What about the P61 Black Widow

[Tern]

 

Originally posted by Gorf:
The performace of the P61 did not fall to the floor like the P38.  ...the P61 had the tightest turning radius of any Army Aircorp fighter in WWII and it was twice the size.  

Gorf
 

PSS  Did ya know there was a variant fo the P38 that had 12.. let me say 12 50 cals on it.

 

Okay, in favor of the 61... It was the fastest ROLLING plane bar none, period, it's in black n white if ya wanna go see fer yerself!  It retained good E and had I believe initially... 10 to 12 .50's  (6 in the turret and 6 in the nose) Which was cut  down to 4 in the turret and 4 in the nose with a 20 or 2 under neath the nose.  End of war found it sporting the 4 .20's and 4 .50's...  But man-o-man could she fly!  You're right about it being the most nimble of all our twin engine fighter/intecepters and turning was enhanced by them full length slats.  Quite nimbel indeed.
Tern sez: "Live to Fly, Fly to Fight, Fight to Live!"  

PS In the 38 or 61, the enemy better pray you don't get guns on em!

[Tern]

 

Originally posted by ra:
Gorf,

Regardless of how high-tech the Black Widow was, it was not particularly successful, obsolete by the time it reached combat units.
..
If you want a big ground pounding fighter the Mossie would fit the role, and they were built in much greater numbers than was the P-61.

--ra--

RA, I would like to see where you got yer data from.  The guys I know say far different.  That had it been in action the last 2 years of the war instead of the last 8 months, it would have been a note as a premier fighter and ground pounder.
Me thinks RA has his head up his arse again.  But then that is nly IMHO.

Tern

[Tern]

 

Originally posted by ra:
<<And RA .. a QUIZ question for you.. what plane had the fastest role rate of any US fighter used in WWII.....
Wrong, it was the P-63 Kingcobra, I doubt the P-47 was in the top 3. And the P-61 did have the lowest roll rate of any US fighter.

It sounds like you want an uber Boulton-Paul Defiant.                      

--ra--

RA get yer head outta yer arse!  The 47 and 61 had reallll close roll rates.  The 47-D was one of the FASTEST rollers.  The 61, could out roll the 47-D by a margin, but then that margin is all you need in a fight.

Humble, I remember that wager!  Was funny as hell when I read it and still is today.  Thanks for reminding me.  

Tern

[indian]

A few P61 photos.

 
 
 
 
 

------------------
Tommy (INDIAN) Toon
  Cherokee Indian



[This message has been edited by indian (edited 01-21-2000).]