Have a great trip. Looking forward to more updates when you return.

BK

Thanks BK. Not sure what happened to the pics in that last post, but hopefully its sorted now.

I am hoping to visit the museum and cemetery at Arnhem while there, so that's the bit I am looking forward to. And no doubt I will have lots of catching up to do.

Sorry for not posting on here for a bit guys. After I got back from my break it took me a few days before getting back into things. And then I decided just to push on through and finish it. But first, a couple of progress stages.

First up was the painting. Nothing to exciting, a black underside topped off with a black top.

Then it was time to add the decals and engines. There were red decal stripes for the cowlings, but I decided to mask and paint so they matched the spinners. I used Insignia red. I am not sure if its a WW2 shade, but it matched the period colour pics I could find better than plain red.

I used a set of print scale decals for Cooper's Snooper of the 548th NFS on Iwo Jima. I have a few sets of Print Scale decals but had not use any yet. I had read a few negative comments lately so was a but wary. But they went down really well. They did feel rather fragile, but despite a few touchy moments, I had no issues with them.

 Then finally add the wheels and props and do some weathering. I was talking to GM earlier in the thread. He had a relative who served with P-61's in Europe. And he was saying how clean and shiny they were. But as mine is a PTO bird, I did wonder if that might have a different effect on the aircraft. But checking some photo's, they seemed mostly to be very lightly weathering, just a little chipping here and there. So I went for a light touch with minimal chipping but I did tone down the shine by spraying a mix of Alclad clear gloss and semi gloss. Exhaust staining was done with Xtracolour exhaust, the first time I have used this, my usual paint for this is Tamiya smoke.

I made the base myself. Its the first time I have cut and routed a round base, and its a bit rough around the edge in some places, I need to learn how to rout against the grain. But its nice to be able to do this sort of thing myself.

And there you have it. Not the best aircraft I have built. But given the age and the mix and match AM, I am pretty pleased with it. And nice to do something different. Next up will be something more familiar, a Bf 109, even if it is a larger scale.

Thanks for all the comments guys, much appreciated as always

Very nicely done, I like it very much!  ill be following your 109 build as well, looking forward to it.

Toshi

Thanks Toshi. Just like the P-61, the 109 is in a Gb but I will also be doing a WiP thread.

Congratulations Bish - that's a very nice lookin' Black Widow! Good luck with your next builds and have a nice day!

Paweł

Thanks Pawel, and you.

Nice finish Bish!! Man I've seen your other builds and this one stacks up well against your past work. Nice work on the base as well. I have yet to make any display bases for any of my builds. I've thought about it...............but aint done nuthin'!

Thanks Joe. I guess the base is just a habit from diorama's, and I find it makes things a lot easier for display and moving the model. Plus, I don't have to worry about adding weight to tail sitters. I will be doing a similar base to this for my 109, so this was a good chance to practice.

Bish,

Just a question on the P-61;  What is the significance of the red stripes atop the wings ?  I realize that the real a/c had them but why are they painted there ?

Jay, I am not 100% certain, but I believe they mark the areas were it is safe to walk on the wing.

Thanks Bish, just curious about that

Very cool, Bish! Proves that these old molds can shine with some tlc!

Nice build!  The thing about black finishes: you dont need washes. LOL

She turned out great Bish! Love the model and the base.

Jay Jay: Yeah, Bish is right there, it's the safe area for the crews to walk on the wing.

Most excellent, sir!

Most excellent finish, Bish. Very nice. I like that alot!!!

BK

Excellent job, Bish!  I really like how you breathed new life in this kit.  Your detailing and finish are a good contrast to all the guys who grouse about this old girl.  I'm like you, I built it as a kid (in the old MPC 3-version boxing), and occasionally I think about picking one up on eBay or at a show.  You show that the kit can be built into a nice model of a Widow.  Well done!

Thanks guys.

Gamera, thanks for the conformation. I was not to sure if that's what they were.

GM, thanks, and thanks for the advice of the weathering.

allan, I have read about using dark grey washes for black. But there were not recessed panel line to put a wash in, just lots of small rivets, but looking at lots of photo's, black aircraft to look just, well, black.

baron, pick one up if you can. A couple of years ago I re built the old Airfix F-86, it was the first kit I had ever built back when I was 9. On that I scratch built the pit, its nice to be able to put new learned skills to these old kits as well as see how things have changed. Its also nice to have a challenge now and again.

And thanks to everyone else, its much appreciated.

Nice job Bish.  One of my favorite subjects.  Thanks for taking us along..

Joe

Thanks Joe.

Nice work with that ancient kit! I wonder why on earth did you grab to it? Anyway, the decal choice is fine, and if I recall right, also Micro-Scale has done the subject?

Best regards from Finland!

Kari Virkkala, IPMS Finland Fi 479

Thanks Redcap. It was a gift from a very good friend on the forum. Its not normally my choice of subject, but it was fun to do somthing i would not normally build, even if its not one of my best.

Bish

 Its not normally my choice of subject, but it was fun to do something  would not normally build, even if its not one of my best.

 

Looks mighty fine to me.  Love the panel line definition

Wow ! Bish you really did that old kit justice it looks spot on! Very nicely done Sir! There are only 7 left in the world . The one in China has been left outside and is crushing itself as it corrodes away. On a brighter note Mid Atlantic Air Museum should have there restored one flying soon. Again a great looking build,you got some mad skillz!