Northrop P-61 Black Widow. 1:32 Etch from Eduard.

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Northrop P-61A/B Etch

Eduard 1:32

The P-61 Black Widow is a great looking aircraft and it was with great excitement that HobbyBoss announced the release of one in 1:32 scale. Now a few months since the release Eduard have started to release etched sets designed to enhance the already nice detail of the kit. This is the first such set to reach BM Towers.

Engine Set (32341)

Contained in Eduards usual packaging this two sheet set, comprises of two medium sized frets of relief etched brass one slightly larger than the other. This larger sheet contains the short wiring looms for the front bank of cylinders and the cowl flaps for the rear of the engine cowling. Now while the fitting of the looms is pretty straight forward, particularly in light of the size the engines are in this scale, the cowl flaps do not look like an easy build. Once the inner cowl flaps faces have been folded into shape the whole ring will need to be gentle bent into shape, until it forms a circle and the ends can be glued or soldered together. The lower ring forms the mating surface which is glued inside the rear of the kits engine cowling. There are another set of flaps which are then glued on the inside of the flap ring.

The smaller sheet contains the longer wiring looms which are threaded through holes drilled in the kits engine mounting ring to the rear bank of cylinders. The looms are connected to the wiring harness ring attached to the rear of the crankcase cover. There are also a set of tabs that attach between the engine mounting ring and each cylinder head.

Conclusion

This is quite a complex set and will need some careful work, particularly with getting the cowl flap rings bent properly to shape and you may need some specialist tools to achieve the effect. The detailed wiring harnesses will really look the part when painted up and fitted as this scale really lends itself to this sort detailing. Recommended.

Review sample courtesy of