Hello everybody. 
This is my first post. Have been building model aircraft kits for 40 years almost. 
I recently purchased the Special Hobby L-10 electra. Not too impressed with the kit. Major modifications need to be completed to make it look like Amelia Earhart's electra. I already modified the upper rear fuselage as the kit fuselage is way too skinney. Also had to change the wingspan as the kit is a scale foot or so off. I plan to scratchbuild the interior. I also purchased aeroclub propellers and PW 1340 radials, and the engines unfortunately do not fit in the cowlings.
Checking my references, the cowlings are also about a scale foot off. I tried to widen them, but alas, the end result was lousy.
My question is: it now seems apparent that I will have to buy another kit and use the cowlings. I was looking at the MPM Hudson MKI kit, but at $40 seems a bit too much.
Any suggestions or comments would be most welcome!
Thanks