The Tiger Moth has been started, though I've camera problems so haven't been able to take any "progress build" shots. Today (24 July) I've done the cockpit internals, glued the fuselage halves together and cemented the lower wing in place. I've cut out the cockpit "doors" on the port side and made some new ones out of plasticard so they can be in the open position. The instructions say the kit is for the skilled modeller - I think what it really means is the patient modeller! I've never had to do so many trial dry fits in order to get it together well but I'm sure the end result will be worthwhile. It's being modelled as:
202 of 28 EFTS Mt Hampden where Max and Dad did their first flying. Dad flew this Tiger Moth on April 15th 1943 for 1 hour 5 minutes doing Exercise 7 Take off into wind, 6 Medium turns and 9 Glide approach and landing. He flew it again the next day and then a month later on pilot navigation exercises.
The build has been progressing well, very enjoyable too! All the struts, the undercarriage structure and the prop are white metal, these required quite a lot of cleaning up with needle files. I sprayed the whole model with a white undercoat before top spraying with trainer yellow.
In researching the markings on the Tiger Moth above, I've discovered a lot about 28 EFTS which will be written up in the "RAFVR's tale" section. I was especially interested in the checkerboard band just visible on the fuselage rear in the photo at the top of the page. I've discovered the band was 3 checkers wide and was red and white. The existence of the bands was due to the Maintenance Officer who had them painted on so the Tigers could be easily distinguished from those at the nearby EFTS at Belvedere, the base being only a few miles away so they shared the "same sky". The Maintenance Officer was ex-56 squadron, and their "motif" included the red and white checkerboard.
There has been quite a lot of work spread over a long period though with few "in progress" shots. The positioning of the upper wing and angle of struts was very tricky - it's satisfactory but not 100% accurate below:
Most of the model is completed though the fiddly rigging has to be done.
I intend adding the fuel line from the tank in the centre of the upper wing down to the engine and the pitot tube on the nearest strut, as well as control actuators on the elevators, rudder and ailerons from plastic card and control wires.
202 of 28 EFTS Mt Hampden where Max and Dad did their first flying. Dad flew this Tiger Moth on April 15th 1943 for 1 hour 5 minutes doing Exercise 7 Take off into wind, 6 Medium turns and 9 Glide approach and landing. He flew it again the next day and then a month later on pilot navigation exercises. 
The build has been progressing well, very enjoyable too! All the struts, the undercarriage structure and the prop are white metal, these required quite a lot of cleaning up with needle files. I sprayed the whole model with a white undercoat before top spraying with trainer yellow.
In researching the markings on the Tiger Moth above, I've discovered a lot about 28 EFTS which will be written up in the "RAFVR's tale" section. I was especially interested in the checkerboard band just visible on the fuselage rear in the photo at the top of the page. I've discovered the band was 3 checkers wide and was red and white. The existence of the bands was due to the Maintenance Officer who had them painted on so the Tigers could be easily distinguished from those at the nearby EFTS at Belvedere, the base being only a few miles away so they shared the "same sky". The Maintenance Officer was ex-56 squadron, and their "motif" included the red and white checkerboard.
Most of the model is completed though the fiddly rigging has to be done.
I intend adding the fuel line from the tank in the centre of the upper wing down to the engine and the pitot tube on the nearest strut, as well as control actuators on the elevators, rudder and ailerons from plastic card and control wires.