|
|
|
|
 Hi All This will be my build diary of the P-61B 'Black Widow'. Review here:- http://forum.model-space...spx?g=posts&t=19553
Some history first:- The Northrop P-61 Black Widow, named for the American spider, was the first operational U.S. warplane designed as a night fighter, and the first aircraft designed to use radar.The P-61 had a crew of three: pilot, gunner, and radar operator. It was armed with four 20 mm (.79 in) Hispano M2 forward-firing cannons mounted in the lower fuselage, and four .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns mounted in a remote-controlled dorsal gun turret. It was an all-metal, twin-engine, twin-boom design developed during World War II. The first test flight was made on 26 May 1942, with the first production aircraft rolling off the assembly line in October 1943. The last aircraft was retired from government service in 1954. Although not produced in the large numbers of its contemporaries, the Black Widow was effectively operated as a night-fighter by United States Army Air Forces squadrons in the European Theater, the Pacific Theater, the China Burma India Theater and the Mediterranean Theater during World War II. It replaced earlier British-designed night-fighter aircraft that had been updated to incorporate radar when it became available. After the war, the P-61—redesignated the F-61—served in the United States Air Force as a long-range, all-weather, day/night interceptor for Air Defense Command until 1948, and Fifth Air Force until 1950. On the night of 14 August 1945, a P-61B of the 548th Night Fight Squadron named "Lady in the Dark" was unofficially credited with the last Allied air victory before VJ Day. The Brits wanted the states to use Mosquito's as night fighters saying 'Why design something new when you already have the perfect aircraft for the job' but the USA wanted an aircraft built around the latest and newest radar that would have been hard to fit into a Mozzy. The P-61 was the answer and the 'B' had upgraded radar and a better designed upper gun turret. As mentioned above 'Lady in the Dark' which this build is based on shot down the last aircraft of the pacific war and was based at Lingayen in the Philippines. More soon Andy  Current builds:-C57,Zero, Lamborghini Countach, Caldercraft HMS Agamemnon,Robi,R2-D2, MFH Cobra .
|
|
|
 Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,051 Points: -13,308
|
Good luck with this one Andy
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks Tom Have also invested in some oils for the weathering. Andy Current builds:-C57,Zero, Lamborghini Countach, Caldercraft HMS Agamemnon,Robi,R2-D2, MFH Cobra .
|
|
|
|
|
Looking forward to this build Andy, with your skills its going to be rather special! I only use oils for my weathering, it so easy to mix your own washes and use the oils for streaking and shading.
|
|
|
Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,051 Points: -13,308
|
An interesting aircraft Andy and a nice kit. Enjoy the build, I'll be watching with interest. 
Kev 
|
|
|
 Rank: Super-Elite       Groups: Registered
Joined: 27/01/2014 Posts: 5,060 Points: 14,980
|
Good luck Andy, looking forward to following
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks everyone for looking in and your comments. Current builds:-C57,Zero, Lamborghini Countach, Caldercraft HMS Agamemnon,Robi,R2-D2, MFH Cobra .
|
|
|
|
|
Can see this being another great contribution from you Andy, look forward to following once you get going..... Regards Alan
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks for looking in Alan and your comments Current builds:-C57,Zero, Lamborghini Countach, Caldercraft HMS Agamemnon,Robi,R2-D2, MFH Cobra .
|
|
|
|
|
Hi All Made a start on this beast by constructing the pilots seat and then the gunners and radar operators seats, the seat belts will be added after painting commences. The cabin interior was next with various panels and electronics boxes added for the radar station and for the other two stations. Lots of etch added from the eduard and the kit sets and still more to go on after painting as there are pre colored plaques and box facings to add. The swan morton knife is to give an indication of how big this bird is. More soon Andy arpurchase attached the following image(s): Current builds:-C57,Zero, Lamborghini Countach, Caldercraft HMS Agamemnon,Robi,R2-D2, MFH Cobra .
|
|
|
Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Registered
Joined: 17/12/2013 Posts: 3,982 Points: 11,974 Location: NY, USA
|
|
|
|
Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,051 Points: -13,308
|
Nice start and lots of detail
|
|
|
|
|
Nice start Andy, some lovely detail going into this build and very tidy work with the etch.
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks for looking in everyone and your comments Current builds:-C57,Zero, Lamborghini Countach, Caldercraft HMS Agamemnon,Robi,R2-D2, MFH Cobra .
|
|
|
Rank: Administration   Groups: Registered, Forum Support Team, Administrators, Global Forum Support Team, Moderator, Official Builds Joined: 09/11/2012 Posts: 8,000 Points: 23,089 Location: East midlands
|
Nice start Andy. Like the detailing. Regards delboy271155 (Derek) COME BACK GUY FAWKES "YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU"
|
|
|
Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Registered
Joined: 27/01/2014 Posts: 5,060 Points: 14,980
|
Beautiful etch work Andy, great start
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks for looking in both of you Current builds:-C57,Zero, Lamborghini Countach, Caldercraft HMS Agamemnon,Robi,R2-D2, MFH Cobra .
|
|
|
|
|
Put a coat of Alclad gloss black followed by Alclad's aircraft aluminium arpurchase attached the following image(s): Current builds:-C57,Zero, Lamborghini Countach, Caldercraft HMS Agamemnon,Robi,R2-D2, MFH Cobra .
|
|
|
Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,051 Points: -13,308
|
Nice work Andy, love all the extra detail and the painting looks good too - well done.
Kev
|
|
|
|
|
That is really looking the part, very nice work.
|
|
|
|
Guest (2)
|
US
