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Background
I
have always wanted to build a Black Widow, but somehow I never got around to
doing it. So when I saw the reissued Revell/Monogram 1/48 P-61 at my local hobby
shop, I did not think twice and purchased it.
The
Kit
The
kit is basically the old Monogram kit in a Revell box with different and more
attractive box art. Not a very difficult kit to put together. But I have seen
better fitting kits then this. Detail level is typical Monogram which is good.
It also comes with a bunch of figures and an oil drum to start one off with a
diorama. In my opinion, this kit is crying to be modeled into a diorama, because
there is a bunch of stuff on the kit which could be displayed well in a diorama.
The kit comes molded in black making painting a bit difficult as the scheme I
wanted to do is black. It is also a heavy tail sitter, there must be adequate
weight put into the nose to stop it from sitting on its tail. Monogram included
a prop/stand made of clear plastic to poke into the rear of the plane to stop it
from tail sitting.
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Construction
was quite straight forward. I had no major problems, but one area to watch is
the main gear doors....the fit for the doors are very bad. There are few
versions to choose from a combination of (European theater and Pacific theater
of operations). I modeled my Widow as “Times
a Wasting” from
the Pacific theater as I felt that this aircraft gave the Black Widow its glory
plus I liked the nose art. The Aircraft was finished using Revell and Model
Master enamels with the major colours of Matt Black and Interior Green. The
aircraft was also weathered quite heavily with poster colours and oil pastels.
Paint chipping was achieved using a toothpick as well as slapping silver with a
small brush.
Displaying
Since,
I wanted to display the model with all the figures, I decided to make a small
diorama. Nothing fancy just the plane with figures and a self made ladder and
wooden platform. The base was made out of modeling clay. Ground textures were
simulated and various imprints were made on the clay. Once dry a fine wire mesh
was then rapped around the base to simulate the "Marsden" matting
area. Once rapped into place, the whole base was airbrushed a mixture of earth
shades to simulate the ground. Once dry a bit of rust water, and oxide brown was
brushed on the netting to simulate rust. Silver paint was also slapped on to
simulate chippings. Finally the base was sprinkled with simulated grass the
(Model Rail Road type)
Then
the aircraft was laid out on the base and the figures positioned. I also
included the figures from the C-47 Monogram Skytrain kit. Next soaked tissue was
used to simulate the tarpaulin covers. Lastly various odds and ends were added
such as the oil drum, ladder, platform etc. One might ask why the pictures are
not in colour. Well, I was trying to simulate the era and colour glossy prints
do not depict the era well in my opinion.
S.B.
(Brian)
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