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

[mikewint]

Many thanks to all for your kind comments. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, been fiddling with fussy stuff. The weighted nose cone kept falling off so I had to glue it in place, adios radar. Filled in some bad seams, applied some hidden decals, finished the cockpit canopy, and re-painted the entire plane.
Some more work on the bottom, decals, and I done

 

[Wurger]

Not bad..

 

[Night Fighter Nut]

I hate to tell you this Mike but the window next to the gunner is hinged on the bottom, not the top. This was so the crew could climb out onto the wing.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

I hate to tell you this Mike but the window next to the gunner is hinged on the bottom, not the top. This was so the crew could climb out onto the wing.

OH!!

Even so Mike she is really looking good.

 

[Crimea_River]

Sure does.

 

[mikewint]

My thanks to all, including the NFN trouble maker.
Directions did not call for the window to be opened. They either wanted it left off or glued closed. I thought either was silly, Sooo, since the top window opened up and out I figgured the side would do the same, 50-50 shot at it. Him going to stay that way now...
Actually, in a earlier combat, the bottom hinge had been shot completely off and was deemed unrepairable so a field repair was made hinging it at the top (little known fact about this aircraft)

 

[Catch22]

Nice job Mike.

 

[fubar57]

Yep, looking good, now it's time to weather that sucker.

Geo

 

[Airframes]

Nice work Mike - and a good line in BS too - but I'll believe you!
Just one thing - the paint on the frames of the clear parts looks a tad 'thin' - maybe another coat, and paint the exposed edges, would improve it and, if possible, paint the internal frames.
If a canopy is going to remain closed, then a quick 'cheat' is to paint the internal frame colour on the outside first, then paint the external colour over the top of that. It looks acceptable enough through the canopy, although I'll admit I always prefer to try, whenever possible, to paint the inside of the frames themselves, especially if a canopy or hatch is modelled in the open position.

 

[mikewint]

Terry, B.S.??, MOI! Shirley you Jest. Says so in the Book!
I can get to the bottom edge, noticed that on the pic when I look at it but as for the inside... The frame is/was molded on the outside so I had a groove to follow but the inside is smooth so nothing to follow. I'll look closely and see if I can work something out

 

[parsifal]

well Mike, i really like it. if i could do half as well, id die a happy man

 

[Night Fighter Nut]

Mike, you're doing fine. if you paint the windows again and accidentally get a little on the regular glass, a wooden tooth pick or wooden match works great for cleaning up the lines without scratching it. you know, I think I saw that repair in the McGyver tech manual.

 

[Airframes]

Terry, B.S.??, MOI! Shirley you Jest. Says so in the Book!
I can get to the bottom edge, noticed that on the pic when I look at it but as for the inside... The frame is/was molded on the outside so I had a groove to follow but the inside is smooth so nothing to follow. I'll look closely and see if I can work something out

No problem - but don't call me Shirley ...............

 

[Night Fighter Nut]

 

[Wayne Little]

Like it Mike!

 

[mikewint]

Michael, the biggest factor, for me, was getting an airbrush and learning how to use it. REALLY skilled people can brush smooth finishes but that's not an easy skill to acquire and it is not one of mine. Other than that I can't hold a candle to the skill level of people like Wayne, Terry, Vic, etc. I stand in awe of what they can think to do and then actually do it.
Wayne many thanks finger paints and crayons in comparison
Bill going to see if I can fix the window. And I like Shirley..

 

[Totalize]

Mike,

This is a wicked looking airplane. Great choice and great work on this kit.
I really like what you have done with it.

 

[mikewint]

Beautiful day outside, 82F(28C) sunny and a light breeze so not much done inside. Front canopy installed and "glued" with Future, gunner's window now opens from bottom, front receiving antennas and pitot tube installed and rear canopy "glued" with radar operator's window left open from the bottom (I hope)
ALMOST!

 

[Wurger]

Looking good.

 

[Night Fighter Nut]

Doing a great job...