Hobby Boss 87261 US P-61A Black Widow 1/72 – Plastic Aircraft Model Kit

Hobby Boss 87261 US P-61A Black Widow in 1/72 scale is a unique plastic kit, representing an American heavy night fighter from the Second World War. The set includes over 60 carefully reproduced parts, spread across 10 sprues, allowing you to achieve an impressive level of detail at this scale. Once assembled, the model measures approximately 210 mm in length and has a wingspan of 279 mm, faithfully reproducing the proportions of the real aircraft.

• Scale: 1/72 – dedicated to collectors and modelers seeking a compromise between detail and model size.
• Material: high-quality plastic with precise castings, making assembly and painting easier and providing an excellent base for further upgrades.
• User country: United States of America
• Period of use: Second World War (years 1943–1945)

The Northrop P-61A Black Widow was an innovative night fighter designed to counter enemy night bombing raids. As the first American aircraft built from scratch for night operations, it was equipped with onboard radar, which was a technological breakthrough. The P-61A first entered service in October 1943, and with its alien-like appearance and powerful armament—four 20 mm cannons and four machine guns in the upper turret—it quickly earned the respect of USAAF pilots. Its combat debut took place in the Pacific: the 6th Night-Fighter Squadron in Hawaii replaced older aircraft with modern P-61As as early as May 1944. These planes effectively intercepted Japanese aircraft operating at night, ensuring air superiority during nocturnal engagements.

• Set components: kit for self-assembly, does not include extras such as metal barrels or photo-etched parts – a pure base for fans of customization.
• Category: Plastic model kit (aircraft plastic kit)

We recommend the Hobby Boss 87261 US P-61A Black Widow kit to both intermediate and experienced modelers who enjoy detail and have experience with precise assembly of WW2 military aircraft models in 1:72 scale. The assembly difficulty is rated at 3/5, and the detailing of the fuselage and wings encourages further custom enhancements. This is a great addition for anyone looking to expand their collection with a unique, historic night fighter with a rich combat record.