Revell's 1/48 P-61 Black Widow

[tempestjohnny]

It was decent in its day. But the molds are 40 years old

[Stikpusher]

It was decent in its day. But the molds are 40 years old

Just shy of 50 years old now. The Monogram kit was first released in 1974. If you can find a white box issue of the kit, I’ll bet that the fit is still good. I’m half tempted to build the one in my stash next year, but I’m looking for very specific markings that have to be custom made to be done right.

[BlackSheep214]

Carlos is right. In it’s day it was a fabulous build. No fit issues whatsoever. I’ve seen a few Monogram white box Black Widow kits on eBay selling anywhere from $21 -$30 range minus shipping charges.

[keyda81]

Good luck! Like you, I've had the Monogram boxing of this one in the stash for a very long time. I'm pretty sure I bought it in the late 1980s and used to take it out from time to time, look it over...and put it back (much as I did with the Monogram P-38 ). And that was mostly before the internet had spread the word on this model. I'm looking forward to seeing your results Keyda. I have a weakness for WWII "twins" and would love to have one o' these in the display. Build on!

I'm certainly going to need as much luck as I can get, lol! Seems I have a weakness for just about anything WWII lately. Can't imagine why though

Medicman, from what I hear about this kit, I'm going to have a lot of putty, and sanding, so I might as well do some rescribing. I do need the practice as well. I've only ever rescribed one whole plane, Revell's B-25. Not the best the job, but it came out alright.

Stik, maybe I will go with one of those decal sheets. I'm sure I could order them now, and get them long before I needed them. Accuracy might not been a big deal when I first started, cause I didn't know a damn thing, but now I try to be as accurate as possible without driving myself nuts.

Girl, you have lost your everlovin' mind. But, I am excited to see this come to be. I'm sure you will do it justice!

I do believe I have, lol. Time will tell if I can manage it or not.

Oy! My son got me this kit for Christmas last year. I will warn you... you're in for a gluten of pain. I hated tjis kit especially with one boom molded in cowling while the other isn't. I had thought about getting AM parts but decided against it. Itll cost me more than what my son paid for it. The figures are horrible. Definitely not like the original Monogram kit I did as a kid in the late 70s early 80s.

I had started on it but stopped because it was that bad.
As Mike already mentioned, I'm holding out for Great Wall or the Kitty Hawk kit.

Good luck on this one. Hopefully you won't smash it to the wall as I had almost done several times building this Revell kit.

We'll see what happens. It might be one of those builds that gets tossed back in the box, or tossed in the bin. I suppose that depends on how long my patience with it lasts.

I built the old white box Monogram kit as a kid. I have two of these in the stash now. Been parting them out for parts lately after hearing the nightmares

I've heard the nightmares, but apparently I don't listen very well.

Just shy of 50 years old now. The Monogram kit was first released in 1974. If you can find a white box issue of the kit, I’ll bet that the fit is still good. I’m half tempted to build the one in my stash next year, but I’m looking for very specific markings that have to be custom made to be done right.

Carlos is right. In it’s day it was a fabulous build. No fit issues whatsoever. I’ve seen a few Monogram white box Black Widow kits on eBay selling anywhere from $21 -$30 range minus shipping charges.

Well I suppose that is an option as well if I can't deal with this kit. Try to find an original boxing. All depends on finances at the time. Tis the season to spend money on others.

We'll see when I get some bench time as well. Been doing deep house cleaning, and errands. I was hoping Thursday, but I have to wait for safelite to come and replace the windshield in my truck. I caught a rock on the way to the museum Saturday morning and it put a nice chip in my windshield which has already spread from hot/cold cycles.

[mustang1989]

I must have lost my mind. I know the reputation of this kit.

The plan is to not skimp on this either. I'm going to take my time with it. The PE looks like it will add some nice detail to it. As long as I can handle what the kit throws at me it should come out looking nice. Crossing my fingers.

My God lady......I think you're right. A person would have to be dang near crazy to take this one on. We've seen what you can do, however......so with that....I'd say we're all in for a very entertaining ride. Let the fun begin......

[keyda81]

Nothing a bit of putty, sand, prime, repeat won't fix right?!

[mustang1989]

LOL!!! Right on. I've actually built worse kits Keyda. I had a Jo-Han Ford Maverick that took me a whole frickin' year to build. Car body and engine were the only usable parts from the whole kit.

Lookin' forward to seeing what you do with this one. Perhaps there is still hope for this old kit yet.

[keyda81]

I don't think I've ever taken longer than a month to build one. But I do get a lot more bench time than most people. Seeing as how I'm a stay at home Mom. I still make sure to be responsible, and get cleaning, cooking, laundry, errands, and taxi cab duties done before I head to the bench.

Had some time today, so I started playing with PE and got some green zinc chromate laid down. I did fill some holes and sand injector pin marks. I realized the one area wouldn't be seen at all, so I abandoned the idea of making sure it was completely smooth. I'm sure I'll need to focus on other areas down the road, and don't need to waste my energy on what won't be seen at all once it's together.

Instrument panel


Side panels. I'm honestly surprised with the molded in detail in this kit. Thankfully it still shows up pretty well. The panel lines on the exterior are barely there, and will need some help for sure.





Bulkhead



All the interior PE installed, aside from seat belts. Which I'll do once everything is painted.



Got some paint laid down. Got a lot of detail painting do. Good thing is the True Detail's PE has a paint chart and tells you what color to paint everything. Instructions list a good amount of detail painting too. I find it annoying when there isn't a color call out and I have to go online looking at pictures to try and figure it out. I did that a lot with the W7 Herc.

[LyleW]

Awesome start!

Hey, have you seen the MAAM P-61 recovery and restoration? Worth looking it up!

[keyda81]

I did see a documentary on it's recovery, but hadn't followed the restoration. What an undertaking to say the least!