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

[David G.]

Hello Everybody!

I am unable to post any photos at this time, I keep getting the "Page Not Found" error. I'll keep trying until something works   

At least once a year I try to step outside of my comfort zone and build something different from the model cars or trucks that I typically build. The Northrop P-61 Black Widow by Revell is this year's challenging diversion. I built one of these kits as a teenager back in the mid Seventies. So, yeah, it's a nostalgia build.

This is also my final build for 2024.

It seems that many of the P-61 model kits I found during my on-line research were finished in the typical black livery. However, not all of the actual aircraft were finished in this manner, there were some in various shades of army green. Based on the photos I've seen of actual aircraft, I decided to paint mine in Tamiya AS-29 Gray Green.

This is the shot I selected for the album cover.

 

Given that the kit comes with openable access panels, I felt the need to use some weathering to create a reason to have them open. Hence the fire damage to the left engine.

 

While not tremendously detailed, the engine behind the panels does offer some visual interest.

 

 

This side fared a little better with a minor fuel leak. The ground crew is standing by to top 'er up.

 

The nose art is a leftover. I think it works well enough

 

For those who may be interested in seeing just how much work this build entailed, here is a link to the WIP thread:

As always, thanks for taking the time to look and please feel free to post any comments or questions you may have.

I'll have more photos to post soon.

Thanks,

David G.

Edited January 4 by David G.
Problem posting, I keep getting a "Page Not Found" error.

[David G.]

Hello everybody!

I was finally able to get the photo upload working for the previous post, so in celebration, here's another set!

I made a tarmac to park it on from an old piece of artboard.

 

 

Though not very visible, the interior has some nice detail.

 

 

I used some thin gauge steel wire for the antenna.

 

 

I think one of the features that first appealed to me years ago was the removeable panels and exposed engine. I still like them.

 

As always, thanks for taking the time to look and please feel free to post your comments.

David G.

[Jim B]

Great looking P-61.  Looks very different in the green instead of the usual black.  Well done.

[michelle]

awesome work it turned out great 

[stavanzer]

Very Sharp for a kit originally tooled by Aurora Plastics in the early 1970's.

You have done it justice.

[shoopdog]

What a great looking build!

Ive been working on this kit for the last couple of months, definitely not as nice as yours.

[David G.]

22 hours ago, Jim B said:

Great looking P-61.  Looks very different in the green instead of the usual black.  Well done.

Thank you James.

 

20 hours ago, michelle said:

awesome work it turned out great 

Thank you very much Michelle.

 

17 hours ago, stavanzer said:

Very Sharp for a kit originally tooled by Aurora Plastics in the early 1970's.

You have done it justice.

Thank you Alan, I found your suggestions and information quite helpful.

 

15 hours ago, shoopdog said:

What a great looking build!

Ive been working on this kit for the last couple of months, definitely not as nice as yours.

Thank you Keith, Do you have a WIP thread going? If you do, I'd like to follow along.

Thanks again everybody.

David G.

[shoopdog]

41 minutes ago, David G. said:

Do you have a WIP thread going?

No sir I do not.

[David G.]

22 hours ago, shoopdog said:

No sir I do not.

 

I'll keep an eye out for photos when you get it finished.

=D-

[David G.]

Hello Everybody!

Here's the next photo set for Revell's Northrop P-61 Black Widow.
Just one more after this. I promise  

In addition to the removeable panels, this kit comes with the fuel barrel and three figures shown.

 

 

Many builders fill the nose cap with weight to balance this tail-heavy plane. I wanted to retain the ability to display the radar unit so I used a clear styrene rod to support the tail.

 

 

Not having much detail, the figures add to the scene without drawing attention away from the plane. I did scratch build the crate that the crewman is standing on.

 

As always, thanks for taking the time to look and please feel free to post your comments.

David G.

[TonyK]

This is a great looking model! The well done figures add to your scene and the weathering is excellent. Lots of patience with all the canopy painting it would seem.

[David G.]

20 hours ago, TonyK said:

This is a great looking model! The well done figures add to your scene and the weathering is excellent. Lots of patience with all the canopy painting it would seem.

Thank you kindly Tony.

Yes indeed, a lot of patience was required for the entire build.

David G.

[ybsluos]

David this is phenomenal!  Glad to see it done.  I’ve got to finish mine.  Great job brother.- Mark

[David G.]

8 hours ago, ybsluos said:

David this is phenomenal!  Glad to see it done.  I’ve got to finish mine.  Great job brother.- Mark

Thank you Mark, I appreciate your kind comment.

I'd love to see your build of this kit, do you have any photos posted?

David G.

[David G.]

Hello Everybody!

Here is the final photo set for Revell's Northrop P-61 Black Widow.

A low angle shot with dramatic lighting.

 

 

Another low angle shot with dramatic lighting.

 

 

Finally, my traditional Display Case photo!

 

Thank you all for your kindness,  patience and support.

David G.

[slusher]

Fantastic Build David, I like the guy working on the wing/engine!

[David G.]

22 hours ago, slusher said:

Fantastic Build David, I like the guy working on the wing/engine!

Thank you kindly Carl.

The ground crew and removeable panels were the features that drew me to this kit when I first bought and built one as a teenager. I still like them today.

David G.

[ybsluos]

On 1/9/2025 at 6:48 AM, David G. said:

Thank you Mark, I appreciate your kind comment.

I'd love to see your build of this kit, do you have any photos posted?

David G.

No David. I don’t have any pictures of it posted yet.  I will try to get some up soon. I basically have just painted the inside or the fuselage painted with my own mixed zinc chromate.  Mine is gonna be pretty tame compared to yours. I think I’m just going to leave it mostly black. I mainly built cars so the planes are just a little out of my comfort zone. I think I’m gonna keep this build relatively simple, but I will still post pictures on it. Like I say it’s pretty tame compared to yours. But yours is giving me tons of inspiration! I’ll let you know when I get some pictures up. 

[David G.]

7 hours ago, ybsluos said:

No David. I don’t have any pictures of it posted yet.  I will try to get some up soon. I basically have just painted the inside or the fuselage painted with my own mixed zinc chromate.  Mine is gonna be pretty tame compared to yours. I think I’m just going to leave it mostly black. I mainly built cars so the planes are just a little out of my comfort zone. I think I’m gonna keep this build relatively simple, but I will still post pictures on it. Like I say it’s pretty tame compared to yours. But yours is giving me tons of inspiration! I’ll let you know when I get some pictures up. 

I do look forward to seeing some photos Mark. There's nothing wrong with a simple build. I usually have three builds going at the same time and almost always, at least one of those builds is what I would consider a simple build. 

I'm glad to know that you've drawn inspiration from the work I've done, thank you for sharing that Mark.

I think it's good to step out of one's comfort zone on occasion. Every year I try to challenge myself with building something that I wouldn't normally build, that's what this build was for me. A step outside my comfort zone.

Anyway, I'm glad to know that you liked it and I'm looking forward to seeing photos of yours when you post them.

David G.