I'm feeling positively radiant! The HGW photo-etched radiator set is a huge improvement over the kit representation, especially as the kit lacks the louver control rod and lever. Speaking of louvers, getting them in place between the two sides was quite fun! Added scratch details include some piping (from 0.015" solder) and proper radiator cap.
Also completed painting and decals on the upper wing. I had to make a judgment call on the upper crosses. Pheon's placement diagram shows a faint image of the older style crosses beneath those seen here implying the original crosses were over-painted prior to adding the newer ones. Interestingly, no such indication is made for the lower wing underside crosses.
I could find no reference photos showing the wings so I'm guessing Pheon made an assumption based on photographic evidence that the fuselage side crosses were over-painted and replaced. My first inclination was to apply the old style cross decals, over-paint them with several more coats of mauve, then apply the second decals, but I eventually decided to avoid the layering of multiple decals and just apply the visible crosses. Another option would have been to make masks and paint the original style crosses but I didn't feel I could pull that off convincingly nor did I feel it worth the efforts. So, I made the executive decision to only apply the later style crosses.
Cheers,
Eric
