I was brousing through one of my reference books today, reading about the P-61 Black Widow, and got interested in the F-15A/XP-61 version of this aircraft. It’s absolutely awesome looking, and I began to want to include one in my collection (to go with my P-61B). I did some internet research, and found that AMTech is coming out w/ a 1:48 kit soon (for 50$ - ouch!). I also found out there are several conversion kits (by AirModels, F.E. Resin and Lone Star Models) for both the 1:48 Monogram and 1:72 Airfix/MPM (or similar) kits. My question to the forum is if anyone has any experience with any of the F-15A conversion kits (either scale)? Thanks for any comments. Frank
I built the Northrop F-15 many years ago using the 1/72nd Airfix P-61 kit and the Airmodel conversion kit which basically consisted of the new central pod. My memory is hazy about the construction process but I don’t recall any major problems in producing a fairly nice looking model. The Airmodel kit does provide a very good vacumform canopy. The main fuselage had fairly deep panel lines but these could be easily sanded down.
Richard
AmTech is so far behind schedule on tht Reporter that I’m begining to wonder if we’ll ever see it. The conversion kit from Lone Star is a good kit and Mike is a good businessman. Have no fear when dealing with him.
Thanks for the review of the AirModels conversion. Thats the info I was looking for. Richard (or anyone that knows), Does the AirModels conversion kit included a decent cockpit and the appropriate turbo superchargers for the engines? Thanks much. Frank
Frank,
I’ve got the F-15 central pod conversion from Lone Star. I haven’t built it yet but just looking over it I noticed one thing: Be prepared to reinforce the wings-to-pod area. The new central pod is vacuformed so it doesn’t appear to me to have the rigidity needed to support the weight of this big model. I’d be prepared to maybe run a piece of brass tubing from one wing, through the fuselage, and then into the other wing. Also, there is no interior detail provided for the new central fuse. I suppose that’s to be expected but their instructions have no indication whatsoever as to how the new area should look. I’ve got some reference books which give a pretty clear view of the front seat. It appears (and I believe I’ve read) that the pilot’s station was pretty much the same as in the “regular” P-61. However, there is no indication as to what the back seater’s station looks like. You’ll have to take the step out of the Monogram cockpit floor. While I was glad that there was a company which offered an aftermarket conversion, it sure would have been nice if they included SOME sort of info to help the builder (eg, photos, drawings, any sort of instructions, color info, etc.). That was another thing that sort of bothered me. I basically got the left and right halves of the vacuformed fuselage, a clear vacuformed canopy and a resin nose and that was all that there was in the box. No instructions, hints, tips, guides, nuthin’!
Good luck!
Eric