Hi Kevin,
Sorry to hear that you have been unwell.

Hope you're over it now.

SNAP!
I used to cycle over to Woolworths in Ruislip, to check out the latest offerings.
Like you, fast building was the name of the game!
Sometimes, the decals went on before the paint was properly dry.
Next, the poor thing was attached to a string, with a bolt or heavy washer on the end of the line.
Then ensued the flight test, like those tethered diesel engined flying wings that the other kids flew in circles at the playing fields.
Mine had to land in the front garden grass.
Having survived this, they went on cotton threads, suspended from the roof beams in the loft with all the others.
I never had a Pe-2. I'd say they were not on the market before I stopped my obsession.
As I said to DogTailRed2, I now have a cupboard full of unmade kits, which I haven't had the confidence to start.
What a far cry from the old days! Are you still building?
Keep well.