{"product_id":"hobbyboss-plastic-model-kit-northrop-p-61a-black-widow-1-48","title":"Hobbyboss Plastic Model Kit Northrop P-61A Black Widow — 1:48","description":"\u003cp\u003eManufacturer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHobby Boss is a Chinese plastic model manufacturer with a broad range of aircraft, armour and naval subjects. The P-61A was released in July 2014 as kit 81730. The kit is designed as a detailed representation of Northrop's distinctive twin-boom night fighter.\n\u003cbr\u003eKit contents\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit contains 140+ plastic parts on 10 sprues, including:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Detailed fuselage and wings\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Detailed cockpit\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Detailed radial engines\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Twin engine nacelles and tail booms\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Retractable undercarriage\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Wheel wells and landing gear\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    P-61A dorsal gun turret\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Four 20 mm cannon\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Propellers and spinners\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Clear canopy and transparent components\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Metal parts\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Decals\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Assembly instructions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe completed model is approximately 315 mm long with a 419 mm wingspan, making it a substantial 1:48-scale model.\n\u003cbr\u003eHistory of the Northrop P-61 Black Widow\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Northrop P-61 Black Widow was the first American aircraft designed specifically from the outset as a dedicated night fighter. Its development was driven by the increasing effectiveness of night bombing and the need for an aircraft capable of detecting and attacking enemy aircraft in darkness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBefore the P-61 became available, the U.S. Army Air Forces had used adapted aircraft such as the Douglas P-70 Havoc and modified Beaufighters for night interception. The P-61 represented a much more sophisticated approach, incorporating airborne radar into a purpose-designed fighter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe prototype first flew in May 1942, and the first operational Black Widows entered service in October 1943. The first unit to receive the P-61A was the 6th Night Fighter Squadron in Hawaii.\n\u003cbr\u003eP-61A development\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe P-61A was a large, three-seat, twin-engine aircraft with a central fuselage pod and two engine nacelles extending rearwards into twin tail booms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe crew consisted of:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Pilot\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Gunner\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Radar operator\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe radar operator occupied the rear section of the central fuselage and used the aircraft's airborne interception radar to detect and track targets at night.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe unusual twin-boom arrangement provided room for the crew, radar equipment, fuel and armament while keeping the aircraft aerodynamically efficient.\n\u003cbr\u003eArmament\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Black Widow carried exceptionally heavy armament for a night fighter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIts fixed armament consisted of:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    4 × 20 mm cannon\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    4 × .50-calibre machine guns in the dorsal turret on early P-61A aircraft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe first 37 P-61s were fitted with the four-gun dorsal turret; subsequent aircraft had the turret deleted or modified.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis gave the P-61 considerable destructive capability when attacking bombers or other aircraft.\n\u003cbr\u003eRadar\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRadar was central to the P-61's design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft's airborne interception radar allowed the radar operator to detect an enemy aircraft without relying on visual contact. This was particularly important when operating at night, when conventional fighter tactics were severely restricted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe P-61 therefore combined radar detection, dedicated crew stations and heavy forward armament into a single specialised aircraft.\n\u003cbr\u003eEngines and performance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe P-61A was powered by two Pratt \u0026amp; Whitney R-2800 radial engines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePublished specifications for the P-61 family give approximately:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Length: 15.11 m\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Wingspan: 20.12 m\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Height: 4.47 m\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Maximum speed: approximately 589 km\/h\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Crew: 3\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Engine: 2 × Pratt \u0026amp; Whitney R-2800\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Armament: 4 × 20 mm cannon and, on applicable aircraft, 4 × .50-calibre machine guns\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Role: Night fighter\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSome specifications vary between P-61 variants and equipment configurations.\n\u003cbr\u003eOperational service\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe 6th Night Fighter Squadron was the first unit to take the P-61 into combat. The Black Widow subsequently replaced earlier night-fighter types including the P-70 and P-38J in the Pacific.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eP-61s operated in both the Pacific and European theatres during the latter part of the Second World War. Their missions included night interception, bomber defence, patrols and attacks against ground targets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft's radar allowed crews to operate independently of visual conditions to a much greater extent than earlier night fighters.\n\u003cbr\u003eHistorical importance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe P-61 represents an important stage in the development of modern all-weather interception. Rather than adapting an existing daylight fighter, Northrop designed the aircraft around the requirements of night combat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIts large airframe accommodated:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Airborne radar\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Three crew members\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Heavy cannon armament\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Large fuel capacity\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Twin radial engines\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    A dedicated radar-operator station\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Black Widow therefore became one of the most technologically sophisticated U.S. piston-engine fighters of the Second World War.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hobbyboss","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57504170082684,"sku":"Hobbyboss-81730","price":34.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0432\/8584\/0033\/files\/45091E31-38A8-4DE0-B990-01FC91A8A03F.jpg?v=1790402251","url":"https:\/\/sussex-model-centre.co.uk\/products\/hobbyboss-plastic-model-kit-northrop-p-61a-black-widow-1-48","provider":"Sussex Model Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}