Revell P-61 Black Widow
![Album image #1 Album image #1](/albums/img/2/7/3/379273-32828-96-720.jpg)
The plastic in this Revell kit is clearly of inferior quality to Tamiya, with several pieces already broken off and lying loose in the box and there is excess flashing on many parts.
![Album image #2 Album image #2](/albums/img/2/7/4/379274-32828-62-720.jpg)
Not a lot of detail here, and the raised parts are not very high making it difficult to paint tiny details. I'll have to go back and clean this paint job up some more.
![Album image #3 Album image #3](/albums/img/2/7/5/379275-32828-79-720.jpg)
I had to shave a lot of edges off these parts. I haven't given up hope though that this kit will still turn out well once finished.
![Album image #4 Album image #4](/albums/img/4/5/0/381450-32828-77-720.jpg)
The flight deck has a definite twist to it. Next time I plan on buying a Revell kit, somebody stop me.
![Album image #5 Album image #5](/albums/img/4/5/1/381451-32828-58-720.jpg)
It feels like every part that is brush-painted needs at least two coats. This plastic isn't very thirsty, and it doesn't adhere well.
![Album image #6 Album image #6](/albums/img/4/5/2/381452-32828-82-720.jpg)
I fought and repainted this instrument panel a couple of times before resigning myself to the slight level of detail I was able to enhance. The instruments just aren't raised very well.
![Album image #7 Album image #7](/albums/img/6/9/3/383693-32828-33-720.jpg)
Used flash this time to get a better picture than some of my recent have been. Not sure I like how dark they look, but they are definitely sharper.
![Album image #8 Album image #8](/albums/img/9/1/9/384919-32828-82-720.jpg)
I like the range of motion on this turret. And semi-gloss black looks even better in spray than it does brushed on.
![Album image #9 Album image #9](/albums/img/9/2/0/384920-32828-87-720.jpg)
Given that it's a Revell kit, the two halves went together better than expected. Still left some ugly seam lines to clean up though.
![Album image #10 Album image #10](/albums/img/3/4/5/385345-32828-94-720.jpg)
Tiny details and even tinier decals on the radar assembly that will just be covered up as soon as the nose goes on. <sigh>
![Album image #11 Album image #11](/albums/img/2/9/4/386294-32828-37-720.jpg)
Last time you're ever going to see this. Say good-bye.
![Album image #12 Album image #12](/albums/img/2/9/5/386295-32828-81-720.jpg)
And just like that, it's hidden from view. At least I will know it's there.
![Album image #13 Album image #13](/albums/img/2/9/6/386296-32828-29-720.jpg)
Wings were a bit finicky to put together at first, but I think that mounting the flaps up made for an easier assembly.
![Album image #14 Album image #14](/albums/img/2/9/7/386297-32828-27-720.jpg)
The wingspan on this beast is pretty significant. Despite its flaws, this kit is starting to grow on me.
![Album image #15 Album image #15](/albums/img/5/7/2/386572-32828-86-720.jpg)
Drop tanks are a little flimsy, but the decals are nice and sharp.
![Album image #16 Album image #16](/albums/img/5/7/3/386573-32828-81-720.jpg)
Should have taken a closer look at the drop tanks before cutting out the holes as indicated by the instructions. Holes are much too big. A little putty should fix that though.
![Album image #17 Album image #17](/albums/img/5/7/4/386574-32828-23-720.jpg)
I like how the instructions assume that I know all the parts of an airplane engine when they give painting directions. Found some reference images that made it easier, though the detail simply wasn't very sharp to start with.
![Album image #18 Album image #18](/albums/img/5/7/5/386575-32828-86-720.jpg)
The cowl doesn't sit very well. I'll have to make some adjustments to get it to sit properly.
![Album image #19 Album image #19](/albums/img/1/8/1/388181-32828-38-720.jpg)
The landing gear struts are light enough that this was the best way to let the cement dry so the tires wouldn't touch the supports. Still need to do a bit of sanding on those tires to fix a bad fit between halves.
![Album image #20 Album image #20](/albums/img/6/9/1/388691-32828-43-720.jpg)
These actually fit together fairly well compared with other parts of the kit. I'm not sure if I'm growing to like it.
![Album image #21 Album image #21](/albums/img/6/9/2/388692-32828-62-720.jpg)
Well, there are a fair number of gaps that may need some putty. I don't know if I care enough about it to fill them in. I know that's a bad attitude but the poor engineering is driving me nuts.
![Album image #22 Album image #22](/albums/img/6/9/3/388693-32828-86-720.jpg)
It looks good from this angle though. You can't really see the seams.
![Album image #23 Album image #23](/albums/img/4/4/1/391441-32828-32-720.jpg)
Getting close to the end, with the nose landing gear assembled. Actually happy at how the paint turned out on this section. But the joy would be short-lived.
![Album image #24 Album image #24](/albums/img/4/4/2/391442-32828-64-720.jpg)
The landing gear has been mounted, with the aid of poor instructions. I wouldn't realize it at the time, but it's actually mounted incorrectly here.
![Album image #25 Album image #25](/albums/img/4/4/3/391443-32828-85-720.jpg)
It was once I tried to mount the nose gear doors that I realized the gear was incorrect. Due to the poor fit of the fuselage, I had to pry the sides apart in order to fit this assembly recessed where it should be.
![Album image #26 Album image #26](/albums/img/4/4/4/391444-32828-43-720.jpg)
The poor instructions also left certain steps a little later than recommended - such as painting parts that are no longer easy to access. I also had to mount the cannon door closed because the drop tanks get in the way. And those seams... ugh!
![Album image #27 Album image #27](/albums/img/5/7/9/392579-32828-56-720.jpg)
I really gummed up the canopies with my masking and spraying. Tried to remove as best I could and did better by hand.
![Album image #28 Album image #28](/albums/img/5/8/0/392580-32828-91-720.jpg)
Getting the side glass to fit took a lot of finagling and shaving of edges. Doubt I'll build another Revell any time soon.
![Album image #29 Album image #29](/albums/img/8/5/5/393855-32828-35-720.jpg)
Now complete, it looks much better with the decals - especially if you don't see all those nasty seams on the underside.
![Album image #30 Album image #30](/albums/img/8/5/6/393856-32828-82-720.jpg)
That's one thing I will say for Revell is that their decals were nice to work with. They soften nicely under the Micro Sol as well.
![Album image #31 Album image #31](/albums/img/8/5/7/393857-32828-17-720.jpg)
Happily seeing this project in the rear view mirror. Now back to some quality Tamiya engineering for my next project.
Komentáře
11 September 2017, 00:46
![](/profiles/img/32828-151-s.jpg)
Thanks, Clifford. It's not the best kit I've worked with but I'm doing what I can with it.
27 September 2017, 01:11
![](/profiles/img/13695-917-s.jpg)
I have one also. It does require a little extra effort, but builds up to a nice model. The other offerings are way out of my price range. LOL.
27 September 2017, 15:00
![](/profiles/img/32828-151-s.jpg)
I have half a mind to go all Soul Plane on this thing and just paint the whole thing purple. Must exercise patience.
8 October 2017, 21:50
![](/profiles/img/32828-151-s.jpg)
Thanks guys. I still think it makes an interesting addition to my collection, as long as I look at it from a distance. 🙂
22 October 2017, 18:39
Album info
Scored this kit for $17, the first Revell I've done since I was a kid. We'll see how it compares with the Tamiya kits I've been building in my adult years.