Airfix 1/72 P-61

RE: Airfix 1/72 P-61 (buckeyeuk)

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:32:42 GMT

AJ......the black applied to these P-61s (except the first few which were camouflaged) was a full gloss , ANA 622 usually known as Jet 622 ; also used on some special-duty bombers like Carpetbagger B-24s and under night bomber B-29s. The FS no. was around 17038, the 1 meaning gloss.
It replaced the matt black 604; gloss had been found (as by the British) to be much more effective for concealment from searchlights, also the matt (especially the British sort) had poor adhesion to primers and increased drag.
In fact the gloss 622 lasted quite well and photos of "Lady" show it around the cowlings and nose. The most weathering on P-61s seemed to be a light grey above the wings, back from the engines. Richard has the right idea, at a small scale like 1/72 semi-gloss with some overspray would be better.
One photo of "Lady" shows the fuselage insignia either overpainted grey or stained.

The RAF discontinued their matt black finishes for night fighters ( Smooth Night and Special Night RDM2A ) as their priority was concealment from German night fighters rather than searchlights so they opted for overall Medium Sea Grey with dark green patches on upper surfaces. RAF bombers continued with "Night" though AAF Jet would no doubt have been more effective.
One reason they changed the insignia in 1942 to reduce the white and yellow areas was that it compromised the black camouflage; the early roundels with wide white and yellow rings showed up as a spot of light in a searchlight at a height of 20,000 feet.
The first Army night fighters ( P-70s) would have had matt black finish; though you can't always rely on old colour photos they seem to weather a grey tone. The RAF matt "Night" pigments gradually faded white and exhaust stains became light grey as on the P-61s.
Incidentally P-61 serials were Dull Red on black and Insignia Yellow on Olive Drab.

Nick

RE: Airfix 1/72 P-61 (Yunch)

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 08:01:39 GMT

Prop,
Good sugestions from Lynn. I have had good results with Dul-Coat on my HO train lay out, cars buildings etc. You can buy the can and try it on scrap pieces. I think you will like it.

Good Luck

RE: Airfix 1/72 P-61 (Lynn Fairbanks)

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 21:15:36 GMT

Propwash--if you want a weathered effect, try Testor's Dullcote (in a can)--fair warning: do so before attaching any clear parts such as canopy as Dullcote, while giving a dull weathered effect will fog the clear, leaving a really bad looking canopy. But if you mask clear parts, you should be okay. It's alright to give a couple of coats of the stuff depending on how dull you want the finish. Pacific a/c always tended to have a more faded finish--am working on a P-38 that I'm converting to an F5 photo ship. Good luck and hope this helps.

Lynn Robert Fairbanks

RE: Airfix 1/72 P-61 (Propwash)

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 07:15:56 GMT

Thanks SHAEF. I think I may go with satin. :)

RE: Airfix 1/72 P-61 (SHAEF1944)

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:42:35 GMT

A couple more. Might be best to go with semi-gloss or satin, then dry-brush with a greyish/brown for the weathered effect.

[image]local://14097/3E44407E979043069F050B9678645999.jpg[/image]

[image]local://14097/709C41CD401B46E98E690A6823AB9055.jpg[/image]

RE: Airfix 1/72 P-61 (SHAEF1944)

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:38:49 GMT

Hi Prop Heres a few ref. shots to go by. Depends on how weathered you want to go, looks like the black started out really glossy, then faded to widely varying degrees

[image]local://14097/F7CC59E6F21946C2B90513337B58FE20.jpg[/image]

[image]local://14097/5466B0D2E70548A2B68BD3D7B2AFB827.jpg[/image]

Airfix 1/72 P-61 (Propwash)

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:12:07 GMT

I'm planning to build the above kit soon and will be depicting 'Lady in the Dark'.

I'm a brush painter and use Humbrol enamels, although I may use a Tamiya rattle-can for this one.

My question is:
Would a weathered wartime ship have more of a matt black finish?
Guess my choices will be matt, satin or gloss.......

Thanks