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1/48 Great Wall P-61B Black Widow "Lady of the Dark" (Work in Progress...)

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  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Wednesday, October 21, 2015 6:46 AM

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. 

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Wednesday, October 21, 2015 7:35 AM

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. 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    August 2013
Posted by Jay Jay on Wednesday, October 21, 2015 7:58 AM

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I'm finally retired. Now time I got, money I don't.

  • Member since
    February 2014
  • From: Michigan
Posted by silentbob33 on Wednesday, October 21, 2015 11:41 AM
Awesome work! Those exhaust stains look fantastic.

On my bench: Academy 1/35 UH-60L Black Hawk

  • Member since
    October 2015
Posted by TomcatGuy on Wednesday, October 21, 2015 12:28 PM

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

 

  • Member since
    June 2013
Posted by bvallot on Wednesday, October 21, 2015 3:39 PM

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.

On the bench:  

Tamiya F4U-1  Kenneth Walsh

 

  • Member since
    February 2007
  • From: Brunswick, Ohio
Posted by Buckeye on Thursday, October 22, 2015 11:32 AM

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

Mike

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 9:19 PM

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

   

        

 

 

 

  

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
Posted by 7474 on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 9:56 PM

Holly crap, that looks great. 

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by BrandonK on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 11:15 PM

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

 

BK

On the bench:

A lot !! And I mean A LOT!!

2024 Kits on deck / in process / completed   

                         14 / 5 / 2  

                              Tongue Tied

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Thursday, October 29, 2015 12:25 AM

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.

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Thursday, October 29, 2015 6:46 AM

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

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    August 2013
Posted by Jay Jay on Thursday, October 29, 2015 8:04 AM

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 I'm finally retired. Now time I got, money I don't.

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Charlotte, NC
Posted by panzer948 on Thursday, October 29, 2015 8:27 AM
Great work on the P-61. I built one of those Monogram Kits back in the 80s and thoroughly enjoyed it. I need to try one of these newer kits. I look forward to seeing your next one from the European Theater. Not as many examples of a P-61 from that part of the war. I'm sure you will create a excellent version to inspire us.

On the bench: Revell 1/32nd Junkers JU-88 A1

  • Member since
    September 2014
Posted by rooster513 on Thursday, October 29, 2015 9:16 AM

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

-Andy

  • Member since
    June 2013
Posted by bvallot on Thursday, October 29, 2015 1:47 PM

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. =]

On the bench:  

Tamiya F4U-1  Kenneth Walsh

 

  • Member since
    February 2014
  • From: Michigan
Posted by silentbob33 on Thursday, October 29, 2015 3:03 PM
Awesome job! I hope mine looks half as good when I get around to building it.

On my bench: Academy 1/35 UH-60L Black Hawk

  • Member since
    March 2013
Posted by patrick206 on Thursday, October 29, 2015 4:33 PM

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

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Thursday, October 29, 2015 9:44 PM

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.

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    June 2013
Posted by bvallot on Thursday, October 29, 2015 9:56 PM

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

On the bench:  

Tamiya F4U-1  Kenneth Walsh

 

  • Member since
    August 2009
  • From: MOAB, UTAH
Posted by JOE RIX on Friday, October 30, 2015 7:31 AM

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

"Not only do I not know what's going on, I wouldn't know what to do about it if I did". George Carlin

  • Member since
    August 2013
Posted by Jay Jay on Friday, October 30, 2015 10:56 AM

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 I'm finally retired. Now time I got, money I don't.

  • Member since
    February 2007
  • From: Brunswick, Ohio
Posted by Buckeye on Friday, October 30, 2015 11:18 AM

Outstanding! Bow Down

Mike

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Tumwater, WA.
Posted by M. Brindos on Saturday, October 31, 2015 10:46 PM

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

- Mike Brindos "Lost Boy"

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Naples, FL
Posted by tempestjohnny on Sunday, November 1, 2015 5:37 AM
Another absolute beauty by the lawdog modeling machine. Your WIP is always a pleasure to watch and learn. I personally have almost completely switched to tamiya paints because of seeing what you can do with them. Thanks for your tutorial John

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Sunday, November 1, 2015 5:49 AM

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.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Sunday, November 1, 2015 7:58 AM
Boy howdy that's nice. i hope the guy in Reading, PA are seeing this. Light a fire under there butts to get the restoration moving.

Marc  

  • Member since
    October 2015
Posted by GazzaS on Sunday, November 1, 2015 11:53 AM

Joe,

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

 

Gary

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Monday, November 2, 2015 7:53 PM
Thanks guys. Bish, I've been using a silver Sharpie for years. It works on all colors. I'm not familiar with the Testors markers.

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Northern California
Posted by jeaton01 on Monday, November 2, 2015 8:41 PM

Another great one, Joe.

John

To see build logs for my models:  http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

 

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