Finally have found a little time here and there to get this project moving again. There's been a few steps taken backwards since the last update however the "retro" work is now complete and were stepping along according to plan.
The first area requiring re-working was the Darker Rib Tapes I'd used on the stabilator. I couldn't live with the stark contrast they provided to the pre-taped wing Lozenge so cut a bunch from some Wind and Wire white base stock, a much better match and something I could have done in the first place and saved myself a lot of angst!
Here's a shot of the Stab with the new tapes on the left side, the right tapes being the darker ones originally from some A/M WNW Lozenge Sets.

.......and here's the upper portion with tapes re-done and post shading redone as well ready to go on the fuselage.

I also replaced the outline tapes on the elevator, a nasty job to remove some of the old which resulted in one repair exercise. I used scrap white decal as a new base for the Lozenge and then replaced the outline or edge tapes.


....and the final result.

The second area requiring re-work was the radiator filler pipe; I noticed on the photo of the original aircraft that it had the off center one vs. centered version. The pipe was carefully cut from the thicker Radiator Kit Part #34 and installed on the radiator already on the aircraft after the original centre mounted pipe was removed. The brass radiator was touched up and I was now back where I was several weeks ago!
Here's the initial installation of the off set filler pipe...................

.............some touching up in progress.................

and the completed modification..........

Since then the Guns and Flash Guards have been mounted, some more detailing/weathering of the axel wing completed, and the struts prepared for installation and assembly of the upper wing.

the right Spandau sustained a little "squeeze " damage during installation but should be more or les invisible with the upper wing in place....


and last the axel wing with Gas Patch Turn Buckles installed.

This will be followed by installation of the tail components and rigging which should have her pretty well done. The landing gear will be added last.
Now it's off to the great outdoors for the bulk of the day; more fence panels to stain and about 3 more hours of lawn cutting to complete!

Cheers,
Lance