Thanks, Frank. I had some doubts about the AMT kit because the surface detail is overdone, but enough sanding and enough layers of paint are seeming to give the model the look I remember the real Staggerwings have that I remember. The first time I saw one up close was a real eye-opener, at the Merced EAA air show about 1964. I had made the flight down there in my '46 J-3, in formation with a Champ and another J-3. Had to fly formation, since I had never been signed off for cross-country flight. Not sure I logged that 2 hours, maybe I should check....
Anyway, no matter how close I looked I couldn't see any fabric weave on some of those Staggerwings, there were several there. No Cadillac ever looked that good. They must have had 20 coats of dope on them, hardly any rib tape visible, just gloss everywhere.
The last time I saw a Staggerwing fly was about 10 years ago, it was a red one with black trim. A thing of beauty. I can see it now in my mind's eye.