Time for a real world build. Lately I've been on a big real world WW2 kick (I got to fly a P-40 back in November...I think that fed it).
I got Tamiya's wonderful new P-48F/G from SWMBO for Christmas, so I decided to give it a crack. I have to say first impression of this kit after a quick look at the sprues and instructions was 'WOW!' Tamiya really knocked it out of the park with this one. Engineering and fit are simply on another level.
Anyhoo...progress so far in the past 24ish hours..
Cockpit tub consists of about 9 parts, not counting the seat assembly which is added at the end. The parts virtually fall together. Detail is really nice OOB too. I'm not big on super detail sets and this kit definitely doesn't need it.
Nosewheel bay is 6 parts that also fall together and mesh together nicely with the cockpit tub so the top of the wheel cutout in the well is the wheel hump in the cockpit floor. Again fit of everything is impeccable.
Fuselage "pod" coming together. Tamiya include three steel weight to keep it on its nosegear. One for the fuselage seen here and one in the front of each nacelle. The upper and lower fuselage halves come together with a cutout for a panel to cover them following real panel lines, resulting insert filling or even really any appreciable cleanup.
I spent a little time experimenting to get a good finish on the turbos. I wanted to try to represent the real look of metal that gets very hot and oxidized. I'm pretty happy with the result.
One of the booms is almost assembled and I think I'm calling it a night. I plan on painting it with the fuselage and nacelles still separate to make the inner surfaces of the nacelles easier to get to. Based on experience so far I don't think it will take much touchup once it's fully assembled.
