I will be watching this one!I would like to see how it compares to my Revellogram kit . Hopefully your  canopy pieces

will fit properly.

philo426

I will be watching this one!I would like to see how it compares to my Revellogram kit . Hopefully your  canopy pieces

will fit properly.

 

Toshi

Just to let forum members know, where I can find room for all my kits.  I've been given permission to hang my builds on the ceiling.  LOL!  There's only one rule, I can only hang my planes up in the den of which I turned into my building model kits room.

 This photo is only regards to my last two builds, Pappy Boyington's Corsair, and the Avro Lancaster.

Toshi

Cool! I like the Action Attitude that you posed them in.!

philo426

Cool! I like the Action Attitude that you posed them in.!

 

Toshi

What a great score.

seastallion53

What a great score.

 

Toshi

I've heard these are really great kits. I have a few GWH kits in the stash, but not the P-61. I'm looking forward to seeing this come together.

BK

I've been looking at this kit myself so I'll be following along. :)

Mike

This should be an interesting build look forward to it!

BrandonK

I've heard these are really great kits. I have a few GWH kits in the stash, but not the P-61. I'm looking forward to seeing this come together.

BK

 

I noticed that the PE looks identical to a PE of the Trumpeter kit.  Thanks for the visit.

Toshi

philo426

This should be an interesting build look forward to it!

 

Toshi

Yep!  I'll be watching this one as well.  I've got it on my pile of "to do" kits as well.  In fact, I was going to start it next but I really wanted to see what the AMT S-3 Viking kit was like.  I'm a fan of the S-3 so I started on that one first but I think the GWH P-61 will be next.  

The only thing that makes me nervous is the use of all the photo etch metal.  I'm not a big fan of that stuff in the least and I hate the fact that some kit manufactureres make you use them.  I'm going to leave off the wiring harnesses from the engines because, at the end of the day, I ain't gonna be peering into the engine cowlings while the model is sitting inside my display cabinet.  If there's any other PE that I can leave out, I will.  I am still looking forward to the build, though, because I heard it goes together nicely.

Eric

Buckeye

I've been looking at this kit myself so I'll be following along. :)

Mike

 

Toshi

Looking forward to this build Toshi. It's an aircraft that has some "sex appeal" in its dark, widow dressing.

On a personal note, congratulations on becoming a grandfather!

As far as your daughter graduating from Kent State is concerned, I'm probably giving away too much of my political bent when I say that I was, as a 27 year old, more than mildly distressed to have seen what happened (on the evening news) at Kent State in 1970. I wish your daughter a full, prosperous, and contented life.

Mike

echolmberg

Yep!  I'll be watching this one as well.  I've got it on my pile of "to do" kits as well.  In fact, I was going to start it next but I really wanted to see what the AMT S-3 Viking kit was like.  I'm a fan of the S-3 so I started on that one first but I think the GWH P-61 will be next.  

The only thing that makes me nervous is the use of all the photo etch metal.  I'm not a big fan of that stuff in the least and I hate the fact that some kit manufactureres make you use them.  I'm going to leave off the wiring harnesses from the engines because, at the end of the day, I ain't gonna be peering into the engine cowlings while the model is sitting inside my display cabinet.  If there's any other PE that I can leave out, I will.  I am still looking forward to the build, though, because I heard it goes together nicely.

Eric

 

Toshi

1943Mike

Looking forward to this build Toshi. It's an aircraft that has some "sex appeal" in its dark, widow dressing.

On a personal note, congratulations on becoming a grandfather!

As far as your daughter graduating from Kent State is concerned, I'm probably giving away too much of my political bent when I say that I was, as a 27 year old, more than mildly distressed to have seen what happened (on the evening news) at Kent State in 1970. I wish your daughter a full, prosperous, and contented life.

Mike

 

Toshi

This is going to be a good one!

philo426

This is going to be a good one!

 

Toshi

Cool, Toshi.

Great Wall is from the same parent company as Dragon and Hobby Boss.

A couple of things. I haven't bothered to get down a book, but if you use the decals you have there, it's possible if not probable that they are for B models.

EDIT: 25502 is an A, 25525 probably (need the book)

239525, 239532 and 25554 are all Bs.

The B is a much different airplane.

Second, there's no such thing as a glass nose, and I have no idea where GWH got the idea. There was a fiberglass nose, but thats a different animal. It was painted, either o/d or black. Some of the photos of the prototypes with the sun behind them make it look translucent, but it wasn't. I'm pretty sure the 25502 had a black nose, on an o/d aircraft, but that could easily change.

Toshi

 

1943Mike

Looking forward to this build Toshi. It's an aircraft that has some "sex appeal" in its dark, widow dressing.

On a personal note, congratulations on becoming a grandfather!

As far as your daughter graduating from Kent State is concerned, I'm probably giving away too much of my political bent when I say that I was, as a 27 year old, more than mildly distressed to have seen what happened (on the evening news) at Kent State in 1970. I wish your daughter a full, prosperous, and contented life.

Mike

 

 

 

 

Thank you sir!  Becoming a grandfather will be interesting at best.  Also thank you for the support for my daughter as well as the read and reply.  You are too kind.

 

Toshi

 

The best thing about being a grandparent is you and Mrs. T. can spoil the daylights out of the little grocery destroyers and then send them back with the parents.....LOL.  Congrats in order for both the son and daughter.

Will keep an eye on the build.

GMorrison

Cool, Toshi.

Great Wall is from the same parent company as Dragon and Hobby Boss.

A couple of things. I haven't bothered to get down a book, but if you use the decals you have there, it's possible if not probable that they are for B models.

EDIT: 25502 is an A, 25525 probably (need the book)

239525, 239532 and 25554 are all Bs.

The B is a much different airplane.

Second, there's no such thing as a glass nose, and I have no idea where GWH got the idea. There was a fiberglass nose, but thats a different animal. It was painted, either o/d or black. Some of the photos of the prototypes with the sun behind them make it look translucent, but it wasn't. I'm pretty sure the 25502 had a black nose, on an o/d aircraft, but that could easily change.

 

Toshi

goldhammer

 

 

Toshi

 

1943Mike

Looking forward to this build Toshi. It's an aircraft that has some "sex appeal" in its dark, widow dressing.

On a personal note, congratulations on becoming a grandfather!

As far as your daughter graduating from Kent State is concerned, I'm probably giving away too much of my political bent when I say that I was, as a 27 year old, more than mildly distressed to have seen what happened (on the evening news) at Kent State in 1970. I wish your daughter a full, prosperous, and contented life.

Mike

 

 

 

 

Thank you sir!  Becoming a grandfather will be interesting at best.  Also thank you for the support for my daughter as well as the read and reply.  You are too kind.

 

Toshi

 

 

 

 

 

The best thing about being a grandparent is you and Mrs. T. can spoil the daylights out of the little grocery destroyers and then send them back with the parents.....LOL.  Congrats in order for both the son and daughter.

Will keep an eye on the build.

 

Toshi

Here is the Black Widows front interior.  There are very small styrene pieces, it resembles PE.  Please view the photo below.  

The instrument panel looks great!

I refused to pay full price for this one too.  I grabbed mine off ebay as well for about half MSRP.  It looks like you got the "corrected" one to boot.  Here's mine should you want to check it out for reference.  

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/168128.aspx
 

philo426

The instrument panel looks great!

 

Toshi

lawdog114

I refused to pay full price for this one too.  I grabbed mine off ebay as well for about half MSRP.  It looks like you got the "corrected" one to boot.  Here's mine should you want to check it out for reference.  

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/168128.aspx
 

 

Toshi

[URL=http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/hayn0824/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-05/5DB65DFB-FEB3-4689-A719-3FF7F3A25547_zpsftb5u7zp.jpg.html][/URL

Very nice. I have 2 maybe more (who knows - came off ebay) of the Revell kits. One day...This is superb work.

Congratulations on your daughters graduation, grandpa.But I see distressing signs in someone admitting to liking to work with PE. Watching and learning.

Geezer

Very nice. I have 2 maybe more (who knows - came off ebay) of the Revell kits. One day...This is superb work.

 

Toshi

templar1099

Congratulations on your daughters graduation, grandpa.But I see distressing signs in someone admitting to liking to work with PE. Watching and learning.

 

Toshi

To my fellow forum members,

The photos below are not in any order, I appolagize for that.  It's just some random pieces I shot from last nights build.  I'll be back on the bench this evening to see what else I can accomplish in regards to PE.  Thank you in advance.

Toshi

GMorrison

Second, there's no such thing as a glass nose, and I have no idea where GWH got the idea. There was a fiberglass nose, but thats a different animal. It was painted, either o/d or black. Some of the photos of the prototypes with the sun behind them make it look translucent, but it wasn't. I'm pretty sure the 25502 had a black nose, on an o/d aircraft, but that could easily change.

 

I wish I could find it. I have a reference book on the P-61 I bought when I built the Revell kit a few years ago. I could swear there was at least one pic of a P-61 with a sort of frosted plexiglass nose. Or maybe it was heavily weathered so as to appear fogged and crazed. In any case, the radar unit inside was fairly visible still. Maybe we've seen the same picture.

Edit: Here it is---

http://www.skylighters.org/photos/pow07092001.html

That article says it WAS clear when it was still stateside, then painted over for security purposes when it went into combat. Is that what you meant, GMorrison (sorry, I forgot your first name) I'm guessing GWH probably saw this picture. It's the only pic of a transparent nose I can find online.

If you wanted to model a bird that hadn't seen combat yet, you could still do the transparent nose. I think it's kinda cool. 

Not trying to be argumentative. Just adding to the commentary. 

--Chris

That's a picture of a YP-61 test plane 41-18881. That nose was never a production item.

The fiberglass nose unpainted was off-white. You can't see into it, but if its backlit you can make out the outline of the radar.

Bill

Wow, that instrument panel is amazing. Nice work my man.

BK

Yes.

dirkpitt77

 

 

GMorrison

Second, there's no such thing as a glass nose, and I have no idea where GWH got the idea. There was a fiberglass nose, but thats a different animal. It was painted, either o/d or black. Some of the photos of the prototypes with the sun behind them make it look translucent, but it wasn't. I'm pretty sure the 25502 had a black nose, on an o/d aircraft, but that could easily change.

 

 

 

 

 

I wish I could find it. I have a reference book on the P-61 I bought when I built the Revell kit a few years ago. I could swear there was at least one pic of a P-61 with a sort of frosted plexiglass nose. Or maybe it was heavily weathered so as to appear fogged and crazed. In any case, the radar unit inside was fairly visible still. Maybe we've seen the same picture.

Edit: Here it is---

http://www.skylighters.org/photos/pow07092001.html

 

That article says it WAS clear when it was still stateside, then painted over for security purposes when it went into combat. Is that what you meant, GMorrison (sorry, I forgot your first name) I'm guessing GWH probably saw this picture. It's the only pic of a transparent nose I can find online.

If you wanted to model a bird that hadn't seen combat yet, you could still do the transparent nose. I think it's kinda cool. 

Not trying to be argumentative. Just adding to the commentary. 

 

--Chris

 

I'm still wanting to AB the Widow black, that's how it's portrayed in most people's mind.  Anyway, I still have time.  Thank you for the read and reply.

Toshi

BrandonK

Wow, that instrument panel is amazing. Nice work my man.

BK

 

Toshi

Toshi- it's your model so of course you can do whatever you want.

There were no "clear nosed" operational P-61s, according to my references. And I've got quite a bit. That a/c was what my father in law flew and maintained, so I've got his pictures, and a bunch of books I gave him that came back to me when he passed away.

DP's picture is of a prototype, a test aircraft. I'm not in alignment with his interpretation of the caption, but either way this wasn't something that was one way stateside and painted later. The aircraft were painted overall in the factory.

The other pictures from Hobbs are as I described- backlit by the setting sun, the fiberglass is translucent enough to just make out the shape of the radar.

GMorrison

Toshi- it's your model so of course you can do whatever you want.

There were no "clear nosed" operational P-61s, according to my references. And I've got quite a bit. That a/c was what my father in law flew and maintained, so I've got his pictures, and a bunch of books I gave him that came back to me when he passed away.

DP's picture is of a prototype, a test aircraft. I'm not in alignment with his interpretation of the caption, but either way this wasn't something that was one way stateside and painted later. The aircraft were painted overall in the factory.

The other pictures from Hobbs are as I described- backlit by the setting sun, the fiberglass is translucent enough to just make out the shape of the radar.

 

 

Where were you eight years ago when I was building my '61?  LOL!  (probably right here in these forums, as was I  LOL   )

I bow to your larger wealth of knowledge.  

But I still like the clear nose! 

Toshi--your build is looking great so far! Nice job!

--Chris

GMorrison

Toshi- it's your model so of course you can do whatever you want.

There were no "clear nosed" operational P-61s, according to my references. And I've got quite a bit. That a/c was what my father in law flew and maintained, so I've got his pictures, and a bunch of books I gave him that came back to me when he passed away.

DP's picture is of a prototype, a test aircraft. I'm not in alignment with his interpretation of the caption, but either way this wasn't something that was one way stateside and painted later. The aircraft were painted overall in the factory.

The other pictures from Hobbs are as I described- backlit by the setting sun, the fiberglass is translucent enough to just make out the shape of the radar.

 

 

I even went to Hobby Lobby and purchased extra bottles of black and O/D.  I know this much, This PE is difficult at best.  With that being said, it's going to take some time to assemble the P-61.  Which means I have some time before I lay down the first coat.  

I want to thank you so much for always helping me with my builds.  Your resources are endless.  Thank you sir!

Toshi

The Hobbyist

 

 

GMorrison

Toshi- it's your model so of course you can do whatever you want.

There were no "clear nosed" operational P-61s, according to my references. And I've got quite a bit. That a/c was what my father in law flew and maintained, so I've got his pictures, and a bunch of books I gave him that came back to me when he passed away.

DP's picture is of a prototype, a test aircraft. I'm not in alignment with his interpretation of the caption, but either way this wasn't something that was one way stateside and painted later. The aircraft were painted overall in the factory.

The other pictures from Hobbs are as I described- backlit by the setting sun, the fiberglass is translucent enough to just make out the shape of the radar.

 

 

 

 

 

To me the nose on the P-61s that are confused with clear-nosed versions look to me as if they are 'frosted' plexiglass...I've read that they were made of fiberglass but I'm no Black Widow expert (although I am an expert in most everything else).  I would think that fiberglass is totally opaque and I've seen some Widows w tan nose covers...could there have been two versions of the nose in production?  I'm not proposing that any were 'clear' but it is obvious that some noses were semi-translucent and some were totally opaque...crazed plexiglass AND fiberglass...???

 

 

Toshi

dirkpitt77

 

 

GMorrison

Toshi- it's your model so of course you can do whatever you want.

There were no "clear nosed" operational P-61s, according to my references. And I've got quite a bit. That a/c was what my father in law flew and maintained, so I've got his pictures, and a bunch of books I gave him that came back to me when he passed away.

DP's picture is of a prototype, a test aircraft. I'm not in alignment with his interpretation of the caption, but either way this wasn't something that was one way stateside and painted later. The aircraft were painted overall in the factory.

The other pictures from Hobbs are as I described- backlit by the setting sun, the fiberglass is translucent enough to just make out the shape of the radar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where were you eight years ago when I was building my '61?  LOL!  (probably right here in these forums, as was I  LOL   )

I bow to your larger wealth of knowledge.  

But I still like the clear nose! 

 

Toshi--your build is looking great so far! Nice job!

 

--Chris

 

Toshi

To my fellow forum members,

This is how bad my short term memory is.  I don't remember purchasing and building this kit.  I also forgot that this kit had the Big Ed PE.  So the interior photos at the beginning of this thread has no PE.  When I realized I was missing the PE, I had to tear apart the whole build and add the PE in.  Wow, what a huge mistake I made!

I'm a lucky man, I have all forum members helping me with each build.  With that, I was sent to get a MRI today to see why my issues continue in this fashion.  I'm hoping that everything is ok, I can only wait and see.

Now on to my P-61 of which I'm so excited about, I have some photos of this evenings build below, this is one hard and difficult PE kit.  I still don't know if I want to do the Widow the traditional black? Or O/D?  LOL!  I know this much, this is not your typical Toshi four day build!  LOL!

Toshi

The Hobbyist

 

 

Toshi

 

 

The Hobbyist

 

 

GMorrison

Toshi- it's your model so of course you can do whatever you want.

There were no "clear nosed" operational P-61s, according to my references. And I've got quite a bit. That a/c was what my father in law flew and maintained, so I've got his pictures, and a bunch of books I gave him that came back to me when he passed away.

DP's picture is of a prototype, a test aircraft. I'm not in alignment with his interpretation of the caption, but either way this wasn't something that was one way stateside and painted later. The aircraft were painted overall in the factory.

The other pictures from Hobbs are as I described- backlit by the setting sun, the fiberglass is translucent enough to just make out the shape of the radar.

 

 

 

 

 

To me the nose on the P-61s that are confused with clear-nosed versions look to me as if they are 'frosted' plexiglass...I've read that they were made of fiberglass but I'm no Black Widow expert (although I am an expert in most everything else).  I would think that fiberglass is totally opaque and I've seen some Widows w tan nose covers...could there have been two versions of the nose in production?  I'm not proposing that any were 'clear' but it is obvious that some noses were semi-translucent and some were totally opaque...crazed plexiglass AND fiberglass...???

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you so much in helping and enlightening me on this build.  I truly appreciate your assistance in this matter.  I just don't know if I want to AB the P-61 black or O/D?  LOL!

 

Toshi

 

 

 

 

You are very welcome.  You are one of the good guys that take feedback in the spirit it's intended...there's a guy in 'Ships' that seems to NOT be able to take feedback so well and he's attempting to troll me in there...

 

 

Toshi

I have not been following this thread that closely but in answer to the frosted appearance of the fiberglass nose one must remember that A, fiberglass was relatively new at that time ( would have been space age had we been in space yet) and B, most of these aircraft were in the South Pacific and the intense sun beating down on them would make short work of fiberglass. Also if a particular air craft flew through a rain storm the water could have stripped the paint right off. Not saying this is what happened but just throwing out ideas.

Tim

Timdude

I have not been following this thread that closely but in answer to the frosted appearance of the fiberglass nose one must remember that A, fiberglass was relatively new at that time ( would have been space age had we been in space yet) and B, most of these aircraft were in the South Pacific and the intense sun beating down on them would make short work of fiberglass. Also if a particular air craft flew through a rain storm the water could have stripped the paint right off. Not saying this is what happened but just throwing out ideas.

Tim

 

Toshi

I could not resist to post this, I just had to.  It's my first official scratch build.  It's not perfect but...  I thought I could never do this, I'm so excited!

Toshi

This is the rear interior entry/exit hatch.  It depicts a ladder.  At least that was my goal.

Wow, that's a lot of aftermarket stuff there. Good luck, I know you're do a great job on her. 

Gamera

Wow, that's a lot of aftermarket stuff there. Good luck, I know you're do a great job on her. 

 

Toshi

What you see here is the left side fueselage rear interior filled with PE.  In a way, I'm doing this (Building and posting) in real time.  It would be pretty neat if I could stream a live video of this build.  That's real time.  Thank you forum members in advance.

Toshi

Cracking job so far in that pit, Toshi, looks like a very nice kit!

Keep having fun!

Cheers,

Martin

UKguyInUSA

Cracking job so far in that pit, Toshi, looks like a very nice kit!

 

Keep having fun!

Cheers,

Martin

 

Toshi

Once again in real time, I have here to share with you all, the right fueselauge rear interior.  Although extremely difficult for me, I'm having a blast with the added PE!  Thank you forum members in advance.

Toshi

philo426

Looking good!that kit sure has a lot of detail!

 

Toshi

I have here the fuselage of the Widow.  All seams have been cleaned and are ready to prime.

Toshi

To my fellow forum members,

If you look carefully, the first photo depicts two sets of canopy masks.  One was from the actual kit, the other mask was from Eduard.  Why do I need two sets?

Well, interesting as it is, here's a tip for those of you considering purchasing the GWH Widow kit.  Some of the GWH canopy masks do not fit.  Luckily, this kit included a Eduard AM canopy mask.  In order to successfully mask the canopies, I had to utilize some of the Eduard sets.

As you can see below, look at how many were replaced.  Continuing on, there's still four more PE sets to assemble.  There's still a lot more to do, this will be really fun.  I'll ensure to post every step I take with this kit.  Once again, thank you forum members in advance in taking your time out during your busy schedule and visiting my threads!

Toshi

P.S.  Notice how well GWH packs their products.  The Perspex nose cone has its own bubble type container to protect it from damage and or scratch.  I still don't no what color I'm painting the P-61.  Black or O/D?  LOL!

Toshi, don't rely on the masks to work. Really burnish them down all around with a toothpick.

Then a nice touch would be to first paint green chromate, then the olive drab.

Do not bother with pre made masks.just burnish the tape on and carefully cut the tape with a new #11exacto blade.

GMorrison

Toshi, don't rely on the masks to work. Really burnish them down all around with a toothpick.

Then a nice touch would be to first paint green chromate, then the olive drab.

 

Toshi

philo426

Do not bother with pre made masks.just burnish the tape on and carefully cut the tape with a new #11exacto blade.

 

Toshi

Toshi, Just wanted to stop in and say that I really enjoy your builds. You, sir, show the patience of a gentleman, as my grandfather used to say to me when I was a kid. And I'll be watching this one with much interest, this kit is very high up on my wish list. Another note about the P-61, one of my favorite planes of all time. The nose cones were designed, if I'm not mistaken, to not be painted because the paint could degrade the radar set's ability to work properly. You have to remember, this was all new technology back then. I remember reading pilot's accounts of flying the -61 in combat, where they would say, "weapon bent"--when it was raining and the nose got wet, it could be enough to make the radar not work at all! Here's an older article from a magazine about a Black Widow that ended up shooting down a B-29--intentionally. Crew bailed out and they got to splash it.  Cant wait to see how your bird finishes up, that cockpit and the IP are awesome!

http://www.flightjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/splash1.pdf

A cute story. If you dig into it, the dome itself leaked and the motor that rotated  the dish shorted out.

Painting the nose was a must. Dirt and debris wore these out and made holes in them. The thing that would actually degrade radar performance was patching the fiberglass with more cloth or resin.

Paint protected the fiberglass. Easier to keep adding paint, which didn't inhibit radar performance.

F-8fanatic

Toshi, Just wanted to stop in and say that I really enjoy your builds. You, sir, show the patience of a gentleman, as my grandfather used to say to me when I was a kid. And I'll be watching this one with much interest, this kit is very high up on my wish list. Another note about the P-61, one of my favorite planes of all time. The nose cones were designed, if I'm not mistaken, to not be painted because the paint could degrade the radar set's ability to work properly. You have to remember, this was all new technology back then. I remember reading pilot's accounts of flying the -61 in combat, where they would say, "weapon bent"--when it was raining and the nose got wet, it could be enough to make the radar not work at all! Here's an older article from a magazine about a Black Widow that ended up shooting down a B-29--intentionally. Crew bailed out and they got to splash it.  Cant wait to see how your bird finishes up, that cockpit and the IP are awesome!

 

 

 

 

http://www.flightjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/splash1.pdf

 

This is what drives me at the forums!  Being able to share each other's thoughts with a positive attitude.  I've always had a place in my mind for the P-61.  It's such a formidable aircraft.  I want to thank you for your time and the read and reply.

Toshi

GMorrison

A cute story. If you dig into it, the dome itself leaked and the motor that rotated  the dish shorted out.

Painting the nose was a must. Dirt and debris wore these out and made holes in them. The thing that would actually degrade radar performance was patching the fiberglass with more cloth or resin.

Paint protected the fiberglass. Easier to keep adding paint, which didn't inhibit radar performance.

 

Here is my progress for this Saturday afternoon.  I'm getting ready to go to Walmart to get some fishing sinkers (Led).  These will be strategicly placed in the front of the P-61.  I'm possibly will be adding anywhere from 2-3oz. of weights.

Below, the first photo is of the radar.  I then painted and added a very light weathering utilizing the Tamiya Weatherine set, A, C, and F.  The last two photos is of the Widows fuselage.  Thank you in advance fellow forum members.

Toshi

silentbob33

That's looking really Toshi! I love the P-61 and it's a treat to watch it come together.

 

Toshi

Looking good Tosh!Looks like your canopy pieces fit properly!

philo426

Looking good Tosh!Looks like your canopy pieces fit properly!

 

Toshi

I do have a question about the P-61.  The kit's box shows a clear radome and I've heard a couple people talking about doing the clear nose version. 

Did they ever come out with a clear nose like that or is it just a gimick to show off the kit's radar detail?

ikar01

I do have a question about the P-61.  The kit's box shows a clear radome and I've heard a couple people talking about doing the clear nose version. 

Did they ever come out with a clear nose like that or is it just a gimick to show off the kit's radar detail?

 

My conclusion is thus far, I will depict the radome fogged over, at the very least the front half.  I hope this answers your question.  As for a gimick, I can't answer that question, I assume the staff at GWH can answer that.

I'm extremely pleased that this radome has become a topic.  This is what makes this forum such an interesting and fun place to be in.  Ultimately, as GMorrison clearly stated in that it's my model and I can model the kit anyway I want to.  I know I've stated this time and time again, I'm just having fun and enjoying this hobby!

What do you think Mr. ikar01?  Do you feel the radome should be clear or frosted?  Please let me know.  I'm quite anxious to know your statement.  Thank you in advance for the read and reply.

Toshi

On this sunny and beautiful Mothers Day I had some time to work on the P-61 engines.  The engines were built with some OOB items and a AM resin set.  Thank you in advance.

Toshi

This is the engines weathered.

Toshi

Toshi, the nose is fiberglass as GM stated.  It is translucent.  There are some nice color and BW photos on the early P-61's on the Wiki entry for P-61's.

philo426

The engines look great!

 

Toshi

richs26

Toshi, the nose is fiberglass as GM stated.  It is translucent.  There are some nice color and BW photos on the early P-61's on the Wiki entry for P-61's.

 

Toshi

silentbob33

Very nice engines!

 

Those engines do look good! 

And thanks everyone, lots of stuff here I didn't know about the radar system. 

Gamera

Those engines do look good! 

 

And thanks everyone, lots of stuff here I didn't know about the radar system. 

 

I'm glad other members as well as you, took notice to the engines before it gets covered by the cowling.  You know too well that most of the details won't show after assembly.

As for members that chimed in, in regards to the radome, I was so excited that everyone had their views looked over and discussed on this thread.  Like you, I'm grateful to those members input.  Thank you Gamera for the read and reply.

Toshi

To my fellow forum members,

No real milestone here.  Just a simple progression, albeit in PE.  This juncture took allittle longer than anticipated.  It was a lot more difficult in it's progression, more finesse Was needed.  But as always the case, once completed, a sense of accomplishment proceeded.  Now on to my next step...

Toshi 

After the disaster of all three landing gears broken, I checked into eBay and purchased a set of metal landing gears.  It should arrive this Saturday.  Until then, as you can see below, I've started with the AB on the underside of the Widow.  

I sprayed the underside with Model Master 4757 Neutral Gray.  The top half will be sprayed with Model Master 4728 OD.  This should make this build an interesting one as most, if not all Widows made, they are sprayed with black.  Wish me luck.

Toshi

Toshi,did you mount up the landing gear and as soon as you flipped it over they immediately collasped?Man that is a serious design flaw and not mentoned in any review that I have read.The paint job looks pretty good.Do plan to add invasion stripes?

To my fellow forum members,

Here is my update for Thurdsday.  

philo426

Toshi,did you mount up the landing gear and as soon as you flipped it over they immediately collasped?Man that is a serious design flaw and not mentoned in any review that I have read.The paint job looks pretty good.Do plan to add invasion stripes?

 

Toshi

No, I'm not going to do any type of stripes.

Toshi

Ok Toshi!I guess you will have to soldier on until the new landing gear arrives.

Toshi, here is an example of an early OD-41 P-61 of the 422nd NFS with invasion stripes from the 422 NFS Wiki entry if you wanted to try to paint them:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/422d_Test_and_Evaluation_Squadron#/media/File:422d_Night_Fighter_Squadron_-_P-61_Black_Widows.jpg

philo426

Ok Toshi!I guess you will have to soldier on until the new landing gear arrives.

 

Toshi

richs26

Toshi, here is an example of an early OD-41 P-61 of the 422nd NFS with invasion stripes from the 422 NFS Wiki entry if you wanted to try to paint them:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/422d_Test_and_Evaluation_Squadron#/media/File:422d_Night_Fighter_Squadron_-_P-61_Black_Widows.jpg

 

Toshi

Cool Toshi!can you give us a clue about the next project or will you keep it a surprise?

philo426

Cool Toshi!can you give us a clue about the next project or will you keep it a surprise?

 

Toshi

What is interesting about the photo, among other things, is that both single engine (18") and multi-engine (24") stripes are used.

GMorrison

What is interesting about the photo, among other things, is that both single engine (18") and multi-engine (24") stripes are used.

 

Toshi

Up date on some of the decals.

Toshi

Here is the completed kit minus the Black widows three landing gears. I shoul get it tomorrow.  I'm hoping to finish this kit by Sunday so as to start the Ho 229.  I might mess around the engines for the 229 first.

Nice job Toshi!Looks great!

philo426

Nice job Toshi!Looks great!

 

Toshi

Cool!look forward to the 229.

philo426

Cool!look forward to the 229.

 

Toshi

Toshi, you have done a great job on the P-61.  I've always liked that ship since I built the Airfix kit back in the 60s and walked aroung a real one at the Air Force Museum back in 1970 when their larger aircraft and most f the jets were kept outside and quite accessable. 

As for the radar, I would just paint the radome like on most aircraft, to me it just looks better.  But then I would have even more left  over spare parts in boxes.  Another option would be to do what Shep Paine did in his diorama series for Monogram back in the 70s and give it a maintennance appearance with the radome off as well as other areas being worked on.

ikar01

Toshi, you have done a great job on the P-61.  I've always liked that ship since I built the Airfix kit back in the 60s and walked aroung a real one at the Air Force Museum back in 1970 when their larger aircraft and most f the jets were kept outside and quite accessable. 

As for the radar, I would just paint the radome like on most aircraft, to me it just looks better.  But then I would have even more left  over spare parts in boxes.  Another option would be to do what Shep Paine did in his diorama series for Monogram back in the 70s and give it a maintennance appearance with the radome off as well as other areas being worked on.

 

What I did in regards to the radome is to paint the nose black.  I actually found several photos like the P-61 mentioned above.  I also picked number 25502.  According to what GMorrison said, the other numbers was for a P-61B.  Since I'm building 25502, of which is for the A series, this is the direction I would like to go to, in my humble opinion.  

I want to thank you so very much, you have given me the support and continued to read and reply on my threads.

Toshi

lawdog114

Nice to see an olive drab version. Yours is looking fantastic....

 

Toshi

silentbob33

Looks really good Toshi, I can't wait to see it standing on its own legs.

 

Here is the completed P-61.  As many of you know, this build had to be put aside as all three landing gears broke at the joints.  Luckily, I was able to find metal landing gears for this brand.  Please view the completed project.

Toshi

Excellent Toshi!Nice subtle weathering also!

Toshi, in my opinion the P-61 is one ogly bird. But you made it look pretty-great job!

The photos below includes my very first build.  I thought that shooting both at the same time would be cool.  The funny thing is, I would build the Monogram Widow as I feel very nostalgic about that kit.  An interesting note, the Monogram Widow besides being my first build, it was also my first thread.  All the interior of the Monogram P-61 is loaded with PE, AM cowling, AM engines, AM props, and metal landing gears.

So it's equal to the GWH kit as far as AM parts are concerned.  I enjoyed building the GWH kit, it definately shows in the technology and how far modeling companies have come.  

Toshi

philo426

Excellent Toshi!Nice subtle weathering also!

 

Toshi

Shipwreck

Toshi, in my opinion the P-61 is one ogly bird. But you made it look pretty-great job!

 

Toshi

Toshi just caught up on this and you did a really fantastic job! Excellent looking weathering!

TREYZX10R

Toshi just caught up on this and you did a really fantastic job! Excellent looking weathering!

 

Toshi

Very cool Toshi, and love the photos with the vintage Monogram kit!

Gamera

Very cool Toshi, and love the photos with the vintage Monogram kit!

 

Toshi

Timdude

Very nice Toshi. Looking at your photos it looks like there is a difference in the shape of the vertical stabilizers between the two kits, am I seeing things or are the kits different? It looks like the Monogram kits verticals rakes forward at a greater angle the the newer kit? Tim

 

Toshi