Mojo evidence submitted below.
So, yes, after ages of getting ready to get ready, I started.
The cowling is the Vector FM-2 replcaement cowling for the Hobby Boss kit (Not the complete engine and forward fuselage, just the cowling). Getting the part separated from the huge casting plug (visible in the preceding post) was a tricky business, but I managed to get it done without damage to the opening, That was the first milestone in and of itself.
The engine is a Vector R-1820G mini-kit. You can see I have also painted the cylinder heads and barrels black, because that’s how they appear in these aircraft (as near as I can tell). The engine is supposed to be an Wright R-1820-40B or an R-1820-G205 depending on source, though I think it’s the latter. For this one, I’m going with this kind of look . . .
though I will probably use brass wire for the ignition wires.
If I can get the engine painted and positioned (but not glued in yet) this weekend I’ll be happy. I do plan to give it some time.