The Official P-61 Group Build Thread

I think you need to check squadron again http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=RM7546 if you scroll down you can find the aftermarket stuff. Hope this helps.

Thanks, Andrew.  I'll do that shortly because I'd rather not have to deal with this almost un-usable kit piece.

Edit - actually I guess I wasn't clear in what I need.  The canopies on this kit are horrible, so I was hoping to find a replacement canopy, but this is not part of the accessories that Squadron has.

I just managed to get my camera out and took some pictures of my work in progress.  I apologize for the photographic quality (and I have not quit my day job!).  Some times I can actually take a decent picture but most of the time I seem to have a problem lining up the subject and getting the camera set up where I can use the flash and not get a hemi-spherical shadow from the lens mount.  Argh.  Maybe I should take a photography class ...

Any way, here's some pictures.  I've put together the fuselage/pilot compartment/whatever they called it on this odd bird and have painted and weathered interiors on the booms and gear doors.  The white stuff that is visible in some of these pictures is left over from my putty sanding operation over the weekend; I just haven't had a chance to clean it out yet.

The wings are not attached yet, just sitting there.

I built this kit a couple of times when I was a kid.  I suppose I was a fairly patient kid because this thing is one of the finest example of horrible mold-making that I've ever encountered.  Yet is is so very well detailed interior-wise for a kit of its age....

bondoman wrote:

The group of pilots that flew the -widow, including my other dad, pretty much are proud that no one was ever shot down by another a/c. He was thrown' about, kinda, in early '45, but thru a long and arduous fight home, avoided same. Seems that the pilot was beheaded by a 37mm in the Brenner Pass on the way to bomb trains, and "dad" crawled forward, took over the controls and flew in and then back out. Didn't bail out because the RO in the back was in shock, from the impact of the shell. He had one victory in the P-61, and quite a few earlier in the Beaufighter. i have pictures I might share.

Crimany Sakes! Incredible!

Aggieman wrote:

Yet is is so very well detailed interior-wise for a kit of its age....

I was so excited putting the cockpit together, amazing detail for a $14 model...That excitement turned to wanting to throw the thing across the room once I say how bad the body fit was...It gave me fits (no pun intended!!!)

Well some more WIP, I am almost finished! I just have to let the decals dry and give it a clear coat. I am not worrying about the impurities on the top, because future will get rid of them. Well here it is.

Just one question, what coat do I use for the early "A" version? Flat, Gloss, or Semi? Thanks

Raptor I searched up the thread and couldn't find the prototype of your build so I apologize in advance if it's there.

This is a European theater a/c , correct? Also, I have never seen a P-61 in Invasion stripes, so I'm curious as to the source of the scheme/ bu #. And weren't early A's green?

I'll post up a number of photos from my collection that are originals, as soon as I get my scanner fixed. They're from Italy, and show the a/c as always shiny, but usually pretty dirty. Like a black car that needs a wash.

The interesting, I guess, weathering detail is that the paint was not really well bonded. These were shipped on deck to Europe with tape over the joints between the control surfaces and the airframe, which when removed exposed a lot of aluminum.

Looks good, Andrew

I know early versions did get the stripe treatment, but I thought all early As were olive drab over grey. 

-Fred

I am just about finished! pics coming soon

Thy spider is done! AT one point I never thought I would get this thing finished. It was a monster to build at first but I ended up enjoying it. I also tried this new tape that gave me great results for the stripes. Enjoy. Thanks for looking And thanks Chopperfan for the spare decals. Yes early A's have invasion stripes!

That turned out very well, Andrew!  Great striping.

But hey, I'm just stopping by, I'm not in this GB.  Maybe the next one.

That turned out great, Andrew   Aren't you glad you're finally finished with it?  I know I was .

John, feel free to join the build, if you'd like; it's got a fairly long build time.

-Fred

Good looking Widow, Andrew.

I'm getting closer to being done as well - it's a wonder what a good bit of unexpected time off (Hurricane Ike has shut down my office for at least 2 days, yippee!) will do to a guy's modeling bench.

I've managed to mask all the clear parts, attach the wings and putty most seams to my satisfaction, and put down a coat of white primer. The white primer is helpful in identifying where there are some areas that need more attention, plus it will be easier to put on the black coat.  Here's hoping I can finish this beast by the end of the month.

There is a truly horrible opening at the back end of the main access door on the canopy.  I'm not sure if the part was faulty but I'm fairly indecisive as to what to do about it.  Any ideas?  I've thought of puttying but I'm afraid that the putty might fall into the cockpit, certainly not ideal.

More progress as I have found out I have the entire week off due to Hurricane Ike ...

painted the exterior black and laid down a coat of Future, and painted some of the detail painting (the red portions of the P-61 in the photo in this book that I have, Pacific War Eagles in Original Color).

Gigatron wrote:

That turned out great, Andrew   Aren't you glad you're finally finished with it?  I know I was . John, feel free to join the build, if you'd like; it's got a fairly long build time. -Fred

Thanks Fred, I am very glad I finished the thing. I really think Tamiya should make moulds for Widow.

Aggieman, Great progress, and again sorry to hear about Ike.

Jon thanks.

P-61B Black Widow Complete!

Andrew and Aggieman,

Those are really nice looking Widows!  I'm planning on getting back to work on mine and will post some progress pics.  I hope mine will look as good as yours! 

Steve

Andrew and Aggieman,

Nice builds both of you! I've got all the bits and pieces for mine and expect to dump some inertia and get going this fall.

Fantastic build, Steven .

-Fred

Steve and Kenjitek Thanks

Looking good Plane Nut

Everyone, Check out the Squadron Signal P-61's in action. It has lots of color profiles,data, and even pitures of the one I built! Theres also pictures of coopers snooper since that seems to be pretty famous.

Thanks for everyone's comments on my Widow.

Plane Nut, your Widow is looking real good.  I really like the Widow in standard USAAC colors but for myself I couldn't pull myself away from that black finish with those red cowl flaps. 

But what I'm really interested in is in your first photo, the newspaper with the add featuring "Kick *SS Mexican Food".  Here in Texas we take serious pride in our Mexican food (actually Tex-Mex).  I've traveled throughout the country and had the opportunity to sample "Mexican" food in other areas.  I've only found one place outside of Texas that I would venture into again if given the opportunity, and that was in Oklahoma City.  Pensacola had a nice place but I think it was more Cuban than Mexican.  St. Louis and Washington DC were utterly forgettable at least for that type of food.  Would love to get over to New Mexico.  Would have thought the southern parts of California would be good for Mexican food too.

Aggieman wrote:

Thanks for everyone's comments on my Widow. Plane Nut, your Widow is looking real good.  I really like the Widow in standard USAAC colors but for myself I couldn't pull myself away from that black finish with those red cowl flaps.  But what I'm really interested in is in your first photo, the newspaper with the add featuring "Kick *SS Mexican Food".  Here in Texas we take serious pride in our Mexican food (actually Tex-Mex).  I've traveled throughout the country and had the opportunity to sample "Mexican" food in other areas.  I've only found one place outside of Texas that I would venture into again if given the opportunity, and that was in Oklahoma City.  Pensacola had a nice place but I think it was more Cuban than Mexican.  St. Louis and Washington DC were utterly forgettable at least for that type of food.  Would love to get over to New Mexico.  Would have thought the southern parts of California would be good for Mexican food too.

Just an FYI for you P-61 builders. The new Aviation History magazine has a big article on this bird, excellent pics and info!

Josh

Welcome to the boards AND to the group build, vetteman .

Unfortunately, there is no vacform canopy for this kit.  Whoever would be entreponeurial enough to make one that actually fits, would be rolling in cash, as everyone who has one of these, would need it.

Feel free to post as many pics and ask as many questions as you'd like.  We're all in this build together.

-Fred