Hello everyone. NEw member to the community here.
I’m looking to build a P-61 in 1/48 scale, but so far have only been able to locate a Revell-Germany model.
Does anyone out there know of any other makers of this model in 1/48 scale?
I appreciate your help
[#welcome] Mucker. You’re gonna like it here.
As for your inquiry, I’m afraid that the Revell AG is the only show in town for a 1/48 P-61 at the present time.
AMTech is suppose to be working on a series of P-61s to be tentatively released later this year. But, I haven’t heard anything in a while.
These kits should prove interesting as they are to represent not only the P-61A/B, but the C model also, PLUS an F-15 Reporter version.
I’m most definitely looking forward to them.
Randie [C):-)]
Welcome to the forum. The only other current P-61, is the Monogram. The Revell is just a rebox. You can get it from Squadron mail order for 14.47 and shipping. Or visit your favorite mail order, or local hobby shop.
I stand corrected, Wayne.
I didn’t realise you could still get it in Monogram boxing.
Randie
Thanks guys. Any word on the detail of the Revell/Monogram bird? Relatively speaking, I am not too pleased with some of the other Revell kits from the past.
Too bad Hasegawa doesn’t have an older limited edition out there…
THanks again
The Monogram kit is a decent kit. That is what the Revell AG is, a re-boxed Monogram kit.
It has raised panel lines but that is about it as far as drawbacks.
You will want to be sure and test fit as you go. If you do this, you shouldn’t have any problems with it.
Randie [C):-)]
I built that bird a long time ago. From what I remember it was a pain in the [censored].
I had a good time with it when i had it the only thing i didn’t like about it was when i had to put the fusalage halves together. that was a pain in the [soapbox]. Never got to finish it because i spilled a bottle Testors liquid cement and it got all over the model and it turn into a ball of deformed plastic.
Randie
It’s listed as Revell/Monogram.
[#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome]
Welcome to a great and worldwide comunity Mucker! The Blackwidow itself is a tricky plane. Tons of glazed areas, hatches all around - therefore fit in this cases takes priority importance. The Mono kit assembles quite easy, not many gaps, not much effort to built a good looking kit. Internal detail is “au pair” to the Monogram venerable golden oldies. This means, even by today standards detail is quite good! Major drawback - raised scars instead of engraved lines. You’ll have to rescribe the whole thing.
Worth a look is the old etched fret by true details. Costs a dine and it comes with a great looking replacement panel. AM wheels and engines are also availlable. Superscale and Microscale made outstanding decals for no less outstanding real ones.
Finnaly the kit has three supperb figures! Really great possibilities to make a glorious model with this kit.
Regards!
Nuno
I’m doing the Revell/Monogram P-61 and I like the kit. I can’t wait to get it finished but right now I had to put it on the back burner.
Got my monogram P-61 sitting on the indelay shelf right now. I have to pretty much agree with everyones comments good and bad. I’ve had my share of frustrations with building it. the canopy and glass work can be a little tricky but, should build into a nice model with some “TLC”. thats why mine is sitting on the shelf right now. semper fi, mike
The last ‘build’ article on the P-61 was Mar '95! If you were building anything else you’d have plenty of info (P-51, P-40, Me-109, etc). Too bad the only dedicated night fighter of WW II the US had has been down played. Hopefully, someone at FSM will see this and do another build article.[banghead]
Yeah, and those Black Widows sported some great nose art, which looks even better on a black aircraft with red or green trim. In listing all the potential pitfalls in building the P-61 I’m surprised nobody mentioned the HATED TWIN BOOMS that are so intimidating on a P-38 or Vampire build. I feel as though the Monogram P-61 (And their TBD) are the only two of their “major” releases I never built. And, those two kits were released at the same time in, what, 1970-71?
Even though it has twin booms, they lined up flawlessly on each of the six P-61s that I’ve built (yes it’s my favorite plane in the whole wide world plus infinity!). They do leave some gaps which need filling but even then it’s not as bad as some other kits I’ve had. The cockpit for the Monogram Black Widow is actually pretty good when it comes to detail! They made sure to include lots of the goodies found in the real thing. Like Nuno stated, there are some after market sets you can get for the cockpit that come loaded with switches and levers. Other than adding those, there’s not much left which needs improving. I recommend getting your hands on the etched set which contains the turning spoiler! Adds a nice touch on the wings. I saw a picture in one of my P-61books of the cockpit where it looks like there might be some sort of bulletproof (???) clear divider between the pilot and the observer/gunner. I don’t know if this is in fact what it is or even if it was a standard item. I could never verify it in other photos. If that’s what it is then it is omitted in the Monogram kit.
Otherwise, the kits is a fun one where you can apply some modeling techniques to really make it an award winner. Sharkskin is right! They had some of the best nose art ever! Do yourself a huge favor and buy ANY of the aftermarket decal sets for it and discard the ones provided in the kit (Time’s-a-Wastin’ and Hustlin’ Hussy). Mine were terribly out of register and quite thick. The aftermarket decals are quite the eye candy! My wife thinks that’s why I like the Black Widow so much. LOL! [X-)]
Best wishes,
Eric
I purchased the monogram boxed kit some time ago.I was quite excited to get this puppy home and check it out.I must have gotten a bad run or something because there are HUGE amounts of flash everywhere.Some of the smaller parts on the frets are completely flashed in.Now I’m not some kind of a wimp nor am I a total beginer but this crap is thick.I just threw it in the closet and put it to the bottom of the pile with the intent that I’d build it when I wanted a massive challenge.A friend of mine donated an original release that’s about 75% complete but unbuilt.The original is much crisper than the new one.Should help a bit for the build.It’s a great plane that I wanted to build but I think the mould that mine came out of should have been retired long ago.Hope your’s is better.Good luck.
I have had no problems with my last two widows. The decals were okay. Just wished they’d included decals for thos blasted d-day stripes!! I’ve got another two in the todo pile at the moment.
I built the Monogram kit years ago, and I found the fit was terrible. The detail inside was out of this world back then, but things have moved on. I`m waiting for the Amtech kit to be released, as I already have some Aeromaster decals ready and waiting to be applied.
I have one of those Monogram P-61, and I agree with all my fellow modelers on the comments. It is a good model though, and I happen to like twin booms (The P-38 is my all time favorite!!!). Patience and careful test fit should make it a good looking finished product. Good luck.