1to1scale Posted June 4, 2018 Share Posted June 4, 2018 (edited) I have fond memories of building the Monogram P-61 Black Widow when I was a kid, probably clouded by 35 years of time. But, I always loved that aircraft, that gigantic gloss black twin that captured my pre-teen mind. A few days ago, Mike browsed through my trunk, plucked out two kits, and handed me this beauty in trade, and I dont regret a thing!Hobby Boss P-61B Black Widow - 83209Eduard - 32769 interior setEduard - 32770 Seat belt set Eduard - Mask Set True Details - 32018 wheel setSuperscale International - MS320262AMS Resin prop kit. Aviaonix Cockpit set Wow, the box art for this plane...well, is garbage. Wrong colors on the nose art, wrong tail number (239408), wrong colors in general. Thankfully the plastic inside is much better. If Hobby Boss did 10 minutes of googling, they would have seen that this lady was blue, not red, also that unit used red cowl flaps and spinners. Not too much to ask for the last combat kill of the war.Picture taken in 1948 at a boneyard, the airplane was scrapped shortly afterward. The blue lady (faded).This pic shows the lady's sister, with red cowl flaps and spinners.This picture shows some later repairs over the artwork (tape), but the cowl flaps and spinners appear blackThe decal sheet appears to be correct for a particular period, but an argument can be made for black cowl flaps and spinners. Edited June 6, 2018 by 1to1scale ziggyfoos, MikeMaben, Gazzas and 6 others 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Maxim Posted June 4, 2018 Share Posted June 4, 2018 (edited) Nice project. I think the black cowls and spinners look better. Anyone know what the markings are on the P-61 running up are? Edited June 4, 2018 by Maxim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wackyracer Posted June 4, 2018 Share Posted June 4, 2018 Looking forward to following this one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Maxim Posted June 4, 2018 Share Posted June 4, 2018 I just love the off road tread on the nose gear! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziggyfoos Posted June 4, 2018 Share Posted June 4, 2018 Anyone know what the markings are on the P-61 running up are? 'Bat' Out 'A Hell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziggyfoos Posted June 4, 2018 Share Posted June 4, 2018 I have fond memories of building the Monogram P-61 Black Widow when I was a kid, probably clouded by 35 years of time. Also looking for, but striking out on the AMS Resin prop kit. Same here with fondness of the P-61 originating from the Monogram P-61 kit (it was the first kit I ever built). I have all the 1/32 stuff but not got around to it. Will imagine mine getting built as I watch yours here. For the props, Relish also has them available (and in stock even at the moment): http://www.relishmodels.co.uk/relish-resins-1-32-p-61-black-widow-propellers-and-spinners.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dukie99 Posted June 4, 2018 Share Posted June 4, 2018 Excellent choice. I have one in the stash and initially thought that would be my choice for the GB, so I will definitely following your progress. I don't know if you are aware but Mr.Paint does a US WWII night fighter black and my guess it is designed for the P-61. I have tried it but I have used Mr.Paint on my last two builds for the GBs and this is good stuff. The wheels on the P-61 are the same as on the B-25, so Eduard resin wheels for the B-25 would also be an option. I used them for my B-25 and they are great but I do not know how they would fit the kit gear. Looking forward to your progress. Cheers, David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1to1scale Posted June 4, 2018 Author Share Posted June 4, 2018 Same here with fondness of the P-61 originating from the Monogram P-61 kit (it was the first kit I ever built). I have all the 1/32 stuff but not got around to it. Will imagine mine getting built as I watch yours here.For the props, Relish also has them available (and in stock even at the moment):http://www.relishmodels.co.uk/relish-resins-1-32-p-61-black-widow-propellers-and-spinners.html Thanks, I may order the nose and exhaust, but I am hoping to find the AMS prop, it looks sharper and has better detail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1to1scale Posted June 4, 2018 Author Share Posted June 4, 2018 (edited) Excellent choice. I have one in the stash and initially thought that would be my choice for the GB, so I will definitely following your progress. I don't know if you are aware but Mr.Paint does a US WWII night fighter black and my guess it is designed for the P-61. I have tried it but I have used Mr.Paint on my last two builds for the GBs and this is good stuff. The wheels on the P-61 are the same as on the B-25, so Eduard resin wheels for the B-25 would also be an option. I used them for my B-25 and they are great but I do not know how they would fit the kit gear. Looking forward to your progress. Cheers, David I'm actually going to use Badger Stynylrez primer as my finish, I have both the matte and gloss that I will experiment with. My biggest challenge will be having a space big enough to spray this giant bird. The one thing that is apparent is that these planes weathered to a flat finish very quickly. Edited June 4, 2018 by 1to1scale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn M Posted June 4, 2018 Share Posted June 4, 2018 (edited) love the 'widow and will watch with interest Edited June 4, 2018 by Shawn M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerhard Posted June 4, 2018 Share Posted June 4, 2018 Wow, following this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1to1scale Posted June 4, 2018 Author Share Posted June 4, 2018 A little more research... Another photo taken from a film, shows colors, which for years were misinterpreted as red. This photo shows the Lady in 1949, being de-commissioned at Clark AFB. 548th Night Fighter Squadron Northrop P-61B-2-NO Black Widow 42-39408 Lady In the Dark Sent to reclamation at Clark Field, Philippines Jun 6, 1949 / Source, United States Army Air Forces photograph. CANicoll, BradG and Uncarina 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1to1scale Posted June 4, 2018 Author Share Posted June 4, 2018 Decals, pretty good, maybe the blue is a little dark, and the beam on the flashlight should be lighter (white?). Shawn M 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn M Posted June 4, 2018 Share Posted June 4, 2018 yeah a little white sprayed over the beam or an oil filter would bring it up I'd leave the blue, on the black it will really pop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vandy 1 VX 4 Posted June 4, 2018 Share Posted June 4, 2018 For the AMS props just p.m. Harold directly here on LSP. also don't forget to order the fixed upper turret as it is different shape Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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