David - got the riveting done and have moved on to adding the stowage, hull details and tools. Lots of tiny parts - definitely a slow stretch right now.
Did paint the kit engine even though it will disappear into the bowels of the Val never to be seen again – sort of an experiment using Vallejo ‘smoke’ for the oil stains and real powdered rust mixed into some Tamiya Red-Brown for the rust.
Thanks for the encouragement

– I will keep plugging,
Konrad