Northrop's P-61 Black Widow by Revell: WIP

[David G.]

Hello Everybody!

Here's my final build for 2024!

The canopy can be built in an opened or closed configuration. The methods provided for doing this are less than optimal, so I came up with my own. I cut some pieces from clear acetate to attach the hatches to the canopy. I've already done this with the smaller hatch.

 

 

Once glued in place with some PVA canopy adhesive the acetate effectively holds the hatches in place. A little weathering will help disguise the faintly visible adhesive.

 

 

Here's the first pass on the paint for the crew. 

 

 

Here's what they look like with a shadow wash and some highlights. I gave the shirtless man a sunburn. Now all they need are some shoes and a little dust and they'll be good to go.

 

 

The final pass on the crew with a shadow wash, some highlighting and oh yeah, shoes!

 

 

It's finally complete! The last one for 2024. Here's a quick shot with the plans and crew.

All I need to do now is set up my little studio and get some proper photos.

 

Thanks to all of you who followed along and offered your tips, comments and support. Once I get some photos done I'll be posting this in the "Under Glass" section.

Thanks again,

David G. 

 

[rssschris]

Thank you for this, I really enjoyed following this build.

Chris

[David G.]

2 hours ago, rssschris said:

Thank you for this, I really enjoyed following this build.

Chris

I'm really glad to know that you enjoyed following along.

Thank you for letting me know that Chris.

I'm just getting ready to post some photos of the finished build. I'll throw a link here once I get that set up.

Thanks Again.

David G.

[HJK]

Hi there David, that was a long and winding road to finish this plane model. It came out marvelous and I really like the shark's mouth on the nose.

May I ask what method you chose in the end to get the balance of the model? Thanks for sharing and until next time. Juergen

[David G.]

1 hour ago, HJK said:

Hi there David, that was a long and winding road to finish this plane model. It came out marvelous and I really like the shark's mouth on the nose.

May I ask what method you chose in the end to get the balance of the model? Thanks for sharing and until next time. Juergen

Thank you very much Juergen. I'm rather pleased with the way it all turned out.

For supporting the tail I tried using a ladder in the aft hatch but that proved too fragile. Just in handling the plane I broke it twice and mended it once. Instead I made a strut from clear sprue anchored inside the plane and extending through the hole intended to accommodate a similar kit-supplied strut.

 

Thank you again for your kind comment.

I'm working on posting some photos in the "Under Glass" section but the website is being difficult right now and will not accept my post. I'll try again later.

=D- 

[David G.]

Hello Everybody!

I've been having troubles posting photos of this completed build in the "Under Glass" section but I finally got something to work so here's the link:

Thanks for your interest and support.

David G.

[mustang1989]

I can't tell you how much fun it was to follow along with this one Dave. One thing I like about aircraft/ military builds is the ability to add weathering to add not only interest but to bring out some of the normal wear and tear associated with a wartime subject. In my case, weathering also doubles to cover up any boo-boo's that I make. lol 

Very well built, painted and weathered and I absolutely love the shark mouth on this one. 

[David G.]

19 hours ago, mustang1989 said:

I can't tell you how much fun it was to follow along with this one Dave. One thing I like about aircraft/ military builds is the ability to add weathering to add not only interest but to bring out some of the normal wear and tear associated with a wartime subject. In my case, weathering also doubles to cover up any boo-boo's that I make. lol 

Very well built, painted and weathered and I absolutely love the shark mouth on this one. 

Thank you Joe, I'm glad to know that you liked the build thread. I do enjoy making them almost as much as I like building the models.

I thought that's why weathering was invented... to cover errors and mistakes. The added realism being just a side benefit.  

Yeah, I was a little concerned about both the weathering being a little too heavy and the shark mouth being a little too much. But it seems that they both worked out well, thanks for confirming that.

I hope your 2025 is happy, healthy and productive.

Thanks again,

David G.