With the bulkhead trimmed it was time to fit the canopies. I'm not happy with the way the front section is sitting , it appears to be too big for the fuselage. It's up to it's locating points at the rear but has an overhang on the starboard side, I've initially tried to smooth things out with PPP but it looks like I'll have to try and remove it for a better fit. With that in place the pilots canopy was put in place using Maskol, as was the Observer's, followed by the middle fuselage section then the Observer's canopy. Sword provide masks for the clear parts and any gaps were filled with Maskol. The upper surfaces were painted Extra Dark Sea Grey first as it made for easier masking when spraying the Sky undersurfaces etc. Once dry these were then masked for the Black leading edges. The aileron and flap actuators had been fitted prior to painting, as was the radar dome.

I initially used Vallejo Silver but it didn't look shiny enough so tried their Steel which appears to match the finish of some of the photos I'm referencing from.

While the sea dries it is back to the RFA Fort Austin.
Lots of bits of plastic card stuck together, lots of boxes filed and fitted.

Nice conversion.
Great finish on the float.

Okay, now for something 'What Iffery'with the Me262.

I thought it would be a good idea to create a floatplane Me262. I will be using a central float carved and sanded from Balsa, and then two outrigger wing floats from parts from the spares box.
The float is more or less done having a few coats of sand/sealer to give a smooth glass like finish. A central support from Aerofoil strutting, to be supplemented by two additional braces as per a Nakajima 'Rufe' fighter.
The wheel wells need filling, and the nose has been opened up to receive some nose ballast, although I will be giving my Me262 a beaching/handling trolley.

Hi All,
Back to the bench. Airframe now painted on uppersurfaces in Dunkelgrun RLM71. I have used some old 'Gloy' authentic colours that were lurking in the paint draw. A couple of thin coats seems to have given a nice even finish. I'll leave it 24 hours to cure, before masking for the Schwarzgrun disruptive camouflage.
Note the strip of clear decal film painted, this will be sliced up into thin strips for the cockpit glazing.

Quote from: Bigkev on May 07, 2026, 03:02:19 PMI presume your sea colour was not south Atlantic enough for Howard......

Too dark apparently.

I presume your sea colour was not south Atlantic enough for Howard......

Quote from: zak on May 07, 2026, 12:04:51 PMHMS Bristol painted and transfers added.
I shall use a different colour for the sea, just to please Howard.
This is a suggested mix for Falklands Island sea -
Tamiya XF8 - XF17 - XF2 in the ration 6:3:1.

What time of year for the sea          you dont want to upset Howard or he will go looking for finger prints again     

HMS Bristol painted and transfers added.
I shall use a different colour for the sea, just to please Howard.
This is a suggested mix for Falklands Island sea -
Tamiya XF8 - XF17 - XF2 in the ration 6:3:1.