Hi John.
Many thanks for that, very interesting. My own research suggests a field modification on many Mk IIs. Hence them not having a uniform appearance, so the squarer shape is not a worry.
Tamiya do often include different parts that are not needed for the versions in the box. I found parts for my Passion Wagon Mustang that were not needed for any of the versions offered in both boxings.
I have decided to include them. They just fit so perfectly in place square to the marks on the fuselage it cannot just be coincidence. I did see pics with these scoops on aircraft based on HMS Victorious though the exact shape was not clear.
I found some time today to clip the wings.
I firmly cemented the tip into place first and the went looking for a plug for where the lights go. Ideally I wanted a clear piece of sprue but could not find any big enough. I therefore had to use a solid piece of plastic and will end up painting the lights. Not so good that but it is the only way I could do it.
I cut out the small protrusions that represent bulbs.
I used some black tape to mark the cuts.
Cut done.
You can see the plugs in place. Just got the edges to sand to shape and blend in.
Nearly there. A touch of Mr Surfacer is applied in a couple of places. I will finish off tomorrow or Monday. I am pleased with how that tricky operation went in spite of having to use solid plugs.
Many thanks for that, very interesting. My own research suggests a field modification on many Mk IIs. Hence them not having a uniform appearance, so the squarer shape is not a worry.
Tamiya do often include different parts that are not needed for the versions in the box. I found parts for my Passion Wagon Mustang that were not needed for any of the versions offered in both boxings.
I have decided to include them. They just fit so perfectly in place square to the marks on the fuselage it cannot just be coincidence. I did see pics with these scoops on aircraft based on HMS Victorious though the exact shape was not clear.
I found some time today to clip the wings.
I firmly cemented the tip into place first and the went looking for a plug for where the lights go. Ideally I wanted a clear piece of sprue but could not find any big enough. I therefore had to use a solid piece of plastic and will end up painting the lights. Not so good that but it is the only way I could do it.
I cut out the small protrusions that represent bulbs.
I used some black tape to mark the cuts.
Cut done.
You can see the plugs in place. Just got the edges to sand to shape and blend in.
Nearly there. A touch of Mr Surfacer is applied in a couple of places. I will finish off tomorrow or Monday. I am pleased with how that tricky operation went in spite of having to use solid plugs.