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| Revell 1/48 Northrop P-61 A/B Black Widow | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Sep 22 2014, 11:49 AM (791 Views) | |
| Mark M | Sep 22 2014, 11:49 AM Post #1 |
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Hawk T1
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REVELL 1/48 Northrop P-61 A/B Black Widow![]() ![]() The largest and heaviest US fighter of World War II was the P-61. It was initially developed specifically as a night fighter. Its vast arsenal consisted of a rotating gun turret with four 50 calibre machine guns and four 20 mm cannon in the belly-pod. Due to the black paint finish, it received the nickname Black Widow . The Northrop company began preparation of for mass production in 1941 still during the design and development phase of the two prototypes. Production of a total of 726 P-61's ran from August 1943 and included more than 13 variants. The 6th Night Fighter Squadron undertook its first missions in the Pacific theatre starting in May 1944. The 422nd NFS received their first machines in England a short time later. In July 1944, Northrop began series production of a total 450 P-61B's with a more powerful radar and a radar warning device at the rear. 250 of these aircraft were fitted with a turret originally designed for the B-29. A total of 128 aerial victories by the P-61 have been officially recognized. Four of them are still preserved today. The Kit This kits origins lead back to 1974 with the initial release from Monogram but has subsequently been updated a couple of times - Detailed cockpit with instrument panel - Detailed pilot seat - Moveable quad machine guns in revolving turret - 4 detailed cannon - Detailed radar nose - Moveable propeller - Detailed P&W radial engine - Structured surfaces - Detailed under-carriage - Entry hatch with ladder - Additional fuel tanks - Antenna's ![]() The instructions.... The instructions are of Revell's usual style in booklet form and have Revell colour call outs only, and again some paints will need mixing. There are 16 pages containing 44 steps for the build. ![]() ![]() The decals These are of Revell usual high standard and are very crisp, and are in good register (printed in Italy) Markings are for 2 aircraft - P-61B-1-NO, 42-39468, Moonlight Serenade , 13th AF, 550th NFS, Morotai Island, November 1944 - P-61A-1, 42-5524, Midnight Mickey , 7th AF, 6th NFS, Saipan, December 1944 ![]() The Plastic... The box contains a mass of plastic but sadly due to its age these are of poor quality and have raised details, and raised date stamp on the tail. The tooling is also showing its age as there is a large amount of flash on the sprue’s. However this kit gives you options for opening hatches, panels and dropping the flaps and there is a very nice amount of detail in there to adequately show off the P-61. There is plenty of glazing in this kit to give nightmares, but id suggest looking out for the masking set that was released for the last boxing of the kit. The glazing is a little on the thick side. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() In Conclusion This is a welcome re-release of an iconic aircraft, this will build into an impressive model at over 30cm long and 40cm wide. However here are a few issues with this kit, firstly as mentioned this kit is not up to the current standards of nicely recessed panel lines and well its a major tail sitter, Revell provide you with w clear rod to prop up the rear but i think that detracts from the model so my suggestion would be Leave out the radar in the nose and pack that with as much weight as you can get it and add as much weight behind the engine cowls as you can too and then add white metal undercarriage as she’s going to be heavy. Not one for the beginner but one i look forward to building Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For details visit www.revell.de/en, @RevellGermany or facebook.com/Revell a new-look Revell website has now gone live at www.revell.de/en. It’s a worthwhile newspiece as it’s very different from before! ![]() |
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| Deleted User | Sep 22 2014, 11:56 AM Post #2 |
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Deleted User
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Its nice to see it in grey styrene but I think I would rather buy the Great wall kit which has come down nicely in price. Great review though |
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| Olde Farte | Sep 22 2014, 12:20 PM Post #3 |
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Lt. Derek 'Smurfy' Reeve
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I do believe that a firm called Aurora produced the original kit before Monogram took it over on their demise. I built the P-61 kit during the mid/late '50s before I discovered 1/1 scale females and it definitely wasn't Monogram then. |
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| Simon G | Sep 22 2014, 01:54 PM Post #4 |
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heavy weatherer
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Think this is a Monogram tooling Del. Si. |
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| DevilFish | Sep 22 2014, 02:19 PM Post #5 |
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LCDR Paul "Voodoo" Carter
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Yep, Monogram tooling.... http://s15.zetaboards.com/Mainly_Military/topic/7748479/1/#new |
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| Olde Farte | Sep 22 2014, 02:28 PM Post #6 |
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Lt. Derek 'Smurfy' Reeve
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OK thanks. Monogram did produce quite a few of the old Aurora kits and did retool certain sections i.e. their F-111 being just one. |
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| Deleted User | Sep 22 2014, 02:33 PM Post #7 |
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Deleted User
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Ive got 2 of there C-119's bloody awful things |
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| DevilFish | Sep 22 2014, 03:20 PM Post #8 |
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LCDR Paul "Voodoo" Carter
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Well, depite it's age, it goes together pretty well and in my opinion, makes a pretty good representation of a P-61. As long as you do your research as to which variant you are doing..... |
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| Deleted User | Sep 23 2014, 12:40 AM Post #9 |
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Deleted User
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I built this kit years ago back when it came in black styrene. It did go together quite nicely and the detail isn't bad for a kit of this age. The fact its now in grey styrene does make it more appealing but its a shame theres the GW kits as I would go for those now. But for the money it isnt a bad kit at all |
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| DH764 | Sep 23 2014, 06:21 PM Post #10 |
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Totally Tonkas Bonkas !!
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Shep Payne inspired dio......lovely kit ...not a shake n bake by any margin but well worth the effort. Built OOB except for the ladders and workbench ![]() Andy |
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| Olde Farte | Sep 24 2014, 07:58 AM Post #11 |
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Lt. Derek 'Smurfy' Reeve
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Great build & finish on a very nice dio'. |
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