I'm hoping this is the last update before completion, this Build has been a long haul! I finally got a bit of time to get at this project and it's progressed nicely.
First a few photos of the completed and installed Landing gear assembly with the brass/soldered pins struts:
The Spandaus were carefully masked off and the barrels sprayed with gun metal, a step I had previously missed.
Next came the Fokker Cowl Nuts as done by Taurus Models. These little guys really took my Optivisor to it's limits but I'm really pleased with the results; lovely touch, Thanks to Luckasz.
The elevator cables from the control stick counter balance below the cockpit were added:
The leather grommets for the fuselage exits of the control cables were done in paper thin Evergreen sheet styrene with Waldron Models Precision Punch and Die Set:
And finally the big obstacle was conquered, the wing was mounted to the "scratched" soldered brass and plastic parasol struts, and worked out quite well! I also added the black stripe decal just behind the cowling at this stage.
Last, the tail skid and the Spandau Loading / cocking handles were added:
Now it's time to attach the aileron cables, complete the tail assembly and rigging, get the engine, cowling, and cowling strap on and with a little touch up and final weathering she'll be a "wrap".
It's looking a little better now that the wing is on. There were times when I thought it just might end up a shelf of doom candidate!
Cheers,
Lance