Ah Eric...the things that we have seen, you and I.      Bet most folk don't realize the jungle is full of bats...that eat the bugs...that eat us. 

For years I've saved special domestic tissue wrapping at Christmas time...generally after it's been torn from a gift and wadded up into a ball to be thrown across the room at some unwary family guest...traditions.  That's how I came into possession of this particular lime-green tissue...not much of it...only used it once before...but doesn't take much to cover a peanut model.  I thought it would look well adorning PETE.

Neal

Pylon and pontoon looks great.  I like the lime!

Looks great! Just something about a good looking pontoon/float.  This is really making me move this plane up on my to do list!

Thanks, Eric.  Here's an interesting "colorized" photo of an all-inclusive resort.  That white awning is where one gets their unlimited supply of shaved-ice drinks, burgers, etc.  For some reason, every time I see a photo like this, I instantly think of bugs...insects...millions of them...even billions!  I KNOW they're in there...waiting for a meal to ambush!  Every night they stage a psyops campaign just to terrorize defenseless humans!  Ever seen a puddle of rainwater rise up in a cloud before your very eyes?  So many bugs they're equipped with navigation lights!  Chewing mandibles...juice-sucking stickers!  Guy went out last night on LP.  Used to be six feet tall...now look at him...just a raisin in the sun.  All those sons of Nippon used to be big strappin' fellas...'til they started hangin' out in the jungle.  I tell ya...it's bad business, that is. You should see the ones further in-country!    

Neal

pontoon pylon....

pontoon....

Note the aft windscreen configuration of the aircraft in the painting....

Biplanes are always a real nostalgic joy...sometimes a challenge to construct...but usually well worth the effort.  For me...the build of a historical aircraft is always a "total experience."    I love the history of it all.  Ever visited Rome...the Colosseum?  Did you pause to reflect upon the humanity that had walked those corridors in the past...touched those stones?  These models are as close as most of us will ever get to touching history...communicating with ghosts.

Speaking of recovery (last post), wings apparently were capable of folding on Pete...although I've yet to come across a photo of such a condition.  Here's an illustration of what it may have looked like.  Recovery apparently dictated the gunner climb forward onto the upper wing in order to attach the hoisting cable while the pilot remained at the controls to maneuver into position for the hookup...as well as prevent the aircraft from drifting into the recovery vessel.

I'm down to the "enormous" pontoon construction....

Neal