Airfix or FROG P-61 Black Widow?

[Martin R]

At some point I would like a CBK of the Black Widow in my collection in 1/72. I would build this wheels down and would not be looking to make use of any working features. Assuming then that my choice is between FROG or Airfix, which one would you advise me to go for?

Possible criteria:

Accuracy,
Fit,
Detail,
Marking options,
. . . .

<Mods, didn't know whether this sat better in "Small Talk" or here. Feel free to move thread if required.>

regards,

Martin

[Lyell72planes]

The Frog P61 does not have a top turret like the Airfix kit. The
Frog P61 was a early version and comes with invasion stripes.
Of the two, I like the Airfix P61 better. Lyell...

[Dirkpitt289]

I have the Airfix kit on the shelf un-built. I'm not that impressed but then again I have nothing to compare it to

[peebeep]

Get one of each!

They're both typical products of each stable, with the Airfix you get lots of rivets, the Frog ugly raised lines. The Airfix looks better detailed, but the Frog builds nicely enough - I can vouch for that, a cadet at my squadron finished one last year, a momentous event as completed cadet builds are extremely rare.

peebeep

[Martin R]

Bruce,

Ta.

Neither are very good

In terms of the state of the art, I wouldn't expect them to be. Are there any specifics you are thinking of?

the Airfix one was a load of working features.

Do the working features compromise the accuracy to a massive extent (yep, define "massive": Erm, here goes. Although gaps in hingelines may be overscale, if they're "approximately" in the right location, I'd be happy . If however those hingelines were obviously in the wrong place - I'm thinking Boston ailerons here, whose chord at their outer edge was about half of the wing chord at that location - then I would regard that as massive).

regards,

Martin

[Martin R]

I have the Airfix kit on the shelf un-built. I'm not that impressed but then again I have nothing to compare it to

Cheers, Dirk

[Martin R]

Get one of each!

They're both typical products of each stable, with the Airfix you get lots of rivets, the Frog ugly raised lines. The Airfix looks better detailed, but the Frog builds nicely enough - I can vouch for that, a cadet at my squadron finished one last year, a momentous event as completed cadet builds are extremely rare.

peebeep

Paul,

Nope. Only plan to acquire one. Neither my wallet nor my stash would permit more.

I hear what you say re the FROG building nicely. Any views as to the Airfix?

regards,

Martin

[Martin R]

Of the two, I like the Airfix P61 better. Lyell...

Lyell,

Thanks for this. If I can press you further: why? Or is it just a personal preference (and where would we be without those )?

regards,

Martin

[Dirkpitt289]

Here is a link to a thread of someone who has built the Airfix P-61 Black Widow. Again this is one persons opinion so thake it how you wish. If anything it's a good in site to how the aircraft builds up

http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/your-c ... 29543.html

[Lyell72planes]

The Airfix P61 has the raised rivets, top gun turret, radar, and
auxillary fuel tanks and bombs. The Frog P61 has the raised panel
lines, no top turret and only the auxillary fuel tanks. Having built
both, IMHO the Airfix P61 looks better. Both are inexpensive kits
and I collect Classic British kits hence I have both. Lyell

PS Both kits build the same and have some fit issues but nothing
that would put me off them.

[Saxon]

I would get the Dragon kit, it is far nicer than Airfix or Frog and goes together very well. Not too mention it probably costs about the same as well. I know mine was the same price as the Airfix one.

I know this doesn't answer your question of Airfix vs Frog but thought I would throw it in anyway, if you haven't bought either one, look for Dragon.

[dogsbody]

Here's what you get with FROG:









Chris

[Martin R]

The Airfix P61 has the raised rivets, top gun turret, radar, and
auxillary fuel tanks and bombs. The Frog P61 has the raised panel
lines, no top turret and only the auxillary fuel tanks. Having built
both, IMHO the Airfix P61 looks better. Both are inexpensive kits
and I collect Classic British kits hence I have both. Lyell

PS Both kits build the same and have some fit issues but nothing
that would put me off them.

Lyell,

Great information. Thank you.

regards,

Martin

[Martin R]

Here's what you get with FROG:









Chris

Chris,

Many thanks. Really useful!

regards,

Martin

[Martin R]

When you do get around to building one, LMK because I have scale drawings (not great ones, but to scale nonetheless). You should also, btw, be able to get the old Monogram 1:48 one fairly cheaply now that the Great Wall one is out.

The biggest problem with the Airfix one (I don't fuss so much with panel lines, as you probably know) is that the cockpit, and hence the canopy, is too wide. Probably by about as much as the Boston was too narrow. Swings and roundabouts. You have to remember that the P-61 was, first and foremost, a fighter with tandem seating in the cockpit. The Airfix cockpit builds up like the bridge of the Starship Enterprise. Quite expansive.

On a positive note, I emailed Falcon a year or so ago, and they said that they were hoping to be bringing out P-61 canopies in 1:72 and 1:48 within a couple of years. I might email them to see where they're up to with that! People are always looking for AM bits to add to their shiny new kits.

I had the FROG kit out a year or so ago. It's been put away. I think there's a reason for that. I can't remember, but it's probably not as good as the Airfix kit. Its one saving grace is a personal one - I built it as a kid

Bruce,

TVM - and I will definitely let you know when (if) I get round to this. I was thinking in terms of a Twin Boom GB entrant, but I'm not wanting to do masses of extra work (some would be OK, though). It's moot because I can't find either one in my price range, but given the responses I'm leaning towards the Airfix.

regards,

Martin