Time to get back to this really enjoyable project - I just wish I had more time to devote to it1 (Don't we all?). But Thank You to everyone who posts such encouraging comments... I am very flattered. Thank You Martin for your great comment. And Thank You Des for your encouragement and running such a great site. Rick, your comments are always appreciated and yes, the instrument panel turned out so much better than I expected, I hope I can do it again sometime! I was brought up on stretched sprue, and it mostly works for me... so I carry on using it! James, praise from you is a great honour. When I go through your Roland thread, I can see now that THAT is modelling! Hi Lance, I didn't have any fiit problems really, in spite of warnings and some problems that others have had. But I did clean up the parts (mould lines etc) very well and made absolutely sure paint didn't get into any joints, and the fit is tight! Thank You for checking in...
So I'm getting some paint on... first the black on the cowling and nose panels, first a quick spray of cheap hairspray, then Tamiya acrylic black - a matt and shiny mix, then attacked with a scouring pad... It looks a bit stark and may even be overdone, but I can tone it down with washes or even blast a shiny layer of black over it again!

Another view of the cowling in a different light...

What do you think?
Regards,
Marc