On the left is the early plans and on the right the late plans showing the nose areas. The most notable item that is different, is the canopy. The canopy on the late is about 2” longer so it extends forward 1” and to the back of the fuselage 1”. It also has its highest point along its top line moved forward in the canopy shape. For me the late canopy is more appealing. When you compare the canopy in the picture of Yoshioka’s aircraft (third image) you will notice that his canopy extends forward like the late canopy but is shorter on the back like the early plans. The plans show a pretty clear view of the differences and explain why the late canopy has a pronounced peak that starts about 1/3 of the way back and along the back area of the canopy to blend in with the fuselage sides. The early canopy is more rounded and looks like the first Blue Angel kit seen in the fourth image. The late canopy can be seen installed in the fifth image.

It might be hard to see in the images posted but the early plans show a firewall that is well back from the engine making the fuel tank touch the wing. The nose gear mount is changed from the early firewall mount to a belly mount in the late. Both plans show a beam mounted engine and on the late the nose ring is tied in with the beam mounts.

To be continued…