U-2A Dragon Lady

Off we go. Here the products used for the project. Already started so many parts are off the sprue. 

Wings off the sprues, one already glued together. Removed the parts I identified for subassemblies that can be already cleaned out and glued, then primed. 

Wings glued together and the vertical stabiliser also. Glued the stick and photo etched pedals to the cockpit. Sone lines were missing from one side of the stabiliser, did rescribe them. It is hard to understand why the stabiliser isn't moulded in one part like the horizontal ones as it would save some effort for both the company and the builder. 

Did assemble the seat without the headrest and the cussion. Did assemble part B5 to the side of one part as in the instruction which ended as on the picture. I advise to first assemble the seat mainframe and then to glue part B5. My first impression is that HB has not put much effort in this kit as the seat is not straight and other parts do not fit good at all like the wings. 

Dig glue the exaust pipe and some elements of the main gear bay today. Fit is acceptable but not what I expected from a mainstream manufacturer. Hoped for some easy assembly after the P-36... 

Working on the right wing while I clean up small parts for priming. Added the photo etched fuel inlets and added some super glue in the position where later version had pods (and here they were closed by additional parts which are not flush) in order to blend them with the wings. 

Cleaned up the main gear doors today. Enourmous sprue attachment gates but nothing some sanding can't manage. Working on the wings also. 

Getting ready for priming of all subassemblies parts. Working to replace the internals of the speed brakes - the eduard ones are more accurate. The wiring immitation of the hb plastic is nice but the parts lack many details. 

Did some additional reasearch - the Hobby Boss brakes are correct for the TR-1 versions and up. For the U-2a eduard PE ist the better choice, though it is not 100% accurate also. 

Did assemble some PE parts today and cleaned up the airbrake frames fo the PE. 

Did some PE work today. Assembled the first airbrake and added some wiring and glued the PE oleo scissors to the main gear. Also drilled out a hole by the main strut to add some detail. 

Both internals of the speedbrake done. Was afraid it would be the hardest part of the build but it went reasonably quick as for my first time doing more complex PE.