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Post by wbill76 on Jul 1, 2016 11:52:54 GMT -5
My next project is going to be a very special one for several reasons. When I spoke with my Dad on Father's Day, he asked if I could do something special for him on my next project and his request came as a bit of a surprise, he's never asked me to build anything for him before. Like many, I got my start building aircraft at the kitchen table on the weekends with my Dad, so for him to ask meant a lot. His choice of subject was also interesting, he wanted a P-61B Black Widow, specifically to honor my grandmother on my mom's side who had passed away some years ago. As a young woman, she had worked in the Northrop assembly plant during the war and I remember her telling stories about working inside the tail booms since she was the only one small enough to fit in there. So this build will be both for my Dad and my Grandma Heckenlively. I'm using the GWH kit along with some Eduard goodies given all the interior that will be visible throughout.  |
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Post by Tojo72 on Jul 1, 2016 12:10:28 GMT -5
That gonna be real nice,Bill.You will do it justice.
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Post by wbill76 on Jul 1, 2016 12:21:11 GMT -5
That gonna be real nice,Bill.Tou will do it justice. My Dad made a point of saying he wanted 'my best'...so no pressure right?  |
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Post by JimD on Jul 1, 2016 19:38:49 GMT -5
Oh my. I'm told this is a nice kit. I look forward to seeing what you do with her. It will be a great tribute for sure.
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Post by wbill76 on Jul 1, 2016 19:45:09 GMT -5
Oh my. I'm told this is a nice kit. I look forward to seeing what you do with her. It will be a great tribute for sure. Thanks Jimmy! All the reviews indicated that it is a good one, I remember building the Monogram offering as a kid (and my LHS happened to have one for $25 ironically enough) and this one apparently leaves it in the dust in every way imaginable. |
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Post by Leon on Jul 1, 2016 21:05:24 GMT -5
No pressure at all Bill!  I believe Your going to give it your best and a little TLC. |
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Post by wbill76 on Jul 1, 2016 21:20:45 GMT -5
No pressure at all Bill! I believe Your going to give it your best and a little TLC. Thanks for the vote of confidence Leon! The kit is a beauty after pawing through the sprues in the box. Timing couldn't be better for its arrival either.  |
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Post by panzerjager2 on Jul 1, 2016 21:44:03 GMT -5
P-61 Black widow VERY VERY COOL
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sturmbird
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Member since: June 2012
Posts: 1,406
Jun 21, 2012 13:51:45 GMT -5
Jun 21, 2012 13:51:45 GMT -5
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Post by sturmbird on Jul 2, 2016 15:32:36 GMT -5
Oh my. I'm told this is a nice kit. I look forward to seeing what you do with her. It will be a great tribute for sure. The very first issue from GWH had some issues, and was nit picked to death by folks that never build anything anyway. GWH took these issues to task, and did a tooling revision. The box will have a "revised tooling" note on it. I have one of the revised kits, and from what I gather; it's outstanding. The P61b shown here is the first I've ever seen, and will buy one. A way to easily tell if the kit is the early one, is with the engine cowls. The early kits have too small of a diameter cowl if memory serves me right. I think there was also an issue with the turret, but could be wrong here. Just a note here: there are some seriously outstanding decals out now for the P61. gary |
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sturmbird
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Member since: June 2012
Posts: 1,406
Jun 21, 2012 13:51:45 GMT -5
Jun 21, 2012 13:51:45 GMT -5
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Post by sturmbird on Jul 2, 2016 15:35:46 GMT -5
Oh my. I'm told this is a nice kit. I look forward to seeing what you do with her. It will be a great tribute for sure. Thanks Jimmy! All the reviews indicated that it is a good one, I remember building the Monogram offering as a kid (and my LHS happened to have one for $25 ironically enough) and this one apparently leaves it in the dust in every way imaginable. And I thought I stole mine in a 50% off sale after Christmas!! $25!! That ought to be a felony! gary |
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Post by wbill76 on Jul 2, 2016 15:51:29 GMT -5
The dimensions issues were in the P-61A kits and are fixed in the B and C kits. This particular one is their premium issue that includes some extra PE and a white metal counterweight for the nose. I ordered it from Lucky Model and was pleasantly surprised at how fast it shipped and arrived. They've improved their service or I got lucky or both perhaps! |
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Post by wing_nut on Jul 2, 2016 20:08:06 GMT -5
No pressure at all Bill! Horse carp. LOTS OF PRESSURE.  You and I traded some thoughts about this before. A gozillion to one shot your grandmother worked on the same bird my father-in-law stood in front of.  Not that you could but don't "F" this up! We miss you Ted. |
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Post by wbill76 on Jul 2, 2016 20:18:01 GMT -5
You never know Marc! Cool photo. Talked with my dad today about the options in the kit and he wants it clean without panels open and cockpit closed but gear down. Markings will be Lady in the Dark, fitting choice I think!
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Post by mustang1989 on Jul 3, 2016 7:57:06 GMT -5
This outta be fun to watch.
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Post by wing_nut on Jul 3, 2016 8:00:00 GMT -5
Can't wait to see it take shape.
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Post by armorguy on Jul 3, 2016 8:31:14 GMT -5
From the seas back in the air, that's our Bill ! O how I'm going to enjoy this build my friend !
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Post by wbill76 on Jul 3, 2016 9:31:01 GMT -5
Glad to have you along Joe and AG! |
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bbrowniii
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Member since: March 2012
If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the precipitate.
Posts: 1,238
Mar 25, 2012 22:08:04 GMT -5
Mar 25, 2012 22:08:04 GMT -5
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Post by bbrowniii on Jul 3, 2016 10:55:57 GMT -5
Exciting build subject Bill.
I love the family connection - including Wing_nut's side of the story. Would be serendipity for sure if Grandma worked on that plane.
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Post by dierk on Jul 3, 2016 12:02:48 GMT -5
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Post by wbill76 on Jul 3, 2016 16:19:10 GMT -5
Boyd, it's a small enough world, I wish there was some way to know for certain but that doesn't make it any less probable! Especially since the one in Marc's photo is an early-production model. Dierk, that just means you get to operate the SkyCam!
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thug626
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Member since: January 2013
Posts: 2,030
Jan 15, 2013 13:05:28 GMT -5
Jan 15, 2013 13:05:28 GMT -5
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Post by thug626 on Jul 4, 2016 0:23:53 GMT -5
Good evening Bill. That is a great story to drive this build. Count me in good man.
Dave
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martslay
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Member since: February 2016
Posts: 1,113 
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Post by martslay on Jul 4, 2016 4:08:33 GMT -5
I will attentively look. At me such model lies on the shelf, waits for the time.Good luck!  |
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Post by wbill76 on Jul 5, 2016 9:55:23 GMT -5
Thanks Dave ! Martin, at first glance at the sprues it looks very nice. Will keep you posted as it progresses! |
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Post by deafpanzer on Jul 5, 2016 10:09:57 GMT -5
Always liked this fighter! it was bigger than I expected when I saw the real thing at USAF National museum in Dayton. You have to visit this museum and I'd even meet you there!
Good luck!
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Rick
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Member since: March 2013
what to build, what to build . . . Ok THAT one!
Posts: 854
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Post by Rick on Jul 5, 2016 11:37:43 GMT -5
I'll take my seat in the nosebleed section for this Bill. No doubt, you'll do Justice on this one.
Rick
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Post by wing_nut on Jul 5, 2016 13:24:36 GMT -5
Always liked this fighter! it was bigger than I expected when I saw the real thing at USAF National museum in Dayton. You have to visit this museum and I'd even meet you there! Good luck! Bill, you must take Andy up on that offer. Meeting him is a unique experience not soon forgotten. Trust me, I've been trying The Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in Reading, PA is in the process of restoring a Black Widow. The back story and progress shots are on their site. I didn't make it to the show this year but I'm told there is a lot more progress than what's shown. Andy, I'll meet you there for the 1st flight. |
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Post by wbill76 on Jul 5, 2016 13:31:18 GMT -5
Andy, she's a big girl, no doubt! Those engines are the same ones (basically) that are used on the Corsair, so plenty of power with two of them! Will definitely take you up on that offer if I'm ever up in your neck of the woods. Rick, still plenty of seating available, pull up a chair! Marc, I can imagine that your life has been forever changed, Andy has that effect on people.
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Post by dierk on Jul 6, 2016 0:44:49 GMT -5
this is all very interesting, but how about you get on with some actual building?  |
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Post by wbill76 on Jul 7, 2016 20:22:32 GMT -5
this is all very interesting, but how about you get on with some actual building? Will try to get something up soon Dierk...I've been working on another 'insanity' project as a commission effort, the 1/700 USS West Virginia, and the Black Widow will be my escape valve for when all those tiny parts start to get overwhelming. Like this...  |
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Post by Leon on Jul 7, 2016 20:28:06 GMT -5
Looks like the optivisors are going to get a work out! |
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