REVELL 747-400 1:144 Engines look tricky....

I frequently stuff Kleenex in intakes to "mask" fans or other engine detail.  Sometimes dampening tissue helps to mold it into shape and keep it in place.  You can then sand, fill, paint nacelles.

For masking, I used some foam ear plugs and stuffed them into the engine to mask the compressor blades and spinner.  It worked very well.

Kal, what I've done before (with success) is to basically assemble the shroud (without the fan blades), then split the shroud with a razor saw (inboard to outboard) about where the fan meets the innards of the cowling, finish the interior surfaces, and then assemble later.

So......putty, sand, prime and paint the inside of the forward cowl.  This means you have to glue,attach, fill and sand the fore part of the cowl to the rear later.....but it gives you a chance to make the insides all pretty and perfect without having to mess up your fan blades.

It seems like a real nasty chore (when you hear it), but have a look at the structure....it'll be easier than you think....and you'll get a great result.

Thanks all, some great suggestions and not for just this project.

Will put up the final solution when i get to it!

Foam earplugs? Great idea!! Gonna use that in the future...thanks Fly!!

I do something similar. Using an exacto knife, I slice one side of the engine open behind where the fan attaches inside, then with full access to the lip and intake I clean up the seam, paint it, insert the fan, and then reattach the other half. Basically you have the whole half side plus half of the other half, 3 parts all together for the engine cowling.

I used to slice up both halves behind the fan, but then I had alignment issues because my cuts weren't even and too much plastic was removed.

This is the method that works best for me.