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gary sausmikat
76 articles

P-61A Moonhappy

May 10, 2021 · in Aviation · · 16 · 2.2K

Hi All,

I finally finished and would like to show my version of the venerable, Revell/Monogram, 1/48, P-61A Black Widow, “Moon Happy”.

First, I'd like to thank my co-worker, Dave, and his son, Evan, for giving me this kit. I hope you like the results guys.

I never built this particular kit growing up but having built many other Monogram kits I knew I was in for a, NOT “shake the box and voila", kind of build. If anything it reminded me of where my hobby started and also how far kit manufacturing has come over the past “ump-teen” (cough, cough) years.

This build was accomplished with:

1/48, Revell/Monogram P-61 Black Widow.
Print Scale, P-61 Black Widow, decals
Fundekals Stars and Bars decals
Lone Star Models, resin cockpit set
Eduard Brassin wheel set
Quickboost gun barrels

The kit had been previously started, but only the cockpit, so I decided to start with the Lone Star resin cockpit set.
Re-scribed all major panel lines using the raised lines as guides and then removed.
Mission Models Paints was used for the Olive Drab and Gray scheme
Weathered using various shades of MIG Oilbrusher oils for shading and highlighting as well as artist oils for dry-brusing.
EZ line was used for the tail radio aerials.

It was a challenging build but now that it's completed I'm glad I took the journey and she will be a nice contrast to my black Lady in the Dark Black Widow.

Thanks for looking and as always, it's just a hobby KEEP IT FUN!

Reader reactions:
12  Awesome

10 additional images. Click to enlarge.


16 responses

  1. Great job on this Gary! I like the "Widow" in the OD/NG scheme better than the black.

  2. Dale's right - this scheme looks better. You definitely turned this old chestnut into a nice model.

  3. Looking great, my friend @gwskat!
    Loved the panel lines scribing technique! Have never thought of it (...copied!).

  4. Very nice, Gary.
    Fully agree that this scheme and the way you applied it looks great.

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    Walt said on May 11, 2021

    Great build of an old gem. I really like the OD over gray, and you got some really nice color and tonal variation. Nice work, I know it doesn't go together easy, but you managed to a really great job on it.

    • Thank you, Walt. I have another on my shelf but it's going to sit there for a long while. They take some work, especially the fit of the clear parts, but given it's age they still come out okay. It may not be perfect but she still looks like a Black Widow.

  6. Well now that challenging build turned out to be an especially good looking model. Like what you've done with her Gary, especially dressed in OD versus the black scheme. I like it.

  7. Nice! the OD does look good!

  8. That is a good-looking Widow! I've also built a black P-61 (Lady in the Dark markings, 1/72) and plan the OD green version for the other 61 in the stash. I like the texture you achieved with the OD scheme - looks nicely worn.

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