What if

GROUP BUILDS => 2015 Group Builds => The Knackers Yard => The Cold War GB => Topic started by: van883 on January 01, 2016, 09:41:17 AM

Title: A-61K Black Widow
Post by: van883 on January 01, 2016, 09:41:17 AM
I have just started a Novo Black Widow and decided to do it as  Vietnam era A-61K.

Back story: Following the embarrassing failure of the F-82 and early jet night fighters, the P-61 (later F-61) continued in production until 1949. It gave good service over Korea. Many airframes were placed in storage after the end of that conflict. Some were  later refurbished with strengthened airframes by On Mark Engineering for firebombing duties. Many more were then rebuilt by the same company  during the Vietnam conflict.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi54.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg83%2Fvan883%2FDSCN8323_zpse3gyoryw.jpg&hash=e6c959cc28a2ce7e3782319ab8fc61de7f4537d8)
Title: Re: A-61K Black Widow
Post by: scooter on January 01, 2016, 09:45:19 AM
Always nice to see another Widow being built :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A-61K Black Widow
Post by: kerick on January 01, 2016, 06:15:26 PM
Are you keeping the original engines or going turbo?
I've got a Monogram 1/48th P-61 in the stash I've considered upgrading. I'll be watching to see your take on it.
Title: Re: A-61K Black Widow
Post by: van883 on January 03, 2016, 01:14:13 AM
It will have radials. I am building it as an alternative to the Invader
Title: Re: A-61K Black Widow
Post by: The Chaos on January 03, 2016, 03:49:08 AM
Oh a Novo Nice
Title: Re: A-61K Black Widow
Post by: McColm on January 03, 2016, 04:09:15 AM
That same kit arrived yesterday along with the Martin Baltimore MkV-F339
Title: Re: A-61K Black Widow
Post by: scooter on January 03, 2016, 05:21:59 AM
Quote from: kerick on January 01, 2016, 06:15:26 PM
Are you keeping the original engines or going turbo?
I've got a Monogram 1/48th P-61 in the stash I've considered upgrading. I'll be watching to see your take on it.

If you do, Kerick, you'll need to rebuild the pylons.  It's still molded for diorama building. Revellogram never updated the mold.  That was the snag I hit on mine.
Title: Re: A-61K Black Widow
Post by: van883 on January 03, 2016, 10:28:37 AM
Here are some pics of WIP
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi54.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg83%2Fvan883%2F20160103_181759_zpspsthhmt5.jpg&hash=e04d1eb6a0738ebd54d04740383bbc6faf936904)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi54.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg83%2Fvan883%2F20160103_181746_zpsgaq1mo7b.jpg&hash=d3cdab7dfd22ce7bba0913571a931f0b2d063154)
Title: Re: A-61K Black Widow
Post by: Librarian on January 03, 2016, 12:09:45 PM
I'm looking forward to see how this turns out :wub:. Planning a 'Farm-Gate' P-61 along different lines, but it's real nice to see that SEA camo going on.
Title: Re: A-61K Black Widow
Post by: kerick on January 03, 2016, 01:03:05 PM
Quote from: scooter on January 03, 2016, 05:21:59 AM
Quote from: kerick on January 01, 2016, 06:15:26 PM
Are you keeping the original engines or going turbo?
I've got a Monogram 1/48th P-61 in the stash I've considered upgrading. I'll be watching to see your take on it.

If you do, Kerick, you'll need to rebuild the pylons.  It's still molded for diorama building. Revellogram never updated the mold.  That was the snag I hit on mine.
Its an older kit so I expect some work will have to be done.
I'll have to snag better weapon pylons from a Skyraider.
Quote from: van883 on January 03, 2016, 10:28:37 AM
Here are some pics of WIP
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi54.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg83%2Fvan883%2F20160103_181759_zpspsthhmt5.jpg&hash=e04d1eb6a0738ebd54d04740383bbc6faf936904)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi54.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg83%2Fvan883%2F20160103_181746_zpsgaq1mo7b.jpg&hash=d3cdab7dfd22ce7bba0913571a931f0b2d063154)

Your paint is looking great!
Title: Re: A-61K Black Widow
Post by: Captain Canada on January 03, 2016, 07:37:54 PM
Great idea and it's already looking so good !  :wub:
Title: Re: A-61K Black Widow
Post by: Raptormodeller on January 09, 2016, 05:46:38 AM
Great idea, that thing looks menacing on its own; even without butchery sorry, kitbashing. Best of luck   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A-61K Black Widow
Post by: van883 on January 11, 2016, 01:02:02 PM
All done!
(http://://www.flickr.com/photos/16791270@N08/36607209614/in/album-72157687096883764/"%20title="italeri_b-57b_paint_guide_old_tn"><img%20src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4500/36607209614_1ee68928a3_b.jpg"%20width="911"%20height="522"%20alt="italeri_b-57b_paint_guide_old_tn"></a><script%20async%20src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"%20charset="utf-8"></script>)
Posted in finished builds:
(http://://www.flickr.com/photos/16791270@N08/36647123163/in/photostream/"%20title="DSCN8388"><img%20src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4397/36647123163_ef1729f946_k.jpg"%20width="2048"%20height="1456"%20alt="DSCN8388"></a><script%20async%20src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"%20charset="utf-8"></script>)
(http://://www.flickr.com/photos/16791270@N08/37269539846"%20title="DSCN8389"><img%20src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4378/37269539846_7a28aef351_k.jpg"%20width="2048"%20height="1608"%20alt="DSCN8389"></a><script%20async%20src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"%20charset="utf-8"></script>)
(http://://www.flickr.com/photos/16791270@N08/37060650390/in/dateposted/"%20title="DSCN8386"><img%20src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4394/37060650390_9c054fd448_k.jpg"%20width="2048"%20height="1536"%20alt="DSCN8386"></a><script%20async%20src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"%20charset="utf-8"></script>)
(http://://www.flickr.com/photos/16791270@N08/37269539846/in/dateposted/"%20title="DSCN8389"><img%20src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4378/37269539846_7a28aef351_k.jpg"%20width="2048"%20height="1608"%20alt="DSCN8389"></a><script%20async%20src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"%20charset="utf-8"></script>)

http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,41605.msg715060.html#msg715060 (http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,41605.msg715060.html#msg715060)
Title: Re: A-61K Black Widow
Post by: PR19_Kit on January 11, 2016, 02:36:54 PM
That really looks the part.  :thumbsup: :bow:

I keep getting flashbacks to an AC-119K I built years ago in a similar scheme though.  ;D
Title: Re: A-61K Black Widow
Post by: Gondor on January 11, 2016, 02:58:37 PM
That looks the part  :thumbsup:

Gondor
Title: Re: A-61K Black Widow
Post by: Captain Canada on January 11, 2016, 03:51:25 PM
Great job ! And nice start to the GB !

:cheers:
Title: Re: A-61K Black Widow
Post by: kerick on January 11, 2016, 05:31:41 PM
Would have given the Invader a run for its money!
Title: Re: A-61K Black Widow
Post by: loupgarou on January 12, 2016, 03:14:08 AM
Very nice.
And you managed to beat Dizzy to the finish line! Unglaublich!  :o  ;D
Title: Re: A-61K Black Widow
Post by: Librarian on January 12, 2016, 08:48:28 AM
...and it does look so right. Could have had quite a few uses in the 'real' world. SEA camo is :wub:.
Title: Re: A-61K Black Widow
Post by: kerick on January 12, 2016, 10:25:38 AM
I know your finished but I just thought of this. If the P/F-61 is now an attack aircraft it wouldn't need that obsolete dead weight radar anymore. Pack the nose with guns like the B-25. Food for thought next time around.
Title: Re: A-61K Black Widow
Post by: van883 on January 12, 2016, 12:51:51 PM
Quote from: kerick on January 12, 2016, 10:25:38 AM
I know your finished but I just thought of this. If the P/F-61 is now an attack aircraft it wouldn't need that obsolete dead weight radar anymore. Pack the nose with guns like the B-25. Food for thought next time around.
I did think of that but it already has 4 20mm cannon and I think the nose is quite short and has a rather small cross section for guns. The P-61E's nose was longer and had guns, but I did not feel like doing any surgery on the kit.
Title: Re: A-61K Black Widow
Post by: kerick on January 12, 2016, 05:34:56 PM
Quote from: van883 on January 12, 2016, 12:51:51 PM
Quote from: kerick on January 12, 2016, 10:25:38 AM
I know your finished but I just thought of this. If the P/F-61 is now an attack aircraft it wouldn't need that obsolete dead weight radar anymore. Pack the nose with guns like the B-25. Food for thought next time around.
I did think of that but it already has 4 20mm cannon and I think the nose is quite short and has a rather small cross section for guns. The P-61E's nose was longer and had guns, but I did not feel like doing any surgery on the kit.

Ill have to make a note of it if I ever get around to building my Monogram version.
Title: Re: A-61K Black Widow
Post by: NARSES2 on January 13, 2016, 08:27:27 AM
That's come out really well  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A-61K Black Widow
Post by: van883 on January 13, 2016, 09:42:22 AM
 :cheers:
Title: Re: A-61K Black Widow
Post by: Dizzyfugu on January 14, 2016, 02:04:20 AM
Way cool.  :thumbsup: