HobbyBoss 1/32 Northrop P-61B Tweaking Notes

By Steve Sobieralski

KIT DATABASE ENTRY:

http://www.largescaleplanes.com/kitdb/details.php?kit=2029

OVERVIEW

As part of this process, and for my own curiosity, I have produced the following list of differences between the various sub-types of both the A and B models, and the modifications to the kit required to produce that particular type. I am not a P-61 “expert”, but over a period of years I have acquired most of the available references on the P-61 and I have used these, as well as information available on-line. I am sure that this list is neither complete nor without error and there are several areas where changes are mentioned in the literature, but with no descriptions or illustrations that I have been able to find. These include the original hydraulic actuation for the landing gear doors, early cockpit heating system, differences between the early and later radar units, wing landing light changes, and several others.

The steps below refer to the 1/32 HobbyBoss P-61B kit instructions. Because of the step-by-step nature of the list I am afraid it is a bit redundant in some areas.

Note: Some later As and early Bs were apparently fitted with gun turrets in the field, mostly fixed to fire forward and operated by the pilot. (Edit 9/14/13)

BUILDING THE P-61A-1

Step 2

Step 4

Step 9

Step 10

Step 13

Step 14

Step 17

Step 18

Step 20

Step 21

Step 23

Step 28

Step 29

Step 31

Step 33

Step 36

Step 38

BUILDING THE P-61A-5

Follow Steps for P-61A-1 With These Exceptions:

Step 2

Step 20

Step 21

Step 23

Step 28

BUILDING THE P-61A-10

No external differences from P-61A-5.

BUILDING THE P-61A-11

Follow Steps for P-61A-10 With These Exceptions:

Step 31

Step 36

BUILDING THE P-61B-1

Step 2

Step3

Steps 4, 10, 11 and 12

Step 10

Step 17

Step 20

Step 21

Step 23

Step 28

Step 29

Step 31

Step 33

Step 34

Step 36

Step 38

BUILDING THE P-61B-2

Follow steps for the P-61B-1 with these exceptions:

Step 31

Step 36

BUILDING THE P-61B-6

There are references in the P-61 literature to this model, but I have been unable to determine what its specific features were.

BUILDING THE P-61B-10

Follow steps for P-61B-2 with these exceptions:

Step 31

Step 36

BUILDING THE P-61B-11

Follow steps for P-61B-10 with these exceptions:

Step 2

Step 21

BUILDING THE P-61B-15

Follow steps for P-61B-11 with these exceptions:

Step 21

BUILDING THE P-61B-16

BUILDING THE P-61B-20

BUILDING THE P-61B-25

FINAL NOTES

That's about it, at least for major visual differences among the variants. As always, check your references for the specific plane you are modeling, as individual airframes sometimes had non-standard factory or field modifications. Apologies for any errors and/or omissions, and any comments, additions, and/or corrections that anyone may wish to contribute are more than welcome.

© Steve Sobieralski 2013

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This article was published on Friday, August 05 2016; Last modified on Friday, August 05 2016