Thanks folks. Frankenstein it is!. I need a project once in a while to keep me honest[:D]. With all this talk about Dremel tools, fate would have me in the tool isle at Wal-Mart this weekend. Knowing I would be doing much more sanding in this project. I broke down and bought one.
It was $40.00 well spent. Since I would be adding a True Details pit, the kit side wall detail needed to be removed. On the “Low” setting, with a sanding drum bit, this took maybe minute. I experienced no melting of the plastic. The trick is to use light pressure and keep the tool moving. I also cut out the closed radiator flaps with the cutting bit. It was a piece of cake. I can’t believe I waiting this long to buy one.
I turned my attention to the TD pit. It’s and ex- KMC mold that was supposed to be designed for this kit. Its beautifully detailed and relatively cheap, but the instructions are horrible. The hardest part was removing the resin block from the floor. I started with a razor saw (to keep the unhealthy resin dust down) but this was taking forever and the piece kept slipping out of my hand. I eventually whipped out the Dremel and sliced it off.
I then started working on the pit. I concocted my own Curtiss Bronze Green with one part XF-81 RAF Green, one part XF-5 Flat Green, and two parts XF-8 Flat Blue. If you would like to see how do my cockpits, see the tutorial in my Dauntless build here:
http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/160714.aspx
I’m not crazy about the TD instrument panel. The dials are too deep and impossible to drybrush. I decided to add 5 minute clear epoxy to simulate glass dials. I may paint up the kit part and compare the two. I just didn’t feel like buying a PE set along with a resin pit, nor should one have to.
I hope to get this installed soon.
Joe