Stage 3 - Includes frames 12, 12a, keel plate B1, Nakajima B5N torpedo bomber kit, further island parts and glazing for the bridge.
Nakajima B5N (Kate) Carrier-borne Torpedo BomberThe B5N series of aircraft (dubbed Kate by the Allies), was the standard torpedo bomber of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) for much of World War II. While the B5N was substantially faster and more capable that its Allied counterparts, by 1941 it was close to obsolescence. Nevertheless, the B5N operated throughout the whole war, due to the delayed development of its successor, the B6N. In the early part of the Pacific War, flown by well-trained IJN aircrews and as part of well co-ordinated attacks, the B5N achieved particular success at the battles of Pearl Harbour, Coral Sea, Midway, and Santa Cruz Islands.
Although primarily used as carrier-borne aircraft, on occasion the B5N was also used as a land-based bomber. The B5N had a crew of three: Pilot, Navigator/Bombardier/Observer and Radio Operator/Gunner.
Start stage 3 by adding base B1 and frame 12, you will need to glue the two 12a frame doublers to the front of frame 12, setting them to the correct height as shown in the steps.
After removing any burrs or mould lines from the cast parts for the island these parts were then added.
The photo-etched brass window section of the bridge should be gently shaped along the fold lines and then glued to the inside panels of the bridge.
The island and its additional parts should be primed with metal primer and then painted before adding the glazing panels to the windows, I used Tamiya TS-66 Kure grey.
The glazing panels need to be cut as per the instructions and then added to the inside of the window frames.
The remaining bridge casting's which have been pre-painted are then added to the assembly.
The torpedo bomber kit was assembled as per the instructions, the folding wings are not intended to be operable.
I left off the torpedo, antenna, propeller, canopy and wheels for ease of painting later on.
That's it for stage 3, carefully store the assembled and any remaining parts.
Future stages:Stage 4 - Includes frames 9,10,11, anti-aircraft gun turret & base, turned metal gun barrels, search lights, and island detail parts, plus two paint brushes.
Stage 5 - Contains frame 17, base plate B3, along with further island castings, photo-etch ladders and set of parts to construct the first dive bomber aircraft - Aichi D3A "Val".
Stage 6 - Contains two 5-W keel sections, reinforcing plates, paravane platform & paravane's, winch and brass photo-etched railings for the island.
Stage 7 - Contains frames 18 & 19, bottom plate B4, plus another Zero aircraft kit.
Tomick attached the following image(s):