Avenger: Assemble!

And so it begins 🙂 

Primed (note spares box behind, came in handy in this build). Don't give me "Academy New Tooling in 1987" rubbish, we all know it's the 1973 Frog kit in disguise (complete with Tarpon bulbous side ports rather than flush Avenger ones). 

Interior detail was non-existent, so dug out some spare photo-etch for seat belts (these two plus gun turret) and to give the pilot a throttle lever 

Spare instrument panel added, suitably (albeit fairly randomly) adorned. 

One piece engine which was a bit disappointing (so spake the engineer), but did my best to pick out what detail there was with different metallics and added some engine oil and grime for effect. 

Done - went together OK, but my choice of topside blue was a bit too dark (Tamiya Sea Blue) and my blu-tak soft edges were a bit hit and miss. 

Matt varnish has clouded in a few spots too. Hmmph. 

Nice bit of (new) light through old windows there (to borrom from Chris Rea) 

Not too bad overall. Decals managed to be fragile yet also so thick that umpteen coats of Microsol wouldn't get them to conform more than a smidgen. 

On it's little Frog-kit base, makes a change to get a base with the kit (ahem, Airfix! I remember when you used to give one with every kit!)