So here in the UK it is just after 9 am on Saturday, and here's where I am so far, with 2x 3 hours of the last 2 evenings.
I have painted the red and green of the Tricolore on the undersides of both wings. I thought the central panels might have been white but the instructions call for aluminium dope so I will leave it. The grey primer allows for the aluminium to go on thinly so I can build this up by layers, which is important for the top wing upper surface as the previously applied french roundels just about show through the dope.
Engine and cowling painted. The engine block itself is fine, but there is no detailing - the profipack of this kit would have PE details I guess. The engine will be hidden mostly by the cowling so that is OK. For a weekend build, I have little or no time to scratch details such as push rods etc - and also I haven't researched the engine type to see what would be needed.
Rudder decals applied, and the interior wood parts are painted. I normally use the oils brushed over acrylic technique, but that won't dry over a weekend. I applied a base coat, then shaded with a variety of brown colouring pencils before applying a couple of washes in different wood tones, and sealed all with klear. The intention is not to show graining as such, more the different colour tones. If I had more time, I would have masked up to paint the framework with sharper edges - again for me this is a sacrifice of quality for time.
The wheels are painted but need another coat, the tyres tidying and some work on the hubs. The propeller is ready for the laminations - fortunately the prop is quite "straight" so this could be easier. I will finish it with wood colour washes and tinted kleaar rather than oils.
I have an hour or so this morning, during which I plan to paint and assemble the rudimentary control column, throttle, rudder bar, ammo box etc and close up the fuselage, so that if any filler is needed that can be added to dry through the day. This kit is minus cockpit instruments, although the decals are provided. I don't have time to scratch any instruments so the cockpit will be very basic.
So far my thoughts are that I may still "finish" this before Monday morning, although if I could dedicate more time during today and tomorrow I could add more details. The quality of the model will be lowered as a consequence, but I think an acceptable result can be achieved.
