Here's my update boys and girls:
theres a couple more here: http://kiksbench.50megs.com/photo.html I didn't want to overload the post.
Anyways, I'm really, really, really pleased with how everything has been turning out. A copule of minor errors here and there, but I have been enjoying it thoroughly. I did want to think everyone for twisting my arm and "making" me dirty up the engine. It was well worth it. As you can imagine, I was a bit nervous about doing the weathering on any of the pieces, since this is I hope to be my first finished A/C model, and everything looked so well. But again, thanks for persuading me to go through with it. I will definately weather the rest of the plane with much gusto. The cowling is going to be held in temporarily while I paint. Since there aren't going to be seems, I decided rather than fighting masking the engine, I would assemble it later. Also I asked around, and got this idea to tack on the Canopy, spray the model, remove the canopy and strip it completely. I think it will be the best way to mask the cockpit (I'm not all that great at masking yet). The left wing is going to be folded, and flaps are going to be down. I am going to paint the flaps, Left wing, and the gear doors seperately, and assemble them later. Only one problem I have, is that on the left fuselage half, where the rudder meets the vertical stab, it was open....ummm how to put it. There was no plastic, like it was cut, at the top of the rudder where the line is supposed to be. When glued together, you can't tell other than it is deeper than the other side. Any idea on how to fix this and make it look even?? Thanks