A further bit of progress, this time on the cockpit cut-out and vertical fin.
The first step was to measure and where the canopy opening must be cut. This was confirmed by cutting out one of the 1/48 profiles and "overlaying" the cutout over the fuselage halves. Then, after careful marking, the excess plastic was removed. The filler you see is to eliminate the F4U cowl flaps and openings.
SAAB B 17A In 1/48 Scale
An Otaki Corsair horizontal stabilizer/elevator assembly looked about the right size for the vertical fin so one was measured, cut, and filed into shape:
SAAB B 17A In 1/48 Scale
This will fair nicely into the fuselage, and actually sits in the original opening that resulted when the F4U fin was removed. It's in a different position, of course, and there is some structure to be built up on the fuselage before fitting the fin. I also trimmed the very aft section of the fuselage to start achieving the pointed aft fairing of the real SAAB.
SAAB B 17A In 1/48 Scale
SAAB B 17A In 1/48 Scale