JohnB

They were clipped at one point but that wasn't permanent.

Obviously I didn't see that. Thanks for the link.

From those photos it doesn't look like they made any significant changes to the cockpit other than radios. From the 2022 photos I have it appears to me the only notable changes from the original are faired over gun ports added and a Hamilton Standard prop. Compare these photos. There likely ARE some changes in the cockpit in addition to the radios on the dash but it doesn't look like they re-installed the fuselage fuel tank and armor plate/head rest. So, I feel like the way I'm building it is pretty much accurate except for a couple of minor cockpit details.

I've decided to go on and finish it just like I had planned in the first place. Too far along to do otherwise.

I checked and all the innards are there in my "parts" kit. Unfortunately it's a bit too late to "fix" the model as I'm well along on it. So now I don't know just WHAT to do. 🤪

Thanks Ernie. I wish I'd known before I got so far with it. Where did you find your info? I'd like to take a look at it. I have another kit which is a "parts" kit and the cockpit parts are all there (I think!) so I probably wouldn't need the parts you have. I'll go check it out and if I do need 'em I'll let you know. Thanks for the heads up!

Thank Peter. Email on the way.

Progress made on the cockpit, etc. The seat and exhaust stacks are from a Tamiya P-51 and the belts are from FineMolds.

Looks to be coming along fine Gaz!

Some mighty good looking racers! This build should go well with my earlier one of the same racer. Not a lot of differences but still enough for me to want to build it again!

Thank you Gaz. Me too! I'm glad you like it. 😀

Thanks Paul!! 😀

Thanks for these pics Carl! I'm sure thy will come in handy whenever I get around to building mine.

Seems I drilled out those screw holes a tad too much. I'll try to fix that with some Vallejo plastic putty. We will see! Plastic putty and Alclad white primer applied. Much better I think.

Just hangin' in there Martin.

Thank you Peter. Fingers crossed it will turn out as I expect!

Thanks Mike. All that sounds even more tedious than what I'm doing now. I would hate to have to stick a little bitty rod through each one although that might work fine. Just sounds like too much work for me but I appreciate the input. LOL Like I always say, we will see!

A pretty tedious job for sure Carl! I was nearly cross-eyed by the time I finished! I'm hoping I won't have to go over them with a wash after painting the white but maybe, just maybe, they will show adequately without it. We will see!

Finally got the little screws reamed out so they ought to show up just like the "real" one! Fingers crossed.

Racers are great modeling fodder! LOL The Tamiya P-51 is tops except for the itty bitty rivets showing on the wings. They shouldn't be visible since '51's had puttied over wings. Still, they are first class. The new Revell late model '51 that I'm working on now has smooth wings which is a big plus. And it comes with 3 canopies!

My plan for the screw heads is to use a fine drill and just barely drill them out. Careful not to go all the way through! After applying the white it should be easier to spot paint them or maybe use a very thin wash. We will see.

Could be! LOL

This P-51 has to be my favorite air racer. Since it is now back in the racing program they have made a few changes. It is now race number 3 instead of 8. The prop was changed to a square tipped Hamilton Standard. I'll be using the Revell late version P-51D kit for this plus a set of new Draw Decals for the "new" markings. I think it will go well with my previous build of the racer.

Thank you Rob. I'm glad you like the way the Panther turned out. Love that GSB! 😀

I know it will be a winner Peter! I look forward to seeing the finished model.