Specifications: Northrop P-61B Black Widow
Dimensions:
Length: 49.57ft (15.11m)
Width: 65.98ft (20.11m)
Height: 14.67ft (4.47m)
Performance:
Max Speed: 366mph (589kmh; 318kts)
Max Range: 1,350miles (2,172km)
Rate-of-Climb: 2,090ft/min (637m/min)
Ceiling: 33,005ft (10,060m; 6.3miles)
Structure:
Accommodation: 3
Hardpoints: 4
Empty Weight: 23,451lbs (10,637kg)
MTOW: 36,200lbs (16,420kg)
Power:
Engine(s): 2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-65 Double-Wasp 18-cylinder radial piston engines developing 2,000hp
The Northrop-produced P-61 Black Widow was the first aircraft specifically designed as a true nightfighter from the outset. After realizing the initial successes of such aircraft throughout Europe (in particular the British Mosquitoes and German Ju 88 nightfighters) Northrop engineers set forth to create this twin-boom design as a heavily-armed platform built specifically for the night sky.
The design of the Black Widow was such that the crew could operate the various systems in complete darkness, with the ability to track and ultimately destroy unsuspecting incoming enemy aircraft at will. A crew of three was required to pilot, track and engage, and the aircraft was consequently covered in a black tone to keep it from being obviously visible to the naked eye in the darkness. The twin boom arrangements housed the two Pratt & Whitney turbocharged engines and were joined at rear by a large plane and twin rudder formation. Either boom straddled the sides of the crew areas. The pilot sat in the forward cockpit with the gunner immediately behind him in an elevated position. The radar operator sat at the isolated extreme rear of the gondola, operating the SCR-720 series radar system mounted in the nose. The engine nacelles were fitted near the wing roots and generated a very solid center of gravity when both engines throttled.
Armament of the P-61 consisted of a radio-controlled dorsal turret housing a battery of 4 x 12.7mm heavy machine guns. Ventral armament consisted of an arrangement housing 4 x 20mm cannons, though these were in a fixed-forward firing position. Early models displayed a defect in flight when the dorsal turret - if held at specific right angles - caused the entire centerline of the aircraft to go off-kilter, resulting in severe buffeting issues. A quick solution resulted in the complete removal of the dorsal turret in the initial batch "A" production models until a resolution was found - the turret would be brought back into production in later "B" models. Any of the three crew members could aim and fire the dorsal turret, as a 360 degree fire arc was possible. The pilot could lock the turret in a fixed-forward alignment and fire it in addition to the 20mm cannon armament. The ability for the radar operator in the rear cockpit to aim and fire the machine guns was key as he was provided the best viewpoint of any oncoming enemy aircraft from the rear. Additional improvements in design would include a lengthening of the fuselage that directly resolved the buffeting issue and the ability for the aircraft to carry fuel drop tanks or four 1,600lb bombs into combat.
The P-61 enjoyed successes in the Second World War from its inception in 1944 onwards. The Black Widow would make more combat appearances up until 1950 - now designated as the F-61 - and become the founding member aircraft of the newly-formed US Air Defense Command, charged with defending America's airspace from the direct threat posed by the Soviet Union throughout the Cold War. The Black Widow was eventually replaced as the frontline nightfighter for the US Air Force by the North American F-82F/G Twin Mustangs beginning in 1948. The last F-61 Black Widow was officially retired from service in 1952 and did not participate in the Korean War.
Info from
http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=78So, so sum things up, I think, and im sure others in the Aces High community beleive that this would be a very adequate addition to the aces high family of aircraft, as the only true Heavy fighters we have in this game are the Bf110 G2, and the P38 series. Email me with questions or comments dcwdavid@yahoo.com
