P-61 kits

They are in fact the same kit. 

Its the same kit, only differance will be the decals.

Same kit, it still holds up today, too.  All things being equal, if I had to buy one or the other, I'd buy the Monogram boxing because it's the cheaper of the two.  But for that matter, you can probably find it cheaper elsewhere, especially on the secondary market, and you might get the kit for a sale price and shipping totalling less than $20.

The old Monogram kit can still be a bit of a challenge. As far as I know the only other option is the Great Wall Hobby (GWH) P-61 which is more pricey, but builds up easier.

Not a lot options out there in 1/48.

I'd like to take a shot at the Monogram kit eventually. 

M. Brindos

The old Monogram kit can still be a bit of a challenge. As far as I know the only other option is the Great Wall Hobby (GWH) P-61 which is more pricey, but builds up easier.

Not a lot options out there in 1/48.

I'd like to take a shot at the Monogram kit eventually. 

 

There is also the oooold Aurora(I think?) P-61. I saw one, once...on a vendor table, for very cheap. Even at $5...no thanks(I'm sure there's a collector out there somewhere that would pay far more for it though). If I had the desire to build another 61, I'd still stick with the Monogram/Revell...mainly because of the price of the newer G/W offering. I do see them regularly on vendor table for 10-15 bucks. The fit is a bit less than great, but with a little elbow grease and a few ...it comes out nice.

Isn't there a 1/72 kit out there?   Can't remember who makes it though.  Dragon?

John

falconmod

Isn't there a 1/72 kit out there?   Can't remember who makes it though.  Dragon?

John

 

Ye, Dragon did one, i used AM for the Dragon kit on my old Airfix kit. There is also one from Great Wall which i think is 48th.

falconmod

Isn't there a 1/72 kit out there?   Can't remember who makes it though.  Dragon?

John

 

Got one of those in the stash (Dragon)...looks pretty good too!

the Baron

Same kit, it still holds up today, too.  All things being equal, if I had to buy one or the other, I'd buy the Monogram boxing because it's the cheaper of the two.  But for that matter, you can probably find it cheaper elsewhere, especially on the secondary market, and you might get the kit for a sale price and shipping totalling less than $20.

 

Yep....but go to ebay and find one with the white box with black letters on the top.  This was when it was originally released in 1974 and the molds were new. The fit of everything was much better and as intended.  In the latest incarnation the glass doesn't come close to fitting anymore.  Time to retire this mold.    

lawdog114

Yep....but go to ebay and find one with the white box with black letters on the top.  This was when it was originally released in 1974 and the molds were new. The fit of everything was much better and as intended.  In the latest incarnation the glass doesn't come close to fitting anymore.  Time to retire this mold.    

 

I have to agree with this!

I don't remember many issues the first time I built this kit...then again, I was maybe 11-12(mid-80's). Did another in the mid-90's...still decent, as I recall. Did another in the early 00's...little bit tougher. The latest was 6-7 years ago (current boxing for the time)...that was a tough build! Shims all around the canopy, sheet plastic for filler in a lot of areas, some gruff words...probably a word or two that I didn't know I knew!!! In the end though, I came out proud of myself...and it still sits proudly in my display!

lawdog114

 

the Baron

Same kit, it still holds up today, too.  All things being equal, if I had to buy one or the other, I'd buy the Monogram boxing because it's the cheaper of the two.  But for that matter, you can probably find it cheaper elsewhere, especially on the secondary market, and you might get the kit for a sale price and shipping totalling less than $20.

 

Yep....but go to ebay and find one with the white box with black letters on the top.  This was when it was originally released in 1974 and the molds were new. The fit of everything was much better and as intended.  In the latest incarnation the glass doesn't come close to fitting anymore.  Time to retire this mold.    

 

Has anyone built the HobbyBoss kit?  They have the -A and -B variants as separate 48th scale kits.  They also make a 32nd scale, which must be huge!

When the Great Wall kit first came out, it was pretty well regarded although it had a few errors that I think were corrected.

Now Hobby Boss...The reviews are pretty positive and it has some white metal parts too. Decals kind of get a bad rap.

If you do get it, do a WIP. I like the airplane and am always interested to see good builds of it. My father-in-law flew them in the MTO and had a lot of reference info he gave me.

There's a pretty fun flight instruction video on youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZxlIjQqiTk

My goal with the P-61 is to recreate Shep Paine's diorama of a plane under maintenance on a South Pacific airstrip. Since I plan to spend quite a bit on aftermarket bits for the plane and figures, base, etc, I'd love to save $30 on the kit if it's of good quality. 

bstarr3

My goal with the P-61 is to recreate Shep Paine's diorama of a plane under maintenance on a South Pacific airstrip. Since I plan to spend quite a bit on aftermarket bits for the plane and figures, base, etc, I'd love to save $30 on the kit if it's of good quality. 

 

So the concensus opinion is the old Monogram and newer Revell kits are the same but the older one builds easier and doesn't have the fit issues of the newer Revell?  

Zar

So the concensus opinion is the old Monogram and newer Revell kits are the same... 

I'd offer a clarification that that's not opinion, but fact.  The 1/48 P-61 kit in Revell's catalog today is the kit originally produced by Monogram, and carried forward through the mergers.

But yes, it is opinion, based on individual anecdotes, that the newer pops of this kit (and other old Monogram kits now produced by Revell) tend to have issues related to the age of the molds, especially with flash and fit, that the original pops didn't have.

lawdog114

White box.....black letters.....built model (not drawing) on cover. You'll be happy you did. They are relatively easy to find on ebay. Mine was still sealed with the $2.50 price tag on it.

 

Alright, that's three recs for the white box monogram kit in one thread. To eBay!

bstarr3

 

 

lawdog114

White box.....black letters.....built model (not drawing) on cover. You'll be happy you did. They are relatively easy to find on ebay. Mine was still sealed with the $2.50 price tag on it.

 

 

 

 

 

Alright, that's three recs for the white box monogram kit in one thread. To eBay!

 

Plus, if you get the mid-70s boxing, you might find it with Shep Paine's "Tips on Building Dioramas" brochure still included.  If there are photos of the box cover, look for the legend, "Tips on building dioramas included" or something similar.

This is the Revell kit my 8 y.o. son got for his birthday last year, just getting around to starting it. Posting the intial pics from the cockpit.

the Baron

Same kit, it still holds up today, too.  All things being equal, if I had to buy one or the other, I'd buy the Monogram boxing because it's the cheaper of the two.  But for that matter, you can probably find it cheaper elsewhere, especially on the secondary market, and you might get the kit for a sale price and shipping totalling less than $20.

 

Something else... I recently got the 1/48 Me262 in the Revell of Germany boxing that was released 2013 (I am pretty sure) and the old original boxing of the same kit in the white Monogram box. Huge difference in quality. The kits are identical, but the older one is in way better shape. The mold quality is much, much nicer. It is obvious that the old one came out of much better quality molds. Pretty evident the molds are geting a bit long in the tooth.

So, I would think that if one could get the older kit it would most likely be in much better shape as far as mould quality, i.e., flash, etc.

CharleyGnarlyP290

the Baron

Same kit, it still holds up today, too.  All things being equal, if I had to buy one or the other, I'd buy the Monogram boxing because it's the cheaper of the two.  But for that matter, you can probably find it cheaper elsewhere, especially on the secondary market, and you might get the kit for a sale price and shipping totalling less than $20.

Something else... I recently got the 1/48 Me262 in the Revell of Germany boxing that was released 2013 (I am pretty sure) and the old original boxing of the same kit in the white Monogram box. Huge difference in quality. The kits are identical, but the older one is in way better shape. The mold quality is much, much nicer. It is obvious that the old one came out of much better quality molds. Pretty evident the molds are geting a bit long in the tooth.

So, I would think that if one could get the older kit it would most likely be in much better shape as far as mould quality, i.e., flash, etc.

Roger that!  (see above posts)

give your son 2 thumbs up, he is doing an awesome job.

Follow up question: there is a lot of 1/48 aftermarket available for P-61, but all the eduard parts are labeled as for the GWH kit.  Will they fit on the Monogram kit?  Does anyone have direct experience using Eduard PE for the Monogram kit. 

bstarr3

Follow up question: there is a lot of 1/48 aftermarket available for P-61, but all the eduard parts are labeled as for the GWH kit.  Will they fit on the Monogram kit?  Does anyone have direct experience using Eduard PE for the Monogram kit. 

 

I've built both with PE, the kit and PE is not interchangeable, they are apples to oranges.  Just as a note, it's also wise to get the Vector engine/cowling for the Monogram kit as it's the correct set.  For the first time, I also purchased the AM top turret gun mount for the Monogram kit just to see how it looks compared to the original gun turret.

This is from my direct building experience with both kits.  Ultimately, it's your build and you may do what makes you happy in this hobby.  That's the key moot point.  

You may also take the route of scratch building like the many forum members do here.  One great example is M. Brindos, check out his and the many other forum members builds.  That's what we're here for.  I wish you the best of luck in your endevour of your P-61 Blackwidow journey of which ever you choose to do so.

Toshi

mawright20

This is the Revell kit my 8 y.o. son got for his birthday last year, just getting around to starting it. Posting the intial pics from the cockpit.

 

Toshi