WOW! There are some stunning bits of work here! Duke, Wai, Tanky, you've all done such excellent work, makes me a little embaressed with mine...
Anyway, here is the score: The cockpit was re-painted, with everything Humbrol 164, except the vinyl (?) areas of the seats, which are satin black (Humbrol 21 I think I used).
The control sticks are quite pathetic, and then one made a very fast journey, as I attempted to get it into place. A new control stick was fashion out of a strut from an Airfix Bristol Bulldog. Actually, that Bulldog has been quite useful in providing replacement parts. Personally, I think the new control stick looks better. Anyway, I drilled holes for the sticks, as the original holes were too small for even the original sticks (hence the stick flick, into an unknown corner of my bedroom).
Size does matter...In this case the bits that fit into the cockpit tub take up too much space (do they actually assemble kits before they make the moulds?). In short (excuse the pun), there is no space between the seat, the stick, the dials, and the next seat. Not even Munchkins could fly one of these! The upshot of all this is that everything is a compromise, and probably not quite right.
I've been moaning (me, moan about this kit? never!) about the cockpit tub pins having no relation to the floor. In the picture you can see the pins 'floating', and not attached to anything. If you did follow the instructions, anyone who flew the aircraft, would be 7' tall, but with no legs, and very weird arms. Anyway, I managed to attach the tub to the sidewall after much trial (and mostly) error.
Of course, it's only now I discovered that there is no blanking plate, so you can see from behind the cockpit to the engine. I suspect that in reality you couldn't see into the engine, so, I need to build a blanking plate, for both ends. I've also got a problem (yep, another), with the glass partion screen, as in fit. That's assuming I can even get the canopy to fit.
What's my view on the re-released KP MiG-15 (Vietnam Special)? Why the heck did I buy two versions?!!! Actually, it's frustrating, because, in places it's an excellent kit, it's just that the fit is awful, there is so much flash you don't know if something is part or flash, and the instructions show something going somewhere, but are approximate than appropriate.
Happy Modelling y'all!
edited to add: I know the cockpit looks rough, but it's going to be cleaned up, sanded, and re-painted. Should look much better soon. The little 'peg' under the cockpit is the underside of the Bristol Bulldog strut. (to the left)
