This is the Italeri boxing of the MPM kit and that's where the fun begins!! I'd fancied making a Hudson for some time and when the chance came along to get one I jumped at it. Perhaps I should have jumped further, I seem lately to be picking challenging kits, but I digress. The kit was 'pre-loved' so was part built unfortunately parts like the fuselage windows should have been fitted before closing up the fuselage. They're too big to fit from the outside and would require serious work to get them to fit so it will be Glue and Glaze once the camoflague is finished. The instructions would have you cut off a small triangle from the top of instrument panel, turn it 180deg and then fit the instrument panel. Not possible with the fuselage joined and the control column fitted so just the triangle was fitted along with some packing. The bomb aimer/navigators area had also been fitted and when I came to fit the lower nose half and the table this caught on the seat. After trying various ways I opted for cutting the width of the table. None of the clear parts for the nose match up to each other or the fuselage with the same problem found with the cockpit glazing. Lots of filling and sanding have been done and the fit still isn't perfect. One good thing about this buy is that it includes Eduard masks for the clear parts so these were applied before Tamiya Cockpit Green was applied followed by a coat of primer with the undersurfaces sprayed Vallejo Sky Type 'S'. This build was meant to be a 'filler' whilst working on the Anson but has turned into a major build. The biggest problem by far is the fact that there was only one set of engine cowling covers in the box so I've had to make a 'firewall' and will leave the staboard engine exposed.

You cracked on with this model Chris.  Looking good.

Blimey, Chris, I think you ought to try a Contrail vacform instead - it would be easier! 
Jon

You're a glutton for punishment aren't you?
All that work deserves a medal in itself.
Looking good in your hands.

I tried a couple of vacforms in my youth Jonno, needless to say I moved on!!!

The lower surfaces have been masked with Blu-tack and Tamiya tape and this was followed by an overall coat of Tamiya Dark Sea Grey, which is a good match for the primer!! This showed up that even more that work is needed around the nose section. The turret on most Hudsons was painted black for whatever reason so after masking and an undercoat of Tamiya Cockpit Green Vallejo Black was applied. The holes for the machine guns being drilled prior.

You're getting there Chris, nice work so far.

I sanded the nose down further and then resprayed The Dark Sea Grey. this was followed bu masking with Blue Tack and then a coat of Vallejo Dark Slate Grey was applied. This was thin on application so meant touch ups were required once the masking was removed and runs/ridges dealt with. The undesides will need a further coat of Sky Type S as there's a marked difference in the spray applied paint and the brush touch ups.

Work progressing well. Always starts to look better, once the paint work is started.
I'm sure the final look will be okay,
Have a little faith.

It's looking good Chris.