theplasticsurgeon Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 Joining you with this nightfighter from Novo. . Acquired from a colleague who trades in toys for £2.50, I get first dibs at the models. This in my Nightfighter offering, with an intent to try a tank killer, and ship killer specialists, if I have time. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted March 10, 2019 Author Share Posted March 10, 2019 And whilst waiting, here are my previous P-61s. First a Dragon P-61A - went together beautifully. I never believed the expression DragonFit - until I built a P-38 LightningPathfinder And an Airfix P-61B 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickyrich Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 welcome along to the build, and with a truly awesome nightfighter! I have built both of these models in the past, the old Airfix one got me hooked on the Blackwidow. Good luck with the build, it'll be great to see on old classic being built. Plus I like your other planned builds as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkSH Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 I Love the Black Widow! and it was one of the first Airfix kits I built many years back as a kid and collected dust hanging from my ceiling until I left for college....but wasn't there when I came back...…..Mum! Definitely need to build another! will watch with interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 I've got this in the stash. Chris 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted March 17, 2019 Author Share Posted March 17, 2019 This is my reference to the Black Widow. Indicating that most of the cockpit interior is black/dark. Parts. These are the options, probably going for black option. Some prep, and painting. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted March 17, 2019 Author Share Posted March 17, 2019 Some seriously rubbish parts here. a very warped fuselage. That half figure is the pilot. the painted seat is for the gunner - and there's nothing in the back! Planning to install a cockpit floor, and install some cutdown seats. That's an unpainted F-16 tub, I'm planning to trim and install into the back. Also planning this as in-flight mode. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted March 17, 2019 Share Posted March 17, 2019 (edited) Hello heres a link to the NMUSAF. It has an 360* camera for all 3 stations at the bottom of the link. https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196248/northrop-p-61c-black-widow/ Yes its a P-61C but should give you an idea of how its restored ? Edited March 17, 2019 by Corsairfoxfouruncle 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickyrich Posted March 17, 2019 Share Posted March 17, 2019 that was probably the height of detail way back in 65! Still it's great to see these old models seeing the light of day again. Plenty os scope to add some extra detail to fill up all that black space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted March 18, 2019 Author Share Posted March 18, 2019 10 hours ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said: Hello heres a link to the NMUSAF. It has an 360* camera for all 3 stations at the bottom of the link. Thanks for that link. A lot more interior green in there than I thought. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted March 18, 2019 Author Share Posted March 18, 2019 So I've installed floor and bulkheads, painted green, then put in some chairs. And blocked off the back with the tub from an F16, and another chair. Does anyone know if a P-61 was ever shot down by an enemy aircraft? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Knight Posted March 18, 2019 Share Posted March 18, 2019 On 17/03/2019 at 17:48, theplasticsurgeon said: Also planning this as in-flight mode. Can I please scrounge one of the main undercarriage legs if your kit has them? I have a Frog kit which is missing one of the u/c legs 6 minutes ago, theplasticsurgeon said: Does anyone know if a P-61 was ever shot down by an enemy aircraft? afair yes, the Japanese shot some down during one of the Battles of the Aleutians 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted March 18, 2019 Share Posted March 18, 2019 1 hour ago, theplasticsurgeon said: Does anyone know if a P-61 was ever shot down by an enemy aircraft? This from Wikipedia. “In early August 1944, the 422nd NFS transferred to Maupertus, France, and began to encounter German aircraft for the first time. On the night of 14–15 August 1944, "Impatient Widow", tail number 42-5591 attempted to intercept a Heinkel He 177A-5 of 5.Staffel/Kampfgeschwader 40, code F8+AN, Werknummer 550 077, flown by Hptm. Stolle. "Impatient Widow" had its starboard engine shot out along with oil lines and hydraulics, and went down north of Barfleur, Normandy. The downing was witnessed by two other Heinkels.” And this one. ”The most commonly encountered and destroyed Luftwaffe aircraft types were Junkers Ju 188s, Junkers Ju 52s, Bf 110s, Fw 190s, Dornier Do 217s, and Heinkel He 111s, while P-61 losses were limited to numerous landing accidents, bad weather, friendly and anti aircraft land fire. One researcher suggests 42-39515 may have been shot down by an Fw 190 of Nachtschlachtgruppe 9.[18]” Theaters operated in were Northern Europe, SWPA, & CBI. The Mediteranean units didnt get up to speed before the end of the war. I didn't find anything about the Aleutian campaign, but i don't think thats correct ? The Aleutians campaign lasted from June of 1942 until August of 1943. The P-61 became operational in europe and the pacific in may and june of 1944 respectively. Dennis 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickyrich Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 gosh the combat record for her is not the easiest to find. first Operational May44 is the date as Dennis mentioned, the first confirmed kill was in the Pacific in October 44. Her kill record was 58 in ETO and 69 in PTO, losses (this covers all including ground incidents) 25 in ETO and I can't find a number for PTO. The 422nd Night Fighter Squadron in the ETO was the best with 43 kills (3 aces) and the 418th NFS was the best in the PTO with 18 kills (1 ace). Info courtesy of Osprey Combat Aircraft #8 P-61 Black Widow Units of WWII 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted March 19, 2019 Author Share Posted March 19, 2019 Thanks for the combat histories. All stuff that I never knew. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted March 22, 2019 Share Posted March 22, 2019 I'm guessing this kit is by far the most basic of the three you've tackled Tim? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted March 22, 2019 Author Share Posted March 22, 2019 43 minutes ago, Col. said: I'm guessing this kit is by far the most basic of the three you've tackled Tim? Confirming that to be the case. Perhaps unsurprising, that next is Airfix, The most sophisticated P-61 that I've seen is the Dragon. Consulting Scalemates, there are a few manufacturers that I've not seen - or heard of. But largely copies of the first 2 makes. The one that is a completely unknown quality to me, is HobbyBoss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted March 22, 2019 Author Share Posted March 22, 2019 I've assembled the major components. And now it looks like a P-61. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted March 23, 2019 Share Posted March 23, 2019 14 hours ago, theplasticsurgeon said: Confirming that to be the case. Perhaps unsurprising, that next is Airfix, The most sophisticated P-61 that I've seen is the Dragon. Consulting Scalemates, there are a few manufacturers that I've not seen - or heard of. But largely copies of the first 2 makes. The one that is a completely unknown quality to me, is HobbyBoss. I wonder if we'll see a Hobbyboss example within this GB? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted March 24, 2019 Author Share Posted March 24, 2019 I've brought this Airfix P-61 down from the loft. I'm order to conceal my previous interior decorating error, and that the inside isn't worth seeing - I've painted the canopy green. And added weight to sit correctly. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 Not being an expert on this aircraft, but couldn't help but notice the Frog / Novo one doesn't have a dorsal turret, is this an early version of the aircraft or an error by the kit manufacturer ? cheers Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 5 hours ago, theplasticsurgeon said: I’m order to conceal my previous interior decorating error, and that the inside isn't worth seeing - I've painted the canopy green. Good looking Widow, usually desk top models go for a blue canopy. Interesting choice to go green ? Was it to make it look like interior green ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickyrich Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 6 hours ago, JOCKNEY said: Not being an expert on this aircraft, but couldn't help but notice the Frog / Novo one doesn't have a dorsal turret, is this an early version of the aircraft or an error by the kit manufacturer ? cheers Pat correct the early models didn't have the turret. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted March 24, 2019 Author Share Posted March 24, 2019 According to the book, the turrret caused some buffeting, not great for a gun platform. This was the same turret as in, and competing with B-29 production. Various experiments to overcome buffet, including a sort of umbrella cover over the turret. Closer look at my Dragon. It's got the turret shape, but no guns. Hence early aircraft discarded the turret and gunner. Radar operator sat behind the turret, facing forwards for radar work. The seat could be rotated rearwards for defence purposes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted March 24, 2019 Author Share Posted March 24, 2019 4 hours ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said: Good looking Widow, usually desk top models go for a blue canopy. Interesting choice to go green ? Was it to make it look like interior green ? Interior green was the idea, I'm not sure it was the right one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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