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Lerxst
Andy Ball (Lerxst)
GB

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Kommentarer

85 5 August 2020, 11:52
Alec K
I'll take a seat for this 👍
5 August 2020, 12:31
Andy Ball
Welcome, Alec!
5 August 2020, 12:32
Alec K
It's shaping up nicely. I recall having to put quite a bit of weight in the nose when I built my Dragon kit.
6 August 2020, 02:00
Andy Ball
I've got all my 0.177 pellets squashed up...now gotta add them into every suitable opening I can find. Quite how one does it with a B-26 Marauder, I don't know!
7 August 2020, 09:53
Slavo Hazucha
Make a fire-proof mold sized roughly like the nose cavity, melt & pour...😉
7 August 2020, 15:39
Starbase101
Maybe do that for the front wheel as well (for added forward weight if the nose is too small)?
7 August 2020, 15:41
Andy Ball
@Slavo- "what could possibly go wrong"? ????.... although I think there are enough nooks and crannies to wedge those slugs into!
7 August 2020, 16:56
Andy Ball
Thanks Starbase101: I'll certainly migrate any excess to areas as far forward as possible...,Newtonian mechanics and all that!....
7 August 2020, 16:57
Cuajete
Looking good so far. Following!
7 August 2020, 18:51
Spanjaard
Looking pretty interesting indeed
7 August 2020, 18:55
Andy Ball
Thanks Cuajete and Spanjaard: I'll try and keep the momentum and provide a result of sorts!
7 August 2020, 20:59
Guy Rump
Looking impressive Andy 🙂 will follow with interest.
8 August 2020, 08:25
Gary Kitchen
Hi Andy. Taking a seat if I may. Loved your Hurricane build and this looks equally impressive!
8 August 2020, 08:57
Thomas Bischoff
Good work and nice progress!
9 August 2020, 04:28
Andy Ball
Thanks Guy, always welcome here!
9 August 2020, 20:57
Andy Ball
@Gary: nice that you popped by on the Hurricane, thanks for watching again: I hope to catch up with some of your work too!!
9 August 2020, 20:59
Andy Ball
Cheers Thomas! Thanks for the comments!!
9 August 2020, 21:00
Guy Rump
Looking good Andy, really like the detailing. 🙂
9 August 2020, 21:00
Łukasz Gliński
Watching, nice pics, Mr A
10 August 2020, 09:06
Juergen Klinglhuber
Nice progress on this one,...👍
10 August 2020, 10:23
Andy Ball
Cheers Łukasz!, hello!!, yes it's an interesting build this one from an engineering viewpoint. Maybe one of the quickest if the parts continue to be reasonably trouble-free.
10 August 2020, 22:09
Andy Ball
Thanks Juergen and welcome too!
10 August 2020, 22:10
Carlos Martin
Nice progress, and very helpful comments.
10 August 2020, 23:19
Starbase101
Funny that you mention X-Wing fighter in pic 20 - that's what I thought at first glance from pic 1 and was thinking you'd be dressing up an X-Wing cockpit with Eduard photoetch, until I saw "Sleepy Time Gal" and thought maybe you were doing a Black Widow version of an X-Wing, until my eyes finally focused and I realized "Cool! Another P-61 build!" I guess all you need now is an R2-D2 dome in place of the top turret, which will then also resolve the gun barrels issue. (And some wide red striping!) 🙂
10 August 2020, 23:27
Andy Ball
@Carlos: thanks, I hope that this is in spirit of the SCM fraternity...share builds and tips along the way!!
12 August 2020, 15:58
Andy Ball
@Starbase101: I'm guessing Messrs. Lucas and Spielberg would heartily endorse your product idea!!
12 August 2020, 15:59
Andy Ball
a nudge on from last night and earlier today, sub-assemblies....hoping to get to main spray of kit tomorrow
14 August 2020, 12:49
Gary Kitchen
Hi Andy. Looks like it's going great. The Cu wore in the wheel assemblies, are you leaving to Cu or painting them. I can't quite tell from the photos (my eyes not your photos). Also what diameter are you using for 1:72?
15 August 2020, 15:26
Slavo Hazucha
Looking all cool here - Very nice interior and the degree of dirt&grime makes sense & I like the main wheel rims too - nice parts & solid treatment 👍
15 August 2020, 15:57
Cuajete
I agree with the colleagues. Also I couldn't help but look how well masked the wheels are. Practically perfect. How did you do it? It's hard for me to make them look good after masking and also make them look perfect after painting.
15 August 2020, 17:07
Andy Ball
@Gary: I painted the copper wires black-brown around the sections of the oleos, and up from them black/silver - from the walk-around photos. The diameter?....I took the wires out of a normal UK 'live'(brown plastic coated) sleeve...I couldn't tell you other than they look to scale to me!
16 August 2020, 09:47
Andy Ball
@Slavo: a little of your advice was incorporated here....pleased with the effects in this scale: but I guess I know the difference 48 would bring to a level-up of realism....and your comments motivate me to do more!...
16 August 2020, 09:48
Slavo Hazucha
You go 48-scale & a new world of detail opens up...😉
16 August 2020, 09:50
Andy Ball
@Cuajete: guess what?: it's merely Eduard's wheel masks applied over a shot of Tamiya flat aluminium...I too thought I'd get a bleed around the rims...but no, they seemed the perfect fit. I then weathered and used a cotton bud to wipe around the rims, thus giving the highlights in metallic. Hope that explains, and thanks for the comments too!!
16 August 2020, 09:51
Andy Ball
@Slavo: I know I know.....just my inherent conservatism on these scale things...I have a 48 Tamiya Spit Vb in the stash and I'm going to give it a whirl someday soon!
16 August 2020, 09:54
Andy Ball
Well: all black (Tamiya X-1 to use it up), decals really thin and well registered....however one big Hobby Boss mistake- and crucial for this subject.....THE GAL....she's transparent against the black. They bloody forgot to add white backing to the decal- and none even provided. So Lady Luck has disappeared against the X-1. I may have to source some new decals....
17 August 2020, 20:18
Spanjaard
lady has no luck....
sorry for the bad joke.... that is really a stupid mistake from the manufacturer....
17 August 2020, 20:29
Andy Ball
@Spanjaard: indeed...I think there are some ragged edges to Hobby Boss's offering, perhaps they ran out of money in their development of the kit at the concept stage....
17 August 2020, 22:02
Slavo Hazucha
HB really seems to have two faces... The two kits I built (Su-34, F-111) were really good, including the decals, nothing to complain about - excellent coverage, reasonably thin, easy-setting (with Tamiya setter strong...) Got another Flanker in stash, looks fine too... But I've heard stories, particularly bout the 72-scale range, being somewhat lacking at times... But lacking a key color on the decals seems somewhat steep... 🙂 Hope you get a suitable replacement...
17 August 2020, 22:19
Juergen Klinglhuber
What a pity! I hope you are able to get hold of new/better decals soon....
18 August 2020, 07:07
Łukasz Gliński
Hm, you can switch to a different noseart 😉
britmodeller.com/for..awica-ii-dragon-172/
But more seriously: etsy.com/es/listing/..172-scale-northrup-p
18 August 2020, 07:27
Andy Ball
I feel quite cross about this - and am going to see about sending a (modified) replacement. I hope the Chinese parent company sees this in the spirit of improvement.....so have emailed Hobby Boss and let's see what their customer service is like!
18 August 2020, 08:48
Starbase101
I can totally understand (and agree with) wanting the manufacturer to make right with something they obviously goofed on. Have you checked online reviews and other people's builds of this kit to see whether it might be a widespread issue (all releases of the kit) or if your's is just a glitch affecting only a smaller print run of the decals? It could be that not all the HB decals have this issue. (See, that's why you should have put a slave-girl Leia for the nose art! j/k) After-market decals are often better quality and more complete than those provided with a kit, especially those made by companies doing one and only one thing - printing decals. Hopefully you're able to get a proper replacement from HB.
18 August 2020, 12:48
Carlos Martin
Andy, no surprise you are cross and good for you if you complain. We should complain more. I recently was amazed at how a clear mistake in the airfix me262 was not even acknowledged in the webpage or in the instructions. I can't imagine any other hobby where a faulty product is sold without even a warning. Anyway, I hope everything is sorted soon.
18 August 2020, 14:38
Andy Ball
Well, I've tossed the email over to their customer services, let's use this as a test to see how they respond. It's often cases like this that make you an advocate of brands when you're treated fairly when they've let you down. I'm also not sure why they depict her on both sides, along with the nickname?...but nowhere does it state to add one on top of the other to overcome the transparency, say.
@Juergen: watch this space....?
@Starbase, totally agree with a/markets...used a few of them before and all were great: Princess Leia...now there's an idea!
@Łukasz: thanks for the link, the decal sheets do have many stencils...therefore I conclude the HB is a little basic in this detail area too, (along with aspects of the construction and representation of the P-61's underwing ordinance options).
@Carlos: I think they're aiming at 'shake and bake' modellers, who'd like the 'toy-like' approach of builds, but I must state the kit goes well together and has pretty good details. I can't compare to Dragon/Bilek, but *perhaps* it's the best in '72nd?...
18 August 2020, 17:05
Cuajete
Andy, sorry to read this unpleasant incident. Hope you get lucky with Hobby Boss customer and spare parts service. Rest of kit looks great!
18 August 2020, 19:28
Mathijs Beenhakker
Maybe you got an early run of different markings!? in a review of this kit i dont see any pinup girl and in another i see the pinup as separate decals...And even the actual plane had many versions...both with and without the Pinup girl
19 August 2020, 12:06
Guy Rump
Looking good Andy, even with the decal irritation. I have built one Hobbyboss kit before and although as you state, "toy like" approach, it did go together well, the only criticism was the basic cockpit. I do like your P-61, food for thought at this end... 🙂
19 August 2020, 16:38
Andy Ball
@Cuajete: I'm not holding out for HB, (no reply as yet), but life goes on...., the project will complete.
21 August 2020, 22:47
Andy Ball
@Mathijs: thank-you for your research, Sir. Maybe mine will have to be "pinup-less"?
21 August 2020, 22:49
Andy Ball
@Guy: I guess it's maybe best P-61B in this scale?...(loved your Beau BTW- have you ordered Airfix's Beaufort?...)
21 August 2020, 22:50
Guy Rump
Thanks for the recommendation Andy, one for my wishlist as I haven't obtained a P-61 as yet. And yes, the Beaufort is on pre-order and eagerly anticipated! 🙂
22 August 2020, 08:35
Mathijs Beenhakker
@Andy Ball and Guy Rump....Think there's a clarification necessary for the so called "Toy Like" approach...the "Easy-Assembly" kit range of Hobby Boss (it says so on the box) is meant for people (kids) new to this wonderful hobby so they wont get discouraged putting their kit together, while there's the normal range kits which is not "Toy like" at all and are up there with the top kits by Hasegawa or Tamiya
22 August 2020, 09:56
Guy Rump
Thanks for the info Mathijs Beenhakker 🙂
22 August 2020, 10:01
Mathijs Beenhakker
@guy Rump
you're most welcome
22 August 2020, 10:05
Slavo Hazucha
I think I mentioned it already, but the HB 48-scale Flanker range and somewhat older F-111 are really good kits. I also liked the plastic (nice position between too brittle/too soft) and the decals I had were good, reasonably thin and aligned without protest into lines & rivets with a simple Tamiya Markfit strong treatment...
22 August 2020, 11:30
Stephan H.
Thanks Andy for the detailed report. If have the same kit in stash and its great to have an idea what things I have to take extra care of. 👍
23 August 2020, 14:36
Andy Ball
@Slavo: I think (gal-aside), this is a superb kit. You're right the plastic's just the right density, in most areas it almost slots together albeit with their locating lugs it's unforgiving if you're dry fitting, as it almost commits you to joining the pieces. The decals are very easy and thin and have conformed to contours. So I guess their 48th philosophy is reflected in their 72nd works too.
23 August 2020, 19:12
Andy Ball
@Stephan H: anytime you start, send me a message and I'll help out with any additional questions. Build it, you won't be disappointed! Thanks for looking in!...
23 August 2020, 19:14
Andy Ball
So, tonight, I declare her done!!
23 August 2020, 19:14
Gary Kitchen
Hi Andy. It looks fabulous. The panel lines and weathering on the all black paint job look amazing. 👍
23 August 2020, 20:10
Carlos Martin
She looks great!!! I love the chipping along the panel lines.
23 August 2020, 20:11
Andy Ball
@ Gary: many thanks Sir, makes all then difference to the practicing modeller!
23 August 2020, 20:43
Andy Ball
Cheers Carlos!! The weathering on these planes is notoriously difficult to do well...I hope it's reasonable to scale!?
23 August 2020, 20:45
Juergen Klinglhuber
It came out Beautyfull !! well done - great work 👍
24 August 2020, 05:37
Slavo Hazucha
Looks really cool even with the "lo-vis" Gal at the nose!😉

I also agree with Carlos that the chipping is very nicely done & to me seems just right 👍
24 August 2020, 05:48
Andy Ball
Cheers@Slavo: as always, your comments are a real tonic!
24 August 2020, 07:06
Thomas Bischoff
Great work - I really like it.
Are you using Vallejo Black? Looking at Picture 42 the spray pattern may suggest that it was probably not thinned enough.
24 August 2020, 20:23
Andy Ball
@Thomas: I used Vallejo black primer, but thinned Tamiya X-1 quite a lot, and whether that's affected the effect?, I also used Mr Color clear to seal everything- I guess I've still got some consistency to look at, and thank you for the observation!
24 August 2020, 20:50
Thomas Bischoff
X-1 is a gloss coat - the slightly freckled look is in your case maybe even better than a perfectly polished high sheen finish 🙂
24 August 2020, 21:01
Alec K
Very nicely done Andy 👍
25 August 2020, 02:45
Andy Ball
@Thomas: yeh, the X-1 was intended to be a 'sheen' coat, and some of the freckles are the matt aluminium distressings applied.
25 August 2020, 12:37
Andy Ball
@Alec and @Roland: appreciative of your comments, I think I've leaned quite a bit on this build.
25 August 2020, 12:38
Spanjaard
very nice job. pitty about the gal...
25 August 2020, 14:22
Gary Dahlström
One of my favorite all-time aircraft; nicely done.
25 August 2020, 16:06
Andy Ball
@Spanjaard...same old tale...the girl disappears into the dark!.....thanks for the comment
25 August 2020, 16:40
Andy Ball
@Gary - thanks: I hope I haven't diminished your attraction for the 'Widow!
25 August 2020, 16:42
Cuajete
The girl disappears into the dark, but night looks very good! Nice weathering, Andy. Congrats!
29 August 2020, 19:43
Andy Ball
@Cuajete: sadly, these ladies of the night all disappear into the shadowy world of the model-maker's imagination! Many thanks for the observations!!
3 September 2020, 21:39
Andy Ball
Thanks Bernd for coming and taking a look!
15 January 2023, 20:51
Andy Ball
Thanks Zhivko, as ever, for your interest
16 January 2023, 07:38
Andy Ball
Thanks Petar for checking in!
16 January 2023, 13:28
Andy Ball
Thanks Haluk! It's a great kit if you're thinking of it?…
16 January 2023, 14:30
Andy Ball
Thanks Pietro!
16 January 2023, 18:47
Andy Ball
Cuajete…many thanks, mate!
16 January 2023, 20:47
Andy Ball
Jean-Louis, Merci beaucoup!
16 January 2023, 20:49
Andy Ball
Thanks Agustin!
16 January 2023, 21:25
Andy Ball
Cheers Guy!
16 January 2023, 21:39
Andy Ball
Thanks airjuneau for taking a look!
17 January 2023, 07:33
Andy Ball
Thanks, as ever, Alberto!
17 January 2023, 16:53
Andy Ball
Good to hear from you Tony, thx
18 January 2023, 17:18
Mirko Römer
Music to the eyes! 🙂
18 January 2023, 19:01
Andy Ball
Thank-you Carlos!
@Mirko: If music be the food of model making….eat up!
18 January 2023, 20:39
Andy Ball
Thanks André!
18 January 2023, 22:04
Shar Dipree
Nice. I'm still missing a P-61 in my collection.
27 February 2023, 17:23
Andy Ball
Well Shar, I'd say this is the best of its kind in 72nd, and you'd know doubt add plenty of detail to it!
27 February 2023, 17:42
Andy Ball
Thanks Vincent!
28 February 2023, 13:58
Andy Ball
Thanks Simon!
28 February 2023, 20:25
Andy Ball
And again, Gustavo- many thanks
28 February 2023, 22:37
Andy Ball
Thanks David!
1 March 2023, 08:07
Andy Ball
Thank-you Finn, it's one from a few summers ago...
1 March 2023, 10:33
George Williams
Back to black - Amy Winehouse tribute? Sorry to hear of your decal problems, good luck with Hobby Boss service, but please understand "customer service" doesn't translate into Mandarin Chinese, they don't understand what it means. Great build by the way.
1 March 2023, 12:58
Andy Ball
@George: yes it was one of two tracks - the other AC/DC 'in' black. I'll leave the gal where she is- she's a nightly apparition! I've also found Hobby 2000's customer service lacks punctuality as my B-26 has 2 misshapen prop blades. Otherwise it's a scratch build modification! Thanks for the comment!!
@Neil: thanks again- and hope all's well!
1 March 2023, 14:22
Andy Ball
Cheers Darth!, appreciate your visit.
13 March 2023, 09:16
Andy Ball
thanks Javier M!
20 January, 13:51
Andy Ball
Thanks Marius, Petr and the 'mates community' for taking an interest in this older build
25 January, 20:58
Andy Ball
And Noël and the ever-productive Robert too!
27 January, 08:09
Andy Ball
Rutger, and others, again thanks for the view and like
29 January, 21:32
Andy Ball
Thanks Alberto. Glad you popped in
5 February, 15:03
Andy Ball
James C- always a pleasure to have your endorsement!
5 February, 19:58
Neil
Very nice work. I've just started on the venerable 1/48 Revell version myself. Your rendition looks great. I've also just finished my first ever Hobbyboss too and found it to be a 'tidy' kit to build 👍
20 February, 21:28
Andy Ball
That'll be a real sweet kit in 48th, I pop over and take a look….
This one actually fell off my model shelf hit a concrete floor and largely stayed together bar an undercarriage leg and the 303s - so they're robust too!!
Thanks for sharing your comment too, Neil!
21 February, 08:05
Duster_d
Wow! It looks cool and deadly! 👍
21 February, 08:16
Edward MacKenzie
Congrats mate! Wow, this Black Widow is looking amazing!
21 February, 22:05
Mr James
Nice work Andy. Hard to weather a black surface but you've managed it well
25 February, 23:49
Andy Ball
@Duster_d @Edward and @Mr James: thanks for the comments...the photos are a little over exposed to show it off...I think it's probably the best in 72nd, but am not sure on the quality of the decals though- especially the mascot/girl...but you takes your choice as they say....
27 March, 12:30

Album info

P-61B

53 bilder
1:72
Fullført
1:72 US P-61B Black Widow (HobbyBoss 87262)1:72 P-61B (Eduard CX519)1:72 P-61A Black Widow - Gun Barrels (Quickboost QB 72 082)1+
Northrop P-61B-2-NO Black Widow
US US Army Air Forces (1941-1947)
6 NFS 42-39414 Sleepy Time Gal II
Black
 

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