvs
"Build Update #1" video link: https://youtu.be/jM1voNN10CM
"Build Update #2" video link: https://youtu.be/m6A5j3TsEUA
"Build Update #3" video link: https://youtu.be/ZcHffhZkBAE
"Final Reveal" video link: https://youtu.be/Me-q2zLHqs0
Thanks in advance for taking a look at this posting, watching any of my videos and leaving any comments, greatly appreciated!
In the mean-time, happy modeling and have fun!
Cheers 
