is there a P-61 in 1/72 scale?

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

I was recently talking with one of my friends about my modeling hobby and “persuaded” her choose a favorite aircraft…and what did she choose but the Black Widow! I showed her the Revell/Monogram beast that I have in my stash and she immediately wished to build a model of her own…

I suggested she start on a simpler kit to break into the hobby, but I still would like to get her a P-61. From what I hear the 1/48 kit is difficult to work with and rather large when completed…and I do not want to discourage her from the hobby. Is there a P-61 kit made in 1/72 scale at all?

Thanks in advance!!

OWL

2

Yes, a very nice one by Dragon. There’s a bunch on eBay for around $ 30 which is what they cost new. It’s not a beginner kit because it has a lot of PE and such, but what the hey just use what comes easily. Otherwise it goes together well. I have two, built one so far.

3

Althought it might be big, the P-61 is only a Skill Level 2 kit… If building it SOB (Straight Outta Box), with no real worries about filling and sanding, but just to build it, it’ll be ok for a beginner to have a whack at it…

It’s only a tough kit to build for those with AMS… [:P]

A fighter in a similar vein might be the re-released 1/72 Monogram F-82 Twin Mustang… It’s MUCH cheaper than 30.00, builds into a nice nightfighter, looks good in black, and costs less than 16.00

4

There’s also one in the old Airfix catalog. I don’t know if they still make it. I built it back in the 70s, in its MPC boxing (decals for 3 different aircraft). As I recall, detail was typical of other Airfix 1/72 kits from that same series. Kind of soft details inside, pilot figures in spacesuits, lots of huge rivets outside, and a firewall with the front row of cylinder halves molded in place. And as I recall, I thoroughly enjoyed building it.

Best regards,

Brad

5

I think there may be an option other than Dragon as well. I remember building one 10-12 years ago when I was getting back into building again, didn’t think it was all that expensive or difficult, certainly no photoetch involved.

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Airfix and frog made them years ago, they are on ebay, sometimes under their US comapny names (MPC/Airfix, AMT/Frog).

The Airfix kit was decent for its time, easy to assemble.