FROG F170 Northrop P-61 Black Widow

Air Enthusiast 1971-06 vol.01 no.01
MODEL ENTHUSIAST

Northrop's nocturnal prowler

A component part of this column will, each month, comprise a page in full colour devoted to one specific aircraft type of which one or more kits are available. We would stress, however, that this page is not intended as a main course satisfying the appetite of the modeller for external finishes of the chosen subject. Owing to limitations on space, the items depicted in colour should be considered more in the nature of hors-d'ceuvres, their task being to titillate the appetite, encouraging the modeller to provide the bulk of the repast with original research of his own.

The subject of this month's colour page is perhaps one of the least colourful and certainly least publicised of any fighter that saw widespread use during World War II, the Northrop P-61 Black Widow. Its choice is appropriate as elsewhere in this issue of the AIR Enthusiast will be found the first detailed account of the development of this mighty warplane.

There are currently three kits of the P-61 Black Widow generally available from the stockists, those from Airfix and Frog being to 1/72nd scale and that from Aurora to 1/48th scale. All three represent the P-61A in outline, the nose of the P-61 В being a mere 8 in (20,32 cm) longer — no great amount on an aeroplane of this size but, nevertheless, noticeable. Both the 1/72nd scale kits possess virtues and faults, and both are generally accurate in outline. The tailbooms of the Airfix "Widow" are about a tenth of an inch too short, and the tip wing flap segments, which could be operated differentially with the spoiler-type ailerons, are iricorrect in shape, while the principal faults of the Frog "Widow" are a foreshortened nose of too slender contour, an excessively-pointed aft transparency, too much taper on the engine cowlings,, oversize vertical surfaces, and too angular wingtips. Most of these errors are, however, readily corrected.

Airfix provides a beautiful revolving gun barbette, the weapons of which may be elevated, but Frog has moulded the turret as a transparency and omitted the guns! The wheels of the Frog model are too small and the undercarriage legs oversimplified, but the arrangement of the well doors is more accurate that that of the Airfix model. Air-fix provides plenty of interior detail while that provided for the Frog model is minimal, and while the surface detail of Airfix's model includes numerous rivets, Frog sticks to straight lines, which in a kit of this scale, we consider preferable. On balance, the Air-fix kit is slightly the better of the two, but the best solution to the problem of creating a really accurate model of the "Widow" is to combine the Airfix fuselage nacelle, engines, engine cowlings, airscrews and undercarriage with the Frog wings, tailbooms, tail surfaces, and wheel doors, finishing the model with Airfix decals.

While on the subject of decals, Airfix provides two sets, one including the serial number 42-5558 which was a P-61A-5 and which, if used, should not be accompanied by the dorsal barbette, The other decals, for "Lady in the Dark", include the serial number 42-39773 which was allocated to the 16th Vega-built B-17G-1 Fortress! The Frog decals are for a P-61A-10 "Double Trouble" serial number 42-5565 which was not, of course, fitted with the barbette, while accompanying the larger Aurora kit is the serial number 42-39728 which was one of the last of the batch of P-61B-15s, yet the nose is definitely that of a P-61A. Again, for some inexplicable reason, the Aurora decals omit the blue surround of the insignia.

The 1/48th scale Aurora kit is now 11 years of age, and is understandably, therefore, somewhat less sophisticated. Nevertheless it is generally accurate apart from the tailbooms which are about three-quarters of an inch too long, and the vertical surfaces and engine cowlings which are inaccurate in contour. Fortunately, the thickness of the plastic from which the Aurora "Widow" is manufactured enables these faults to be corrected without undue difficulty by simply cutting and filing. As with most Aurora kits, surface detail is sparse, but the beautifully clear transparencies reveal detailed cockpits, and, as usual with kits from this manufacturer, the component parts fit with precision.
W R MATTHEWS

Air Enthusiast 1971-06 vol.01 no.01

NEW KITS FOR 1973
BRIGHTON AND NUREMBURG TOY FAIRS REVIEWED

MOST enthusiastic modellers like to speculate what the kit manufacturers will add to their ranges at the start of a new year and the trade fairs in January and February confirm what is to come in the following 12 months or so. The British firms showed their wares at the Brighton Toy Fair from 27 to 31 January and we can report that, although it may be unwise to anticipate trends, it is obvious that the larger scale kits will successfully lure away some of those whose loyalty has hitherto been to smaller models.

Frog continue to add interesting aircraft to their various ranges. Not all the 1973 kits will be new to old modelling hands; ...Frog are making the 1:72 scale B-26, B-25 and P-61 available again.

Aviation News Vol 1 Num 21 2-15 March 1973

FROG model aircraft 1932-1976, R. Lines, L. Hellstrom

AIRFIX.
Northrop P-61 Black Widow.
1/72nd scale. Price 7/- (UK).

The P-61 is by nature a 'plain' aeroplane, but the number of superbly detailed components included in this kit enables a most detailed and accurate model of it to be built from this kit. Panel and rivet detail is on the heavy side, but this is more than compensated for by the really excellent moulding of the smaller parts such as the undercarriage oleo legs, and cockpit interior. In addition, the engines are possibly the finest we have seen to this scale. Although the vast quantity of parts is rather overwhelming at first sight, the instruction sheet is clear, and it is in fact a very simple kit to assemble. It should be noted that considerable weight will need to be added to the nose to obtain a correct stance if the model is to stand on its undercarriage. The model may be finished either as a turretless P-61 or the P-61B with turret as featured on the box art. The decals are adequate, but have a high gloss and the varnish backing is far too thick. Insignia are included for the P-61B of Lts. Clyde and Luford of the 548th N.F. Squadron which destroyed the last enemy aircraft to fall prior to VJ. Day in the Pacific, and a different serial for a P-61A is also included.

The IPMS magazine, Vol.4 No.2, FEBRUARY 1967