Stunning work on the pit Dog as usual. I have to say that your pits are simply outstanding. Yes black is a PITA to properly weather and you did a fantastic job at representing the fading and weathering. It's always good to go less as you did with the chipping cause it shows up big time over black. 

I've been waiting to hear about how the fit goes and apparently it falls together very well so I just may pick up one of these unusual examples soon. 

I've never tried to airbrushing the wing walks on like that but I love your results, I'm going to have to give it a try some day. And the 'black' looks great, love how it came out. 

Amazing results on the wing walks , clever technique there.  As usual, your pit is first rate and the exterior paint is very convincing, a super job. Thank you so much for sharing the how-to's.

You pre-shaded and then painted in black? I've seen it all now.

Great job painting here Joe!  Very clever with the Black paint scheme. You definitely have the right idea behind going about this color.  Flawlessly executed too!!  Very often people get stuck in the paint by number game.  I really love seeing a paint scheme come together like you've done here.  It's without a doubt my favorite part of modeling.  =]

Can't wait to see what's next.

Outstanding work on the wing walk areas and you really nailed those exhaust stains.  Really looks great.

Mike

Thanks for the words.  Well, I think I'm done. It's the 1/48 Great Wall "revised" edition of the P-61 B-2, in the markings of "Lady In The Dark" from the 548th Night Fighter Squadron. In this plane, it's widely believed (not confirmed) that on August 14th 1945, Capt. Lee Kendall and R/O Lt. John Sheerer scored the last kill of WW2, claiming a Ki-44 Tojo without shooting a single round.  Its my understanding the Japanese pilot saw the Widow pouncing and during evasive manuevering, it ended up in the drink. 

I built this one on the heels of Great Wall's Fw 189 which was reportedly their first plane kit.  I wanted to see what improvements were made if any. I also wanted to see how it compared to the 41 year old Monogram kit.  This one is light years ahead of the Monogram version in easy of build and detail.  Apparently there are some accuracy issues, but hey....it looks like a P-61 to me.  This thing was truely a pleasure.  On the downside, the landing gears are kind of wobbly and the front gear is short.  The props and hubs are one piece and I didn't like the wheels (personal preference).  This kit did not come with drop tanks?  They aren't even on the instructions.  I had to hork them from an old Monogram kit.  Also, the decals were thick like Scotch tape.....worst ever. They even scoffed at Solvaset.  GW, if your listening, have someone else make your decals. 

On this project, I ended up using Quickboost props, Eduard Brassin wheels (very nice), Quickboost belly cannons, and Print Scale decals as they were the only ones I could find for LITD (the latter for the aforementioned reason).  Print Scales were horribly fraglile and I needed to substitute an Aeromaster P-38 sheet for the insignias.  I was having Techmod nightmares.  I also corrected the front gear by lengthening it at the top with a piece of sprue. 

Black has always been a challenge to paint and weather convincingly, at least for me.  As I previously stated, I experimented with different shades of grey and employed my usually streaking.  After my decaling debacle, I decided to use a Grey Flory wash in the panel lines to represent the Iwo Jima coral dust. It left the overall look kind of grey and dusty which I found appealing for this particular aircraft.  Well, I think I captured the look I was going for. What do you folks think? 

I can tell you on my next Widow, and there will be a next Widow, it will be olive drab over neutral grey and in the European Theater. 

Thanks for following...comments and criticisms welcome...

Joe

Holly crap, that looks great. 

Stunning, simply beautiful work Joe. Again, I am truly impressed. NICE !!!

BK

WOW!!! You just knocked another one right outta the ballpark Joe!!! Beautiful!!!

I am wondering though if you'd consider it worthwhile to replace the landing gear? I see two sets on Sprue Brothers for about seventeen bucks, which is a little high for me but better than having a heavy model collapse.

Stunning is an understatement! I was blown away by the paint, details and weathereing.

Geeeez  that looks great !  How can one critisize perfection?

I've not been a fan of the night fighter p-61 until now.  I gotta get one and aspire to emulate your excellent results....as if.

Another beauty Lawdog! Really like the way you pulled off the black. Thanks for sharing!

Asside from the obvious great finish you have here, I'm always impressed by the bases you put together for your builds. It really helps the plane come to life.  What did you use for the concrete sections?

And again, nicely done Joe.  Looks like a fun build. =]

Joe -

This one is another really great job, finish and detailing all first rate. You're WIP texts are just so informative about technique, materials and finish details, I learn something new with every build you post here. 

Thanks for all of your time and efforts, you're a very positive influence for so many members of the forums. 

Patrick

Thanks all....your words are very kind. Britt, the base is actually one of the first bases I've ever made. It the only one I had big enough for the P-61 so I used it for the pics. It's merely a ceramic floor tile with painted floor molding mitered and glued around the edge. The tarmac is the back of a notebook pad painted to look like a concrete tarmac and the grass is sawdust painted to look like grass.

No Kidding?!?  Dash cunning of you.  =]  I'll keep that in mind.

Joe, That there is one absolutely stunning build on your part. As per your norm, the cockpit and engines are beautifully done. It appears to me that you are on to something there as to creating a weathered black finish. It looks great. I'm going to keep your technique in mind for when I build a PBY Black Cat. And, yes, you have definitely steered me towards picking up one of the GW Widows. I also like your exhaust stains. They are nicely executed. Overall, your P-61 is simply impressive and certainly inspiring.

Joe, I want to thank you very much for taking the time and effort to share your builds with us. As well as presenting your thorough step by step techniques. Your skills and techniques are top notch and I, for one, have benefited from them.

Chers, Joe

I too have benefited from your skills and techniques and I saved this one in my "how to " file for future referance.  Thank you again for posting this valuable information.

Outstanding!

Mike

That is a phenominal paint job, Joe! Black is so hard to capture and you nailed it! That is a gorgeous plane. Seriously gorgeous.

That another cracking looking build Joe, some great work and lts of great tips.

I was interested to se how you did the colour. At our model club meting this week one of the guys brought along a WiP 32nd Ju 88 nightfighter. When i asked how he got the black finish so nice he expalined he didn't use any black. But it made complete sense to build up the colour rather than start with black and try to tone it down. I did my Airfix P-61 gloss black and i can certainly see how much better your method is. Duely noted.

I was interested to note the use of the silver sharpie as well. Well, actually Joe Rix pointed it out as we have had a discussion about the Silver testors enamel markers. Have you used this on a lighter scheme. Testors anything is impossable to get over here but the sharpie markers are easy to find.

Joe,

     Your P-61 is simply stunning and a pleasure to view.

Gary

Another great one, Joe.