![\"Issue](\"https:\/\/www.disneyexperience.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/mfbj12_01.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe main portion of the lower hull is finally completed, covering all of the metal framework.<\/p>\n Now, I can start focusing on additional details like the recessed machinery, the turrets, extra surface details\/parts, and painting.<\/p>\n In this month’s build, I needed to clean out a couple of holes, requiring the use of a 5\/64 drill bit (I bought a whole drill bit set<\/a>) and a wire gauge drill bit. The wire gauge drill bits<\/a> were found on Amazon<\/em> since I couldn’t find a store that carried these teeny-tiny drill bits.<\/p>\n As always . . . CLEAN EVERY PART with warm water and mild soap. You never know what chemicals have been left behind that may hinder the adhesion of paint and glue.<\/p>\n I started the assembly by gluing the tiny magnets and metal pins to complete the landing gear hatches. Most of the doors fit perfectly, but one had to be sanded to get it to fit just right. And, I had to use a 5\/64 drill bit to clear out one of the holes for the metal pin. Other than that, everything glued in like a charm.<\/p>\n The rear machinery and recessed area were quick and easy. But, the gunner seats were pretty tricky because they are so tiny. I got them assembled and ready for painting except for the seats’ rear supports, grips, and control mounts which were all purposely left off for easier painting.<\/p>\n The turret rings each comprised of three parts, four stickers, and a wired LED bulb. The only tricky part here was trying to get the LED to stay in place while the two halves of the turret are assembled.<\/p>\n The only part of the gunner chairs that were not painted were the rear seat supports. I purposely wanted to keep those gray. The rest of the chair parts were painted with a black primer.<\/p>\n When dry, I added some gray and silver touches, and even painted in the red view screen. I used semi-gloss varnish on the seat cushions, and I used gloss varnish on the control mounts and the view screens.<\/p>\n To glue in the control grips, I used a wire gauge drill bit to clean out the tiny hole in the seats.<\/p>\n Screwing the gunner seats into place was very tricky. The seat assemblies are fragile, and you have to apply a considerable amount of force to keep them in place. It took some time and patience, but they were eventually seated into place. Alternatively, I suppose the seats could have been glued into place.<\/p>\n I also forgot to glue the seat supports to the backs of the chairs. Luckily, they could be glued through the narrow end of the turrets.<\/p>\n The second recess was painted just like the first. It was painted with a black primer, and then lightly sprayed with a gray primer. With both recesses completed, I could now paint them at the same time.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nSupplies<\/h2>\n
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