Revellogram P-61

[kyledehart5]

From the archives. I was going through my old airplane builds, as I'm now starting on what will, I believe, be my 5th aircraft that I will have built. Figured you guys have seen the others so I'd go ahead and share this old nightmare. I bought this kit during my modeling hiatus thinking I'd get back into it. Opened it, looked at it, test fit some stuff and then put it back in the box. It took a couple more years for me to really jump back in and since this one had been up on the shelf for years, I eventually thought I should get it down and build it. I'm sure we all know its shortcomings but here it is. 

[keavdog]

I admire anyone that finishes that kit. Nice looking bird.

[eaglecash867]

You've definitely got some skill to be able to make that pig of a kit look that good.  I made an attempt years ago at building that one and just couldn't deal with all the flash.  Nice work, Kyle!

[kyledehart5]

Jan 16, 2024 17:03:52 GMT -5 keavdog said:

I admire anyone that finishes that kit. Nice looking bird.

Thank you! Not the most enjoyable thing I’ve ever stuck together. Lol

Jan 16, 2024 17:06:05 GMT -5 eaglecash867 said:

You've definitely got some skill to be able to make that pig of a kit look that good.  I made an attempt years ago at building that one and just couldn't deal with all the flash.  Nice work, Kyle!

Thank you! The flash doesn’t bother me so much, but I bet the glazing is 50% clear plastic and 50% testors clear glue. 😂😂 It was horrible to get closed up 

[tcoat]

LOL my brother-in-law has given me this kit for Christmas the last 4 years in a row. I started the first one but didn't make it far. Now that I see can can come out great I want to break it out and finish but I have a long line up ahead of it.

[project510]

Looks great Kyle! I see this kit a lot. I was even gifted this kit a LONG time ago but I donated it.

[kyledehart5]

Jan 16, 2024 17:26:32 GMT -5 tcoat said:

LOL my brother-in-law has given me this kit for Christmas the last 4 years in a row. I started the first one but didn't make it far. Now that I see can can come out great I want to break it out and finish but I have a long line up ahead of it.

Ha!! Only 4 years in a row? I had a lot of time in cleaning up and making windows, but honestly it was better than I thought it would be based off its reputation. I have fun with old kits like this

Jan 16, 2024 17:29:03 GMT -5 project510 said:

Looks great Kyle! I see this kit a lot. I was even gifted this kit a LONG time ago but I donated it.

lol, donating it is the right move for this one. I have a soft spot for old kits but I bought this before I knew to research kits ahead of time. Still had fun with it and I like how it looks up on the shelf. 

[tcoat]

Jan 16, 2024 18:00:13 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Jan 16, 2024 17:26:32 GMT -5 tcoat said:

LOL my brother-in-law has given me this kit for Christmas the last 4 years in a row. I started the first one but didn't make it far. Now that I see can can come out great I want to break it out and finish but I have a long line up ahead of it.

Ha!! Only 4 years in a row? I had a lot of time in cleaning up and making windows, but honestly it was better than I thought it would be based off its reputation. I have fun with old kits like this

Jan 16, 2024 17:29:03 GMT -5 project510 said:

Looks great Kyle! I see this kit a lot. I was even gifted this kit a LONG time ago but I donated it.

lol, donating it is the right move for this one. I have a soft spot for old kits but I bought this before I knew to research kits ahead of time. Still had fun with it and I like how it looks up on the shelf. 

Old kits like this are actually my preference for pure building fun. Sure, the latest slide molded super kit with 80% of that replaced by resin and etch aftermarket will be 1000% more "accurate" but for me nothing beats taking a basic bunch of chunks of plastic and turning into at least a passible model. 

[atomicholiday]

Jan 16, 2024 18:21:05 GMT -5 tcoat said:

Jan 16, 2024 18:00:13 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Ha!! Only 4 years in a row? I had a lot of time in cleaning up and making windows, but honestly it was better than I thought it would be based off its reputation. I have fun with old kits like this

lol, donating it is the right move for this one. I have a soft spot for old kits but I bought this before I knew to research kits ahead of time. Still had fun with it and I like how it looks up on the shelf. 

Old kits like this are actually my preference for pure building fun. Sure, the latest slide molded super kit with 80% of that replaced by resin and etch aftermarket will be 1000% more "accurate" but for me nothing beats taking a basic bunch of chunks of plastic and turning into at least a passible model. 

 Man I couldn't agree more.   Give me an old Monogram kit and I'm a happy guy. 

Looks really good Kyle!   Thanks for sharing this old war bird. 

[406 Silverado]

You've attained modeling superpowers now that I've seen you complete THAT kit. I had this one for a while and it was just too much for me at the time. I tip my hat to the man that built one of these and pulled it all off this well. 

[stikpusher]

I think that much of the poor fit reputation is due to the kit being in production for nearly 50 years now. The molds are quite worn. If you can find an old original white boxing Monogram release compared to one of the recent Revell issues, you should have far fewer fit problems.

Very nice work on your Widow!

[tcoat]

Jan 16, 2024 20:15:57 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

I think that much of the poor fit reputation is due to the kit being in production for nearly 50 years now. The molds are quite worn. If you can find an old original white boxing Monogram release compared to one of the recent Revell issues, you should have far fewer fit problems.

Very nice work on your Widow!

Those molds have probably made a million copies!

[stikpusher]

First issued by Monogram in 1974, so 50 years old this year....

and those original boxings came with this fine Sheperd Paine diorama flyer

P-61 Flyer

[kyledehart5]

Jan 16, 2024 20:32:26 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

First issued by Monogram in 1974, so 50 years old this year....

and those original boxings came with this fine Sheperd Paine diorama flyer

P-61 Flyer

Man. I got bamboozled. They didn’t give me anything that cool. 😂. I think my boxing was 2014ish? Can’t remember. It came with nothing. I’m think they did some boxings with figures too. But mine was just decals, instructions and airplane, plus lots of extra plastic between all the parts. Nice of them really. Lol

[tcoat]

Jan 16, 2024 20:56:36 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Jan 16, 2024 20:32:26 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

First issued by Monogram in 1974, so 50 years old this year....

and those original boxings came with this fine Sheperd Paine diorama flyer

P-61 Flyer

Man. I got bamboozled. They didn’t give me anything that cool. 😂. I think my boxing was 2014ish? Can’t remember. It came with nothing. I’m think they did some boxings with figures too. But mine was just decals, instructions and airplane, plus lots of extra plastic between all the parts. Nice of them really. Lol

Really? Mine are all the 2015 boxing and have three or 4 figures.

[kyledehart5]

Jan 16, 2024 21:04:47 GMT -5 tcoat said:

Jan 16, 2024 20:56:36 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Man. I got bamboozled. They didn’t give me anything that cool. 😂. I think my boxing was 2014ish? Can’t remember. It came with nothing. I’m think they did some boxings with figures too. But mine was just decals, instructions and airplane, plus lots of extra plastic between all the parts. Nice of them really. Lol

Really? Mine are all the 2015 boxing and have three or 4 figures.

Wow!! No figures in mine. Wonder if I got a return that they resealed? I bought it around 2015 or 2016 at Michael’s and opened it but didn’t actually build it until 2021 or 22? But I don’t have any figures. How very odd. Still a super fun old kit even if she’s a bit rough. Like I said, not the most fun I’ve ever had dealing with the canopy but I do enjoy these old kits. 

[TJ]

I've got two of these in the stash. I think they were given to me. I do remember buying one at Toys R Us for $6.99 way back. Yours looks great

[tcoat]

Jan 16, 2024 21:09:53 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Jan 16, 2024 21:04:47 GMT -5 tcoat said:

Really? Mine are all the 2015 boxing and have three or 4 figures.

Wow!! No figures in mine. Wonder if I got a return that they resealed? I bought it around 2015 or 2016 at Michael’s and opened it but didn’t actually build it until 2021 or 22? But I don’t have any figures. How very odd. Still a super fun old kit even if she’s a bit rough. Like I said, not the most fun I’ve ever had dealing with the canopy but I do enjoy these old kits. 

Mine all came from Michaels as well. It is one of the 5 or 6 they carry here and that is why he kept buying them. Haven't had the heart to say anything so probably get another next year. 
There are three marking options I can do and maybe an old crashed wreck in the jungle or something with the other. Way down the list though.

[kyledehart5]

Jan 16, 2024 18:21:05 GMT -5 tcoat said:

Jan 16, 2024 18:00:13 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Ha!! Only 4 years in a row? I had a lot of time in cleaning up and making windows, but honestly it was better than I thought it would be based off its reputation. I have fun with old kits like this

lol, donating it is the right move for this one. I have a soft spot for old kits but I bought this before I knew to research kits ahead of time. Still had fun with it and I like how it looks up on the shelf. 

Old kits like this are actually my preference for pure building fun. Sure, the latest slide molded super kit with 80% of that replaced by resin and etch aftermarket will be 1000% more "accurate" but for me nothing beats taking a basic bunch of chunks of plastic and turning into at least a passible model. 

I couldn’t agree more. The old monogram car kits and the Mack trucks are glorious. This old pile of scrap plastic, my Aurora Indycar from 1955, even that miserable Pete Brock 240Z and the magnificent Jo-Han caddy. So much fun to build the old kits. 

Jan 16, 2024 18:29:48 GMT -5 atomicholiday said:

Jan 16, 2024 18:21:05 GMT -5 tcoat said:

Old kits like this are actually my preference for pure building fun. Sure, the latest slide molded super kit with 80% of that replaced by resin and etch aftermarket will be 1000% more "accurate" but for me nothing beats taking a basic bunch of chunks of plastic and turning into at least a passible model. 

 Man I couldn't agree more.   Give me an old Monogram kit and I'm a happy guy. 

Looks really good Kyle!   Thanks for sharing this old war bird. 

Well said! And thank you! 

Jan 16, 2024 19:42:05 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

You've attained modeling superpowers now that I've seen you complete THAT kit. I had this one for a while and it was just too much for me at the time. I tip my hat to the man that built one of these and pulled it all off this well. 

Thanks Joe! I’ve always loved old kits and that combined with my stubbornness and stupidity led to this one getting finished. 

Jan 16, 2024 20:15:57 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

I think that much of the poor fit reputation is due to the kit being in production for nearly 50 years now. The molds are quite worn. If you can find an old original white boxing Monogram release compared to one of the recent Revell issues, you should have far fewer fit problems.

Very nice work on your Widow!

Thank you very much!! Sadly, this wasn’t the white box but one of the more recent Revell boxings. They have made so many of these. It’s absurd. The amount of profit off these molds alone. lol. Wouldn’t mind having a go at one of the great walls or other modern tooled P-61s to put with this one 

Jan 16, 2024 20:32:26 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

First issued by Monogram in 1974, so 50 years old this year....

and those original boxings came with this fine Sheperd Paine diorama flyer

P-61 Flyer

I accidentally selected this one again but as I’ve already replied I’ll just add some useless words. 🤣

[kyledehart5]

Jan 16, 2024 21:15:26 GMT -5 TJ said:

I've got two of these in the stash. I think they were given to me. I do remember buying one at Toys R Us for $6.99 way back. Yours looks great

You can fight your way to a good result if you ever decide to embark on this voyage. And thank you! 

Jan 16, 2024 21:15:36 GMT -5 tcoat said:

Jan 16, 2024 21:09:53 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Wow!! No figures in mine. Wonder if I got a return that they resealed? I bought it around 2015 or 2016 at Michael’s and opened it but didn’t actually build it until 2021 or 22? But I don’t have any figures. How very odd. Still a super fun old kit even if she’s a bit rough. Like I said, not the most fun I’ve ever had dealing with the canopy but I do enjoy these old kits. 

Mine all came from Michaels as well. It is one of the 5 or 6 they carry here and that is why he kept buying them. Haven't had the heart to say anything so probably get another next year. 
There are three marking options I can do and maybe an old crashed wreck in the jungle or something with the other. Way down the list though.

So weird. I just remember I wasn’t building at the time and went to Michael’s with my wife. I think this is one of the 5 kits they always have down here too and I love P-61s. She had a half off coupon so I bought it. And bought the decals off eBay. They’re microscale. Then I got intimidated and boxed it back up and didn’t start building it until 6ish years later. lol!! It would be a cool kit to do a crash diorama. 

[tcoat]

Jan 16, 2024 21:21:02 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Jan 16, 2024 21:15:26 GMT -5 TJ said:

[kyledehart5]

Jan 16, 2024 21:35:21 GMT -5 tcoat said:

Jan 16, 2024 21:21:02 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Yes! Excellent. I think I’ve seen at least that middle photo before. Is that the one they recovered and brought back to Pennsylvania? Anyways the photos seem familiar but I did look up about a million as I was doing research for my build. 

[Golikell]

You indeed did a good job at it... I build one for our son some 10 years ago... Not the easiest kit to roll back into modelling indeed but I persevered too...

[lyle]

Wow, that looks really good. I think I have at least one of these in the stash. Challenging kit and you have nailed. it.

[Green KreationZ]

Great job Kyle! I know those dark builds are hard to get right, you totally nailed it!

[project510]

Jan 16, 2024 18:00:13 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Jan 16, 2024 17:26:32 GMT -5 tcoat said:

LOL my brother-in-law has given me this kit for Christmas the last 4 years in a row. I started the first one but didn't make it far. Now that I see can can come out great I want to break it out and finish but I have a long line up ahead of it.

Ha!! Only 4 years in a row? I had a lot of time in cleaning up and making windows, but honestly it was better than I thought it would be based off its reputation. I have fun with old kits like this

Jan 16, 2024 17:29:03 GMT -5 project510 said:

Looks great Kyle! I see this kit a lot. I was even gifted this kit a LONG time ago but I donated it.

lol, donating it is the right move for this one. I have a soft spot for old kits but I bought this before I knew to research kits ahead of time. Still had fun with it and I like how it looks up on the shelf. 

Jan 16, 2024 18:21:05 GMT -5 tcoat said:

Jan 16, 2024 18:00:13 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Ha!! Only 4 years in a row? I had a lot of time in cleaning up and making windows, but honestly it was better than I thought it would be based off its reputation. I have fun with old kits like this

lol, donating it is the right move for this one. I have a soft spot for old kits but I bought this before I knew to research kits ahead of time. Still had fun with it and I like how it looks up on the shelf. 

Old kits like this are actually my preference for pure building fun. Sure, the latest slide molded super kit with 80% of that replaced by resin and etch aftermarket will be 1000% more "accurate" but for me nothing beats taking a basic bunch of chunks of plastic and turning into at least a passible model. 

It had nothing to do with the kit itself. I knew very little about it. At the time, I had never built a plane (still have not) and I didn't want it to sit in a closet. I used to manage a HobbyTownUSA and a gentleman who was a regular shopper brought me a box of like 20 airplanes. This was one of them, I donated them to a club in my area that took them to disabled veterans who built them. I wish I remembered who it was... Anyways, great build! Looks like this kit is pretty popular, maybe I should have kept it haha.

[handiabled]

It's been stated many times but I have seen more builds of these hit the shelf of doom than finished birds, great job on this Kyle!

[kyledehart5]

Jan 17, 2024 9:36:49 GMT -5 Golikell said:

You indeed did a good job at it... I build one for our son some 10 years ago... Not the easiest kit to roll back into modelling indeed but I persevered too...

First off, I had no idea this would be such an interest build! But I’m happy t have shared it. Thank you! Ad yours looks really wonderful!

Jan 17, 2024 11:04:57 GMT -5 lyle said:

Wow, that looks really good. I think I have at least one of these in the stash. Challenging kit and you have nailed. it.

Thank you!! It was fun to sort of defeat the kit. 

Jan 17, 2024 11:50:48 GMT -5 Green KreationZ said:

Great job Kyle! I know those dark builds are hard to get right, you totally nailed it!

Thanks very much! I really appreciate it. It was all elan experiment for me. 

Jan 17, 2024 11:55:25 GMT -5 project510 said:

Jan 16, 2024 18:00:13 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Ha!! Only 4 years in a row? I had a lot of time in cleaning up and making windows, but honestly it was better than I thought it would be based off its reputation. I have fun with old kits like this

lol, donating it is the right move for this one. I have a soft spot for old kits but I bought this before I knew to research kits ahead of time. Still had fun with it and I like how it looks up on the shelf. 

Jan 16, 2024 18:21:05 GMT -5 tcoat said:

Old kits like this are actually my preference for pure building fun. Sure, the latest slide molded super kit with 80% of that replaced by resin and etch aftermarket will be 1000% more "accurate" but for me nothing beats taking a basic bunch of chunks of plastic and turning into at least a passible model. 

It had nothing to do with the kit itself. I knew very little about it. At the time, I had never built a plane (still have not) and I didn't want it to sit in a closet. I used to manage a HobbyTownUSA and a gentleman who was a regular shopper brought me a box of like 20 airplanes. This was one of them, I donated them to a club in my area that took them to disabled veterans who built them. I wish I remembered who it was... Anyways, great build! Looks like this kit is pretty popular, maybe I should have kept it haha.

I know it’s a popular kit to hate. And it has its challenges but I found it to be a rewarding build. I know it’s also popular for Revell to trot back out nearly constantly. 

Jan 17, 2024 12:03:56 GMT -5 handiabled said:

It's been stated many times but I have seen more builds of these hit the shelf of doom than finished birds, great job on this Kyle!

Thank you!  When I bought it I had no idea so after I learned more about the kit I was glad to be able to knock it together. 

[Medicman71]

You did a great job on it. I had one that I got when I came back to the hobby. I messed around with it for a while, but then binned it. I have the Hobby Boss one in the stash.

[406 Silverado]

Jan 24, 2024 20:09:07 GMT -5 Medicman71 said:

You did a great job on it. I had one that I got when I came back to the hobby. I messed around with it for a while, but then binned it. I have the Hobby Boss one in the stash.

  I've heard many many good things about that HB kit.