Next I joined the bottom fuselage parts--front and back.After sanding the back edge of the nose landing gear
well very carefully, there was no dry fit gap or step in the fuselage parts. So........got everything locked in place
with TAC, a dowel, and tape--then aligned the joint and applied Tamiya Extra Thin Cement carefully. Multiple dry fittings,
sanding, shaping really WORKS!!



NOW I have a more "standard" arrangement for assembling the fuselage parts. Here is the review/build link that I have referred to: http://vodnik.republika.pl/pages/mig29/mig29.htm#cockpit



Kept looking at two kit options for the vents on the anterior upper fuselage--open or closed. AM PE is great but....not going to order. I decided to use the "open" kit pieces.After I glued one in place i really started looking at the possibility of actually "opening" the vent spaces. SO I have started the tedious process on the vent piece NOT glued in already [taped in place in picture]. Its not that bad really. Hand drill, small thickness p cutter, razor knife, sanding stick.I will open the vent spaces on the right fuselage side when the cement is solid.




this image also shows that I simply trimmed my sheet styrene "filler" down close to the fuselage. I will final shape/sand when the whole fuselage is together so I can do all of it at once. should be more continuous since part of the gap was in the curved edge of the fuselage side.

I wanted to see if I could modify the kit HUD device to be more realistic [since I am not using a AM PE kit for the cockpit]. The kit HUD is seriously lacking but is so visible
I really wanted to modify that detail.


Off to the internet to get some real pics of the Mig-29 HUD.

I believe that I can work from this image to improve the kit HUD.

Drilled/filed the original bottom HUD lens out and backed the opening with a piece of sheet styrene, thinned the upper lens supports, then ground the upper lens [clear kit part] way down. I could have used a piece of clear acetate but did not have any on hand. After the "dash" is painted flat black, I will color the lower lens opening [the styrene] and then cover it with Micro Krystal Klear.



0407 here across the pond and its time for bed. Got to get up at 0700. Assembled the AM Resin Soviet Ejection seat for the Mig-29A Fulcrum. Hobbyists
that build similar AM Resin and PE in 1/72 are GODS!!


Next Item to undergo modification? the KOLS sensor on the fuselage in front of the canopy.


Used saw to remove kit representation of the KOLS system. Opened up a larger whole with a drill bit, round file. Used a piece of clear sprue to re-create
the KOLS sensor. This bit will wait till the final step before installation. The "new" KOLS still has to be fitted to the opening and drilled out from behind.
Afterwards, it will be painted inside to mimic the image posted above of the real system.


Further along in replacing the sensor for the KOLS sys. I drilled out the inside of the "glass dome" and put a drop of silver inside. I also cut a tiny strip of tamiya tape
and painted it silver to represent the frame on the real aircraft. UPDATE: The KOLS sensor I made needs a drop of black or metallic grey inside instead of silver.


NOTE: Sorry my camera sensor is so dirty [black specks on pictures]! I will clean it soon.