The figures actually are crap. I did some tricks I learned when I was painting D&D miniatures, and that helped, but they really are bad. I wish I bent the arms before gluing and painting. They're so robotic! Anyway, read up on figure painting techniques and you'll make 'em passable like I did. Three colors for the skin tone, never use black or white, shade in the creases of the clothing, and think about who you're painting them to be.
Anywho... another minor update. I know folks want to see the lit cockpit, so I attached the pieces and started gouging out the sides of the neck to allow the fiber to pass. I still need to put in a front piece of the console since it's crooked.
While I had the CA and dremel handy, I installed the exhaust pieces.
Once this glue is set I'll be sanding down the tops of the exhaust pieces. Lesson learned, if you're going to do the exhaust and the panther decks, do the exhaust first. Sanding those exhaust vents with the panther decks in place is awkward... oh yeah, and a light test