The first stage for the Buffalo is thr cockpit
There are two seats in the kit, this one and one with a rounder top. The chosen scheme also has a headrest for the pilot. Two holes need drilling to mount the headrest.
Probably should have painted this before assembky as they are all different colours. If the canopy could be easily opened I would probably have replaces the straps but they should look OK(ish).
There is a instrument box to fit on the inside of the right fuselage half.
The rudder pedals hang off the back of the instrument panel.
These go together quite nice. It could probably be painted up quite nicely.
The left side gets a control box which has a trim wheel and the throttle quadrant fitted. I drilled out the holes in the wheel but no one well ever see them.
While preparing for assembly, the throttle quadrent disapeared never to be see again. I doubt it will be too noticable.
The cockpit floor is made from two blocks.
Care is needed to ensure the parts are the right way round.
The instructions call for a colour mix of 2 parts Tamiya XF-5 green and 1 part XF-3 yellow. But I have a Lifecolor equivalent so will use that instead. This goes onto the sides and floor.
The rear bulkhead is painted CF-5 green.
When the greens were dry, the control boxes were painted black and dry brushed. Then the seat and pedals were painted aluminium. Khaki was used for the seat belts.
If the canopy was going to be open, I would probably have got a cockpit set but as it's not, the decals will be used.
The go on OK and were sealed in with satin varnish.
Next will be fitting the cockpit parts into the fuseklage and gluing that togethe.