Completed 10/27/17 Monogram P-61 Black Widow

Ugh just seeing the picture makes me cringe.  Oh the canopy.  I hear you on flickr.  I used Imgur but I didn't figure out how to send "good" photos.  Just figured out how to post images with Flickr

Working on one right now.  The canopy......

Here is my first set of AM parts.  This is a resin Vector VDS48-044 P-61 Blackwidow Engines and Cowls set.  I utilized this very set on my first build and it was not only challenging but extremely detailed.  I highly recommend this set as the original OOB engines are as usual for that era, lacking at best.

Greatmaker

Ugh just seeing the picture makes me cringe.  Oh the canopy.  I hear you on flickr.  I used Imgur but I didn't figure out how to send "good" photos.  Just figured out how to post images with Flickr

 

Toshi

Toshi

To my fellow forum members,

First off, I finally figured out how to post photos as oppose to links from Flickr.  I took some advice from members here and tried several photo sharing sites.  One that I really like and that works for me is Post Image.org.  Now that I figured out how to post photos via Post Image.org on my IPhone 7 Plus, I am most ecstatic.  

As for the Monogram 1/48 P-61 Blackwidow, this kit was my very first build here on FSM Forum approximately two years and eight months ago.  I also had purchased a plethora of AM parts.  This was a foolish mistake for a novice first time builder.  It was some what of a challenge as well as a disaster.

I am building this kit in celebration (A little early) of my three year anniversary here.  I’ve made so many friends from around the world, I am blessed to have you all following my humble builds.  Below is a photo, yes a photo and not a link of a original unopened plastic sealed 1977 Blackwidow.  The molds for this kit should be in theory, in great condition.  

So sit back and please enjoy my three year anniversary Blackwidow build in which was my first build here on FSM Forum.  Thank you forum members for you support and dedication in following my threads.

Toshi

 

 

First, congrats my good friend on "almost" 3 years. It definitely shows you have been building for 3 years straight. Now, for your celebration build...you are going to kill it! I will be here until the end.

out04

Working on one right now.  The canopy......

 

Toshi

Thank you for sharing the last 3 years with us.  It would not be the same without you.  I've enjoyed watching your builds.  I hope the next 3 years have fewer problems, and more builds.

Hunter

 

 

Toshi

To my fellow forum members,

First off, I finally figured out how to post photos as oppose to links from Flickr.  I took some advice from members here and tried several photo sharing sites.  One that I really like and that works for me is Post Image.org.  Now that I figured out how to post photos via Post Image.org on my IPhone 7 Plus, I am most ecstatic.  

As for the Monogram 1/48 P-61 Blackwidow, this kit was my very first build here on FSM Forum approximately two years and eight months ago.  I also had purchased a plethora of AM parts.  This was a foolish mistake for a novice first time builder.  It was some what of a challenge as well as a disaster.

I am building this kit in celebration (A little early) of my three year anniversary here.  I’ve made so many friends from around the world, I am blessed to have you all following my humble builds.  Below is a photo, yes a photo and not a link of a original unopened plastic sealed 1977 Blackwidow.  The molds for this kit should be in theory, in great condition.  

So sit back and please enjoy my three year anniversary Blackwidow build in which was my first build here on FSM Forum.  Thank you forum members for you support and dedication in following my threads.

Toshi

 

 

 

 

 

Toshi,

 

First, congrats my good friend on "almost" 3 years. It definitely shows you have been building for 3 years straight. Now, for your celebration build...you are going to kill it! I will be here until the end.

 

Toshi

Nice. I have this in the stash so keen to see how it builds up.

roony

Thank you for sharing the last 3 years with us.  It would not be the same without you.  I've enjoyed watching your builds.  I hope the next 3 years have fewer problems, and more builds.

 

No sir, I thank you for having me here first as a guest and now as a family member.  I’m overjoyed that you’ve been watching my builds and following my WIP threads for the last three years, thank you sir!  I see nothing but happiness and prosperity in the future.  And yes, more builds it will be.  Thank you for the support you’ve been giving me.  

Toshi

Bish

Nice. I have this in the stash so keen to see how it builds up.

 

That’s very cool that you have this kit in your stash.  Is it like my kit?  An original 1977 set?  I will do my best to build this to the best of my meager abilities.  This should be a fun build as I purchased every single AM item ever made for this kit.  Stay tuned for my updates on the AM parts as I’m still trying to photograph the items.  My grandson just arrived so this photo session will cease and desists for an hour as he will be going to a indoor pool this afternoon.  I can then continue my photo shoot.  Thank you for the read and reply!

Toshi

Another Vector resin product that I’ve also utilized.  VDS48-045.  This set not only compliments the Vector VDS48-044 Engines and Cowls set, but just the propeller hubs are very cool looking compared to the OOB hubs.  I’ll do a side by side comparison during the WIP build.

Toshi

Toshi

 

 

Hunter

 

 

Toshi

To my fellow forum members,

First off, I finally figured out how to post photos as oppose to links from Flickr.  I took some advice from members here and tried several photo sharing sites.  One that I really like and that works for me is Post Image.org.  Now that I figured out how to post photos via Post Image.org on my IPhone 7 Plus, I am most ecstatic.  

As for the Monogram 1/48 P-61 Blackwidow, this kit was my very first build here on FSM Forum approximately two years and eight months ago.  I also had purchased a plethora of AM parts.  This was a foolish mistake for a novice first time builder.  It was some what of a challenge as well as a disaster.

I am building this kit in celebration (A little early) of my three year anniversary here.  I’ve made so many friends from around the world, I am blessed to have you all following my humble builds.  Below is a photo, yes a photo and not a link of a original unopened plastic sealed 1977 Blackwidow.  The molds for this kit should be in theory, in great condition.  

So sit back and please enjoy my three year anniversary Blackwidow build in which was my first build here on FSM Forum.  Thank you forum members for you support and dedication in following my threads.

Toshi

 

 

 

 

 

Toshi,

 

First, congrats my good friend on "almost" 3 years. It definitely shows you have been building for 3 years straight. Now, for your celebration build...you are going to kill it! I will be here until the end.

 

 

 

 

Thank you my good friend, yes an almost three year anniversary.  lol!  A little early but I got a good deal on this original 1977 sealed kit.  I hope that I can meet and exceed your expectation on the P-61 build.  And thank you so very much sir for your dedication to my WIP build thread of my Blackwidow.  As you wrote; “I will be here until the end”, I am most humbled that you would do so.

 

Toshi

 

You need not worry about my expectations sir...I have always enjoyed your WiP's. They are always informative, well thoughtout and just fun to watch you build. Enjoy friend! I'll be here

Toshi

 

Bish

Nice. I have this in the stash so keen to see how it builds up.

 

 

 

 

To Mr. Bish,

 

That’s very cool that you have this kit in your stash.  Is it like my kit?  An original 1977 set?  I will do my best to build this to the best of my meager abilities.  This should be a fun build as I purchased every single AM item ever made for this kit.  Stay tuned for my updates on the AM parts as I’m still trying to photograph the items.  My grandson just arrived so this photo session will cease and desists for an hour as he will be going to a indoor pool this afternoon.  I can then continue my photo shoot.  Thank you for the read and reply!

Toshi

 

It is the same boxing as yours, was a gift from across the pond. I have some AM for it, but not heard of that brand your useing.

This is a Scale Aircraft Landing Gear Conversion set 48058 for the P-61 Blackwidow.  I remember fondly that my first build, I had this set as well.  I originally assembled and used CA to attach the front landing gear.  This is all fine except I did the front landing gear assembly the Japanese way, backwards!  lol!  GMorrison pointed that out to me.  How could I fix this since it was glued on with CA?  I simply bent/twisted the landing gear to its appropriate direction, it did so without breaking since it‘s made out of white metal.  lol!  You live and you learn and in my case, I got lucky!

Toshi

Here‘s something I had not used on my first build.  1/48 Seatbelts 148533 Laser Advanced Technologies made in the Czech Republic.  I’ve used this product before and really enjoyed it for what it was.  It also comes with PE buckles.

Toshi

And of course, the ubiquitous Eduard PE set.  I tried my best to make due with the PE set on my first build but I was way over my head.  lol!  Here we have set 48382 interior and 48383 exterior sets.

Toshi

Toshi-  With how far you have come in your attention to detail and expertise in the last three years, I know you will turn the proverbial sows ear into a fantastic silk purse.  Will keep and eye on your progress with the widow.

Man oh man Toshi, you've got the AM parts for sure! lol 

Next up are products that I’ve never heard of or knew of till latter.  I originally hand painted all the canopies as I had never heard of masks.  So I’ll be using for the first time two products here.  Eduard Die Cut Masks EX075 for the canopies and a Quickboost QB 48 643 Gun Turret.  

Toshi

goldhammer

Toshi-  With how far you have come in your attention to detail and expertise in the last three years, I know you will turn the proverbial sows ear into a fantastic silk purse.  Will keep and eye on your progress with the widow.

 

You are way too kind in your words of praise for me.  I sir will do my best in turning the, as you wrote; “The proverbial sows ear into a fantastic silk purse”.  I just hope I don’t make myself look like a Jacka** of myself!  lol!  Thank you sir for following, supporting, and replying on my WIP threads all these three years.  I’m most humbled.

Toshi

Hunter

Man oh man Toshi, you've got the AM parts for sure! lol 

 

Toshi

We all know from experience how purchasing the newest kits with OOB PE, high parts count, and the latest technological advances are so exciting.  Plus on the other hand, the exorbitant prices these kits can exude out of our soul of which you might as well have sold to the devil.  lol!  I for one know this as my most expensive kit so far has to be my Tamiya 1/32 Mosquito.  Don’t get me wrong, it was well worth the cost as I was extremely excited building and sharing this kit with you all, my family!  

On the other side of the tracks, there are the classic kits that you just have to have out of nostalgia!  I’ve built two Monogram Blackwidow‘s as a child.  I built one P-61 approximately three years ago and this will be P-61 number four for me.  I did build a Hobby Boss P-61 last year but it came crashing down from my ceiling with my Revell 1/32 F-4G Phantom II Wild Weasel.  So that doesn’t count.  Or does it?  Ah, who cares, it’s in trash heaven by now.  

This is as many of you know by now an original boxed, still sealed circa 1977 kit, which is exciting and great as I purchased this, well Mrs. Toshi purchased this with her magical buying technique for really cheap.  How cheap?  $12.00 including S&H via eBay.  No one bid for this, the starting bid was $10.00.  Well as great as this sounds, there’s one thing that’s going to be moot in this old treasure, the decals.  So I wrote to Revell, actually emailed them via their parts site, and not only did they send new decals for me for free but they sent me a direction booklet as well of which I didn’t ask for and this puzzles me but I’m not complaining.  I’ll still try to use the Testors Decal Bonder Spray #9200 on the old decal sheet just for the fun of it.  I’ll see if it works in which in theory it should.  Thank you fox for this tip! OMG, I just realized, that makes the old decal sheet forty years old!!!

Toshi

 To my fellow forum members,

Never ever burn someone as karma is a b$&;:!  I first purchased a Blackwidow kit from eBay for some $20.00 some odd dollars not including S&H.  I read the description on the site which specifically said; “Complete kit”!  A week later I received a box with all parts loose as you see it.  No directions nor decals.  Parts were also missing like the entire clear spruce, OMG, no canopy.  Maybe that’s a good thing since the canopy is such a difficult fit!  lol!  Surprise surprise!  Karma.  Here I am, a few months later posting about this issue on a world wide forum.  Seller beware, always take care of your customers!  You’ll get great reviews as well as return customers.  If you don’t, people will be upset and now days post things on digital media that could go viral.  

Toshi

P.S. Some good can come out from this, at the very least I have some spare parts.  lol!  

OK..... I can stand by watching no longer.

This is the EXACT same kit, from the EXACT same mold's exept this is the 2015 RE-RE-RE-RE-release.

I built one back in 1975? ( I may be wrong but I think it's original release was 1974 ).... Whenever it came out was when I built it. Then in 1986 I built two more for friend's. 

So this will be my fourth time at the dance.

Toshi, If you dont mind I'm going to build right along with you this time. But mine will be OOB. No aftermarket stuff. I will start my own thread so I won't hijack your's. Besides...... I'm going to be a bit slower than you.( too much stuff going on with the new house....I might get confused and "accidentally" drywall it. )LOL

littletimmy

OK..... I can stand by watching no longer.

This is the EXACT same kit, from the EXACT same mold's exept this is the 2015 RE-RE-RE-RE-release.

I built one back in 1975? ( I may be wrong but I think it's original release was 1974 ).... Whenever it came out was when I built it. Then in 1986 I built two more for friend's. 

So this will be my fourth time at the dance.

Toshi, If you dont mind I'm going to build right along with you this time. But mine will be OOB. No aftermarket stuff. I will start my own thread so I won't hijack your's. Besides...... I'm going to be a bit slower than you.( too much stuff going on with the new house....I might get confused and "accidentally" drywall it. )LOL

 

I‘m not sure that 1977 was the year that this was released.  I don’t know why that year popped into my head.  You are communicating with a guy like me with post concussion syndrome so I’m not the most accurate forum member to get information from.  lol!  So I will side with you in that the original date of release was 1974 or 1975.  

Thank you so very much for this tandem build.  I’m most honored that you would think of me and my build.

Toshi

Toshi

 By posting on my thread, you are teaching me on how things should be or can be done, I can only learn from this.

It's actually going to be the other way around..... I'm going to watch you. That way I wont put the prop's where the wheel's go. LOL!

Hey Toshi, I'll be eagerly watching this build!  I'm sure you'll nail it.  Also, glad to see you've found a photo hosting site that you like.  Oh, and congrats on the anniversary! 

Cheers, Mark

Bish

 

 

Toshi

 

Bish

Nice. I have this in the stash so keen to see how it builds up.

 

 

 

 

To Mr. Bish,

 

That’s very cool that you have this kit in your stash.  Is it like my kit?  An original 1977 set?  I will do my best to build this to the best of my meager abilities.  This should be a fun build as I purchased every single AM item ever made for this kit.  Stay tuned for my updates on the AM parts as I’m still trying to photograph the items.  My grandson just arrived so this photo session will cease and desists for an hour as he will be going to a indoor pool this afternoon.  I can then continue my photo shoot.  Thank you for the read and reply!

Toshi

 

 

 

 

It is the same boxing as yours, was a gift from across the pond. I have some AM for it, but not heard of that brand your useing.

 

Toshi

P.S.  I’d be happy to purchase the AM parts for you and mail them out to you if you wish so.