SimonT - Hobbyboss 1/72 P61-C Black Widow

[SimonT]

I haven't completed a plane since I was a young lad many moons ago - started three over the last few years but they all fell by the wayside so the likelihood of finishing this is not good

Have always liked the shape of these things and bought this on impulse recently from Creatives weekly sale - luckily (?) this GB came along to rescue it before it sank too far into the stash

I shall give it a go but don't hold your breath....


a colour print of one scheme and a set of instructions





lots of bits


transparencies nicely covered in foam, a very small etch fret and a set of decals

Made a start on cleaning up some parts

A bit of dry fitting shows that there are going to be some nasty seams to clean up along the side of the horizontally split fuselage

 

[AlanG]

Simon. Take your time. You've 3 months to do it. Even then if you don't complete i don't mind. It's the taking part that counts and most importantly, interacting and enjoying yourself.

 

[papa 695]

Looks a nice kit Simon

 

[SimonT]

Thanks Al - will see how it goes

Ian - nicely moulded. Most of the sprue gates are on the inside faces of the thin flying surfaces so they take a bit more cleaning off but it preserves the edges. The horizontal cockpit split looks like it may cause a few headaches though

 

[Mickc1440]

You can do it Si, slow and steady

 

[Jim R]

Hi Simon
Interesting. Ugly looking thing. Rather odd construction. There's some pretty big parts to join. I reckon you'll need to get the clamps out.
I have no doubt you'll sort it.
Jim

 

[SimonT]

Mick -

Jim - definitely a thing of purpose that only its mother could love
Always found it odd that it is classed as a fighter given the size and number of crew


Cleaned up a few more parts today but nothing worthy of a photo

Postie did deliver an Eduard cockpit set for it that had jumped into the basket when browsing the Hannants website

 

[scottie3158]

Simon,
I will watch this with interest I also like the look of this aircraft. I have no idea if it was successful or a good aircraft in general.

 

[SimonT]

Hi Scottie - the 'C' had a very short service life span apparently, '45 to '49, and was too late to see action in the war.

 

[SimonT]

Blimey, not done anything on this for a while and the GB is due to finish soon - this will not be done on time

May get finished eventually but not by the deadline, sorry Alan


cockpit side panels shaved where the etch will fit then installed in the fuselage


engines installed in their housings - there were some intake looking things so I drilled them out


lower wings with some bits installed and clamped



tail booms clamped together


rear cockpit shaved of detail and installed


tail elevator thingy (technical term) glued and clamped

So, a little progress.

Unfortunately back to work again - alarm will be going off in just over an hour so I suppose I had better try and get some sleep - so there won't be much done during the week

 

[Jim R]

Hi Simon
Seems to be making good progress now. Some rainbow clamps you have there. Hopefully they'll do their job and the joins will close up nicely.
Jim

 

[SimonT]

Starting to come together Jim

Multi colour clothes pegs from various sources - not a patch on the old wooden ones for clamping force

Recently bought a pack of new wooden ones and they are useless - I think there must be a health and safety directive that says they can not exert any pressure as someone may get their finger trapped. Rubbish

 

[scottie3158]

Simon the sad thing is your are probably right.

 

[minitnkr]

Initially designed as a night fighter, the P61C version was envisioned as a B29 escort with its' 430mph speed, 41,000' ceiling, long range & manueverability. The earlier models were successful night fighters in all theaters of WWII. Your "smooth" version (no top turret) didn't require a gunner & allowed the RO to move up nearer to the pilot. Osprey Aviation #23 Aircraft of the Aces has a nice history of the P61 w/color plates, nose art & detailed line drawings. PaulE