{"product_id":"hobbyboss-1-72-us-p-61a-black-widow-87261-easy-assembly-wwii-usaaf-twin-engine-night-fighter-aircraft-plastic-model-kit-nz-stock","title":"HobbyBoss 1\/72 US P-61A Black Widow 87261 Easy Assembly WWII USAAF Twin-Engine Night Fighter Aircraft Plastic Model Kit NZ Stock","description":"\u003cp\u003e• 1\/72 scale US P-61A Black Widow plastic model kit by HobbyBoss (Kit No. 87261)\u003cbr\u003e• Part of the HobbyBoss Easy Assembly Authentic Kit series, designed to provide an enjoyable and accessible model-building experience\u003cbr\u003e• Represents the legendary Northrop P-61A Black Widow, an American twin-engine night fighter developed during World War II\u003cbr\u003e• The P-61 was the first American military aircraft designed specifically as a radar-equipped night fighter\u003cbr\u003e• Developed by the Northrop Corporation to intercept enemy aircraft during night-time and poor-visibility operations\u003cbr\u003e• First flew in May 1942 and entered operational service in 1944\u003cbr\u003e• Features the distinctive twin-boom configuration, central crew nacelle, broad wings and twin radial engines\u003cbr\u003e• The P-61's unusual appearance makes it one of the most recognisable American fighter aircraft of WWII\u003cbr\u003e• Powered by two Pratt \u0026amp; Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engines\u003cbr\u003e• The P-61A used powerful twin-row, 18-cylinder radial engines producing approximately 2,000 horsepower each\u003cbr\u003e• Designed to combine airborne radar detection, heavy cannon armament and long-range night interception capabilities\u003cbr\u003e• Equipped with the SCR-720 airborne interception radar, allowing crews to locate enemy aircraft in darkness\u003cbr\u003e• The radar antenna was housed inside the aircraft's distinctive rounded nose\u003cbr\u003e• Typically operated by a three-person crew, consisting of a pilot, radar operator and gunner, although some missions used smaller crews\u003cbr\u003e• Armed with four forward-firing 20mm Hispano M2 cannons mounted beneath the central fuselage\u003cbr\u003e• Some P-61A aircraft also carried a remotely controlled dorsal turret with four .50-calibre machine guns, depending on production configuration\u003cbr\u003e• The combination of radar and powerful armament made the Black Widow a formidable night interception aircraft\u003cbr\u003e• Designed to intercept enemy bombers and other hostile aircraft operating under cover of darkness\u003cbr\u003e• Equipped with a retractable tricycle landing gear arrangement, unusual among many American WWII fighters\u003cbr\u003e• Features a large wingspan designed to support the aircraft's substantial weight and long-range operational requirements\u003cbr\u003e• The P-61A was the first major production version of the Black Widow\u003cbr\u003e• Early P-61A aircraft were commonly finished in Olive Drab and Neutral Grey camouflage, while later aircraft and variants adopted overall black finishes\u003cbr\u003e• Operated by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) in both the European and Pacific theatres\u003cbr\u003e• Served with specialised Night Fighter Squadrons responsible for defending Allied airfields, military installations and operational areas\u003cbr\u003e• Conducted night interception missions against Japanese aircraft during the Pacific War\u003cbr\u003e• Also operated in Europe against German aircraft during the later stages of WWII\u003cbr\u003e• The P-61 was capable of conducting night interception, defensive patrol and selected ground-attack missions\u003cbr\u003e• The original P-61A had a maximum speed of approximately 590km\/h, depending on operating conditions\u003cbr\u003e• The aircraft measured approximately 15.1 metres in length with a wingspan of approximately 20.1 metres\u003cbr\u003e• At 1\/72 scale, these dimensions translate to an approximate model length of 21cm and wingspan of 28cm\u003cbr\u003e• The Black Widow's distinctive twin-boom layout provides an interesting alternative to conventional single-engine WWII fighter aircraft\u003cbr\u003e• The P-61 family remained in service after World War II, with some aircraft later redesignated F-61\u003cbr\u003e• The design also formed the basis for the Northrop F-15 Reporter reconnaissance aircraft\u003cbr\u003e• Represents an important chapter in American night fighter development, airborne radar technology and World War II aviation history\u003cbr\u003e• Easy Assembly design makes this kit an appealing choice for modellers seeking a more straightforward aircraft-building project\u003cbr\u003e• 1\/72 scale provides an excellent balance between manageable display size and the Black Widow's impressive twin-engine silhouette\u003cbr\u003e• Ideal for collectors of WWII USAAF aircraft, American night fighters, Northrop aircraft and twin-engine military warplanes\u003cbr\u003e• Excellent companion to P-38 Lightning, P-70 Havoc, Bristol Beaufighter, de Havilland Mosquito and other WWII night fighter aircraft\u003cbr\u003e• Suitable for WWII Pacific airfield scenes, European night fighter bases and American military aviation dioramas\u003cbr\u003e• Offers excellent opportunities for recreating historically researched USAAF camouflage schemes and night fighter finishes\u003cbr\u003e• Ideal for realistic panel line washes, exhaust staining, paint fading, oil streaks and subtle operational weathering\u003cbr\u003e• The twin radial engines, central nacelle and twin tail booms create distinctive areas for careful painting and finishing\u003cbr\u003e• The large wing surfaces provide opportunities for practising airbrush camouflage, colour modulation and restrained weathering techniques\u003cbr\u003e• Suitable for display alongside compatible 1\/72 scale USAAF ground crew figures, airfield equipment and military vehicles, available separately\u003cbr\u003e• Particularly appealing to enthusiasts of WWII night aviation, radar-equipped fighters, American military aircraft and unusual aircraft designs\u003cbr\u003e• A distinctive addition to any collection of HobbyBoss aircraft models, WWII fighters and historic USAAF warplanes\u003cbr\u003e• Brand: HobbyBoss\u003cbr\u003e• Kit Number: 87261\u003cbr\u003e• Scale: 1\/72\u003cbr\u003e• Subject: Northrop P-61A Black Widow\u003cbr\u003e• Series: Easy Assembly Authentic Kit\u003cbr\u003e• Aircraft Type: Twin-Engine Night Fighter\u003cbr\u003e• Operator: United States Army Air Forces (USAAF)\u003cbr\u003e• Historical Period: World War II\u003cbr\u003e• Engines: Two Pratt \u0026amp; Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp Radial Engines\u003cbr\u003e• Category: WWII Military Aircraft Plastic Model Kit\u003cbr\u003e• Kit supplied unpainted and unassembled\u003cbr\u003e• Glue and paint not included\u003cbr\u003e• Recommended for modellers aged 14+\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hobbyboss","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52370046648566,"sku":"87261","price":51.95,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0702\/3227\/7238\/files\/87261.jpg?v=1794384567","url":"https:\/\/www.imaginefleet.co.nz\/products\/hobbyboss-1-72-us-p-61a-black-widow-87261-easy-assembly-wwii-usaaf-twin-engine-night-fighter-aircraft-plastic-model-kit-nz-stock","provider":"Imaginefleet Hobby","version":"1.0","type":"link"}