Northrop XP-61 Black Widow #720 (prototype with turret) COMPLETED

It is no problem to add the 3rd dimension by using pieces of plastic rod (round or rectangular) for knobs and pieces of wire for switches.  

 

 

At the beginning I was surprised how different are the parts from Eduard in comparison with the kit part. The solution is simple: the kit of the P-61A contains radar equipment from an P-61B! Eduards parts for the frames are truly a masterpiece.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the middle of the steering column was the Northrop logo: a kind of black bird-styled N on white ground.  

The silver bottle on the left side of the gunner was the heater.  

 

Unfortunately Eduards PE-set for front cockpit consists harnes only for one seat🙁 so I had to improvise: make 3 fro 2🙂 

 

 

 

Two holder parts for the extinguisher in place. 

 

I could not decide if the hatch should be open or closed... Because of that I designed it movable.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Between the hatch and fixed frame it was a gap. It was tricky to fill them with a thin stripe of bend plastic. Unfortunately GWH designed the canopy with a mistake: both half round panels should have the same size&shape. Pilots glasspanel is smaller🙁 

Gap in front of the canopy filled with plastic. 

Monogram colour chips: left field green, right olive drab.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both openings enlarged from 13 mm to 15,5-16 mm. Because still to small: abandoned, 

 

 

Gearbox without cylindrical fairing for better airflow. 

Left engine aprox. 130, right engine aprox. 90 additional "parts" later... Crazy? Nope: P&W excited🙂 

Open Engine 2.0: completed minus inner structure for cooling flaps and horizontal frames  

Open engine 2.0. The diameter increased with rings from 0,6 mm wire on the base of the cylinders. 

Closed engine 1.0: a hybrid made of kit parts and Brassin-gearbox. 

Finally completed: open engine 2.0. The framing is much durable than the pendant from Brassin but I think Brassin is a bit to delicate in comparison with the original. 

 

This was damn complicated to fit the manifold pipes and the exhaust stacks between the supporting arms of the cooling flaps ring... 

In direct comparison the difference of both cowling is nearly "shocking". I'm really happy that I decided to build the open engine a second time. 

Everything is right: the opening ends about in the middle of the prop cuffs. Time for a glass red wine! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left rudder & hinges completed (corrected). 

Correcting the width of the cutouts for hinges.  

Thinned edges + inner structure (straight, follows not the outer edge of the fin) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Right wing prepared for the 2nd airbrush session.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top: kit. Middle: color chip from Monogram. Bottom: Aeromaster (used). 

 

 

 

All you need: stowage room & area for tools, good light and ventilation🙂 

 

 

 

Semi matt varnish coming soon. 

My intended technique for gluing of a painted wing on painted fuselage without "glue-accidents".  

Actuators for the cooling flaps are in place.  

 

Never give up!!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

?????? This will be the wire antenna.  

 

 

 

Mix of Aluminium (3 parts) and Magnesium (1 Part) Metalizer from Testors for the landing legs.  

 

 

 

The pitot tube is broken of very early and so I waited until the last with the replacement.  

Because I could not decide (open or closed) I attached the hatch moveable.  

 

 

Yagi antenna from 0,4 mm brass tube. The holder is from the kit.  

 

The hinges of the hatch were made from rubber line. I fixed the ruber lines in closed position via two 0,25 wire pieces from outside. Both holes are not visible in this picture.  

The base plate for the spinner cone is well visible (circle of 0,3 mm plastic). 

The spoilers were operated simultaneously to the ailerons (to enhance their effect).  

 

 

 

 

The yellow paint I mixed from H154 (matt yellow), interior green and H127 (light grey) to match the decalscolor (#720). 

 

The T-shaped antennas were soldered from 0,5 mm wire for better strength.  

The cone was mounted via several screws. Each "screw" is simulated with a 0,25 mm hole (aprox 0,4-0,5 mm deep). 

Here as well I used rubber line to pull the hatch close in the right position.  

The original has above both trim tabs 2 white position lights. In the kit they are missing.  

The antenna mast is made from 0,5 mm wire and has on the flattened end a hole for the antenna wire (from nylon).  

Isolator from round rod. 

 

0,5" Brownings: perforated tubes from Karaya and 0,55 mm needles.  

 

The OD is in this picture a bit too green (not correct white balance). Correction of the pic coming soon.