1:72 P-61C exterior

P-61C exterior 1:72 — an Eduard photo-etched set

A photo-etched set from the Czech maker Eduard intended to improve the exterior of a plastic kit of the night fighter Northrop P-61C in 1:72 scale. The set belongs to what are called exterior sets: it concentrates on the parts that are visible on the surface of the airframe and that injection-molded plastic in a small scale cannot render at a realistic thickness. Typically these are grilles, covers, flaps, small sheet metal features and parts of the landing gear bays. The photo-etched stainless steel is an order of magnitude thinner than plastic, so these features look considerably more faithful once painted.

The real subject

The Northrop P-61 Black Widow was the first American aircraft designed from the outset as a night fighter with an onboard radar. It had a twin-boom layout, two radial engines and the crew in a central nacelle. The P-61C version was the last production variant with more powerful engines fitted with turbochargers, which improved performance at higher altitudes. It came about only at the end of the war, however, and never saw extensive combat use; some of the machines served in test and research roles.

Fitting tips

In 1:72 scale the photo-etched parts are very small, so it pays to work on a light surface and to cut them off with a scalpel against a hard board rather than with scissors. Make the bends in a bending tool or between rulers. They are bonded with super glue applied with the tip of a toothpick, or with liquid cement for plastic where the part sits on a plastic base. It is a good idea to sand the places where a photo-etched part will go completely smooth first. Apply a primer before painting, otherwise the paint cracks and peels off the steel.

Who the set is for

• Modelers building the P-61 in 1:72 scale who want more accurate surface detail
• Builders with experience of small photo-etched parts
• Those interested in American aircraft of the Second World War
• Competition modelers, for whom the scale fidelity of the surface matters

The set is an accessory for a plastic kit, not a standalone model. The kit, glue and paints are not included in the package.