P-61B Black Widow from GWH 1/48

[Grug]

This will be my first SiG build and the first time I have built a model from G.W.H.

When I saw this on the calendar I instantly thought of the P-61 Black Widow. Looking through the instruction and seeing all the detail on the plastic I hope to do it justice. I also picked up a book on the P-61's for reference and will share some of that also. Enjoy the pics

[Thumboy]

amazing looking kit, very jealous. I will be following with great interest one day I will find the courage to spend more than $20 on a kit

[Pabbi]

happy to see another P-61B GWH build

[Grug]

Here is an Army Air Corp video of the P-61 Black Widow I found on Youtube. Enjoy.

[youtube]FZxlIjQqiTk[/youtube]

[Grug]

It's been some time before I could start the model but here is where I'm at.

I got the control panel all painted and I dry brushed with silver paint to show some wear. Before I applied the decals I trimmed them with my xacto knife while they were still on the backing paper. This made the decals sit better on the panel. It was also handy GWH doubled up the decals for the panel.


I'm still working on the seats but here are some pics of the cockpit.






I also have the guns painted and in place. Since I painted all the pieces before putting them in place I had to drill out the barrel mounts so I could slide the barrel into place.





Once I get the seats finished and in place I will weather the cockpit some more and the guns.

[UKguyInUSA]

Great start, mate! Just seeing this latest posting of yours, so apologies! You're probably almost ready to post your next update...I will be looking out for it...looks like a great kit!

Cheers,

Martin

[Pabbi]

great start nice work on the instrument decals, I know its not easy
what paint are you using on the interior ?

[Grug]

great start nice work on the instrument decals, I know its not easy
what paint are you using on the interior ?

Thank you.
Just like you I used the Model Master Green Zinc Chromate #4852. For the Yellow I'm using Model Master Yellow Zinc Chromate #4851. The pictures of the Green Zinc Chromate and especially the Yellow Zinc Chromate come out alot brighter then they are.

Great start, mate! Just seeing this latest posting of yours, so apologies! You're probably almost ready to post your next update...I will be looking out for it...looks like a great kit!

Cheers,

Martin

Thank you, I'm building it slow since I haven't built a model in years. I did get the seats done and once I get everything in place I will post them.

[patrickroos]

Great start, looking good!

[Grug]

I know I'm not going to finish in time but here are more pics of my progress.

Here are some of the cockpit before putting it all together.

[Grug]

Here is the radar that I don't get to put in due to the amount of weight you need in the nose of the aircraft. It would have been nice if the instruction told you how much weight is needed.



I lost the photos of the weight in the nose but I ended up needing about 3oz.

Here is the engine with the cowling off. I'm not going to glue the cowlings on so I can show the engine off when I want.



Never having used PE before I have I think I did ok.

Here is she is ready for priming.



I have her all primed and drying now. I hope to paint her tomorrow or this weekend. Once I'm done I will post finishing photos. I wish I had more time to finish on time oh well the next build I try hopefully work and home wont interfere as much.

[UKguyInUSA]

Coming together nicely now and some nice details within that kit; the radial engine and the cockpit look fabulous!

[Grug]

I finally finished and learned what I need to work on and what not to do. Since it is a good size model I use Rustoleum Primer which worked nice until I applied the Mr. Color Flat Black to it. I'm not sure if there was a reaction to the primer or if it was the Mr. Hobby Thinner. So I ended up stripping the paint away the best I could and cleaned it up the best I could. Then I repainted it using Tamiya Flat Black from a spray can which worked fairly well. The decals went on fairly well I'm not totally happy with the results. Next time I'm going to gloss coat the model before decaling like I have seen most modeler’s do. Other than that I think I did fairly well with the kit since the last kit I built was 30 years ago. Enjoy the pics.

[UKguyInUSA]

Beautiful job mate, looks like you did a nice job of masking the clear parts, your canopy frames look nice and crisp

[Filmman586]

Great detail work!