That's so true. Did it at least come with a crayon sharpener??

Satin that's ok there's no dead line

Mark I try to stay in the lines. Besides the book needed color

Well, I spent a little time getting some interior yellow between the lines. Does that count?

The postie brought me a psychedelic box containing the following

Still in its plastic wrap, even
Thanks muchly, Justin!
Now to have some fun!

Hey Justin, U see this? http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com/MoreP61Stuff.html

Jess your welcome and quicker than I thought if you look on the side it still has the original k-mart price tag from the 80's wish they still cost that.enjoy

Mark that's the best refs I have man me and you are walking the same circles.I'm hoping these books joel will be acquiring have some better pictures and he might be willing to share

Got my resin engines and Eduard cockpit details today. Who hoo.

It certainly seems like the Black Widow experts are here. So, a question I've had. Photos of aircraft with the semi-transparent Radar noses seem to show an opaque area at the bottom of the nose but still above the paint line. Anyone know what that is and the best way to replicate it?

I'm planning to do one either Moon Happy or Virgin Widow as in the GWH Glass Nose kit but I'm not sure what to do about that bit. Can't decide between the two of them yet, but the same feature is on both.

Thanks!!

Michael

From the limited pictures I can find looks like flat white with a coat of dirty

Several pics I've seen show a boarding ladder in the back of the nose gear well. Where does it go? is it just for the forward gunner or can the pilot get in that way too?

See this example middle of the page

That boarding ladder is for both pilot and gunner. The top of the canopy opened to allow the pilot to step up over the top of his seat without going through the glass.

If you want to know anything about the P-61 from cockpit layout to how to board one and start the engines try this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo-f2x8T7d8

Later

wow I think I'm licensed to fly one now very cool thanks bruce

OK, did you get all of that?

anytime Justin

Later

Mark, truly outstanding references.

I getting to the point where I'm planning (ok, dreaming), of doing way more then I'm capable of. It's getting harder and harder to concentrate on the TBD-1, and finish it in a timely manner.

Joel

Justin, Of course I'll share. The books aren't mine, they're my brothers who lives 30 min east of me. I get the info from them when he scans it into his system, or be lucky enough to borrow them, scan what we need, and post it. From what I have, and seen posted here, there's not much more cockpit/interior stuff that needed. What I'll do is post what the books have, and if you or anyone needs some of it, I'll scan it in.
BTW,Pete's going big time with the HB 1/32 P-61, but he wants to finish another Tamiya 1/32 P-51D he's working on 1st.
Joel

Jess, From the few pictures I have of the external view of the front wheel well, that ladder goes into the well. There appears to be a floor opening right behind the pilot's seat to access the wheel well. Since both sides of the fuselage next to the cockpit have external antennas, I don't think that they climbed over them to access the cockpit. I would venture an educated guess that the pilot climbed over the back of his seat to seat down in it, hence the need for the canopy glass to open up.

Hopefully, someone with more knowledge can shed a definitive light on this.
Joel

Yes, that's exactly what I said
The crew got into the airplane by climbing through the wheel well, and then the pilot had to climb over the back of his seat in order to sit down. In an emergency he could exit over the side of the aircraft, but there's no easy way in that way; no ladders, no built-in steps on the outside of the aircraft.

Well I guess its better than burning

Jessica, sorry that I miss read what your wrote. At least we both came to the right conclusion.
Joel

Hi Guys
Been following the discussion with lots of great information is being shared. Right now, I'm knee deep in my 32nd scale Tamiya P-51D Mustang and when done, will be ready to start my HB P-61B Black Widow. I'm still collecting AM parts and upgrades, as some are not yet available in 32nd scale but on the way (hopefully). The MAAM P-61 is B model and a fabulous reference.

Bro, Looking forward to following your "Old Crow" Build.

You can always help out your buddies here and scan/post some research material as you come across answers to issues we're having.

Joel

Yeah bro help

I didnt see this GB until now..I might have gotten a head start..I started this build about ..errr 2 weeks ago I think...Im building the MAAM ship for someone with MAAM..so it'll be a fully restored spankin new condition model...
and maybe I'll be able to get back to the GWH build I started many moons ago...building MoonHappy...
this ones the HobbyBoss kit..




heres where she sits now