Well, I have been tearing my hair out trying to learn this, but I think I'm making a little headway.  This is still a long way off and I don't see the primary modeling done  before our move to Florida at the middle of next month.  In case you've been wondering where I am, this is it... 

  I have been practicing with splines for the cockpit trim, and here is what I have.  This is far from a finished product and I'll probably scrap this and totally redo it with my new weapons in my 3d arsenal...