After finishing my B-17 build, and getting close to the paint point of my Bf-110 I looked at my next project. I was torn between a 1/48 B-25J gun nose, or the 1/48 GWH P-61. Well after seeing Marcus Borges @mvtb, Monogram P-61 I just knew I had to build a P-61.

I broke my own self imposed ban on purchasing new kits when I was a show and was able to get this kit with Quickboost corrected cowls, True Details Propellers and wheel set, Eduard photo etch and masks, and an Aires resin engine for $70 and then of course I purchased Zotz Venomous Widows Part II Decal sheet.

I have built two of the Monogram P-61 kits in long ago when they were still relatively new. I enjoyed the builds, motorizing one of them for spinning props. Along the way I came to appreciate this beast of a plane and it's lethality.

This kit looks to be very nice, with lots of detail, clean molding and comes with its own photo-etch also. I am aware of some of the issues with the kit like the cowls, props and landing gear, but with what I have in the box I think I should be able to put together a decent looking plane, and no one will mistake it for a P-38 I am sure. 🙂

4 attached images. Click to enlarge.

A lot of extras to be added, Walt.
Looking forward to your building progress.

I'm ready to join the fun here - bring it on Walt!

This is a great kit that will surely benefit from all the AM goodies. I know this will be a masterclass build. I will definitely follow this build !

A little drawback, Walt @luftwaffe-birdman
But you clearly managed to give it a great look after all.

A quick update, I have the engines pretty much assembled, just have to lay in the sparkplug wires. I wanted to do the build with the flaps open.

I don't like the look of the open flaps as molded. Looking at them, they look wrong open between the flaps like that.

Typically when the flaps open there is a piece the fills in the void as the flaps open. So doing a quick search for P-61 Cowl Flaps led me to a wonderful page. http://www.maam.org/p61/p61_begin.htm This site is is documenting the decades long restoration to flying condition of a P-61. What an incredible source of detailed pictures and information. Including a picture of the P-61 Cowl Flap Ring...ready for installation.

Very detailed engine, Walt.
Any idea how you are solve those flaps.

Walt B - I can certainly see why you would want to fill those gaps in the cowl flaps. I know Vector makes a corrected cowl and engine set for Monogram which looks perfect. I wonder if it would work for GWH? Or have you moved on with your own corrections? I found some helpful info over at the Kitmaker site.

https://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=viewtopic&topic_id=180255&page=1&ord=1