I would like to add the goal for me, with the building of the kit, is to increase the level of detail without completely rebuilding the kit. The major components will be those of the kit whenever possible! If possible. Sometimes this is not possible, however. The center float has already been a challenge! The idea with this approach is for the kit to still be a part of the final outcome; therefore one still sees the kit but in a more detailed way. This is my wish.
The major exception will be the pilot and gunner cockpits which do not exist in the kit at all. For those two open areas I will be employing brass PE from Reheat of the UK, a generic USN set of seats, seat belts and IP.
To continue with the cowling, I am thinking to add a ring of styrene with incised separations to create the cooling flaps.