**** DONE: 1/48 P-61B Black Widow - Pacific Theatre of Operations II

[Crimea_River]

Good work Mike. Seems to me the nose cone was not hinged.

 

[mikewint]

How would they get to the radar? Would seem very clumsy to have to remove the entire nose. Anyone know for sure?

 

[Crimea_River]

All the pics I've seen, which is not a lot, show the nose removed.

 

[Wurger]

Here you are..

 

[Night Fighter Nut]

I just had a look at your decals and yes, they are of the correct color and the correct number. Did you get those from Zotz? Zotz does good work and is where I've gotten decals in the past. By the way, incase anyone else is interested. The owner of Zotz Decals frequents a Large Scale Planes model website and keeps a running thread offering to make whatever decal you need in whatever scale you need... for a price of course.

Great job Mike.

 

[mikewint]

Wurger, thanks for the pics, the white on the nose would indicate that this is the "A" version. The "B" version had a longer nose (8in (20.3cm) longer accordind to the directions) is it possible they hinged that?
NFN, thanks for looking and checking. The decals are from "Print Scale". They seem to be good quality and have directions for 6 different versions. Found them on line from Ebay. Otherwise Great Wall's kit of the "Lady" was almost $70 with shipping.

 

[Airframes]

The 'B' and 'C' versions, even though they had the nose extended by 8 inches behind the radar, still retained the same, glass-fibre radome as the 'A' model, which was removable, but not hinged.

 

[mikewint]

Thank you Terry. Think I'll just use the nose for weights

 

[parsifal]

I really like how your progressing with this one Mike. keep it up mate

 

[mikewint]

Thanks Parsifal, weather has been cold/snow/ice since the begining of the month but... warming up this week to near 70F (21.1C) so progress will slow...got to spend time down at the dock with the boat

 

[mikewint]

Forward ever forward, Left and right boom halves wheel well painted; main landing gear struts installed; main landing gear wheels painted and installed; landing gear doors installed; detailed motor installed in boom; wing fuel tanks painted; wings installed in body

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Your pushing on well there Mike, I like it.

 

[Night Fighter Nut]

Mike, for the nose weights, you could use JB weld to hold the small ball fishing weights in place. Keep going, looking great.

 

[Airframes]

Easiest and most effective way to hold the weights in place, whether shot, fishing weights, lead strip or old bolts, is to mould 'Plasticine' ( kid's synthetic, 'plastic', modelling clay) around them, in the nose area. This not only ensures the weights are held in place without fuss or mess, but the 'Plasticine' itself also adds weight. It also eliminates any possibility of too much adhesive, resin or other 'sticky stuff' damaging or melting the plastic from the inside.

 

[mikewint]

Terry @ NFN, good ideas. I have lots of shotgun shot #7 laying around and I always keep JB weld. There's a small craft store in town will check on modeling clay next time in town

 

[Airframes]

Kid's toy shop is probably the best place for the 'Plasticine' Mike. Not sure what it's called in the USA, as the name is a Trademark, but I'm sure there'll be the same stuff. It normally comes 'flat packed', in strips, or bars, which are 'ribbed', and each strip is a different, bright colour.

 

[Crimea_River]

Toys R Us will have it. And it's called Plasticine up here in Canader too.

 

[mikewint]

I'm also looking into Tungsten Putty. We discussed this stuff in a thread back when. Made from powdered Tungsten it is moldable so would serve the same purpose as the clay but be much heavier. Tends to be a bit expensive, about $5 US per ounce (28 -30g) but I'll only need it on tricycle models so I may invest just to have it around.

 

[vikingBerserker]

Dang, I wish I had heard of that stuff with my Viggen, that would have been perfect to use. Thanks for the heads up on that.

 

[mikewint]

It was discussed on an old thread on weights. Mostly it is sold for Pinewood Derby cars