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General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: twitchy on November 13, 2009, 09:11:10 PM

Title: P-61 Black Widow is Going To Fly Again
Post by: twitchy on November 13, 2009, 09:11:10 PM
There was only 3 of them left in the world, but now one of them, after spending about 2 million bucks on it, will be airborne again... Was the first model I ever bought as a kid and put together, always had a soft spot for it.
http://www.maam.org/p61/p61_pr_0506.htm
-Twitchy
Title: Re: P-61 Black Widow is Going To Fly Again
Post by: Fencer51 on November 13, 2009, 09:21:46 PM
4 Left actually.

One in China, one at the USAFM and one at NASM.  Besides the one in the article.
Title: Re: P-61 Black Widow is Going To Fly Again
Post by: Karnak on November 13, 2009, 09:33:46 PM
Very nice.  That should be a grand sight to see.  :aok
Title: Re: P-61 Black Widow is Going To Fly Again
Post by: Yeager on November 13, 2009, 09:59:47 PM
Truly one of the most Gorgeous airframes ever designed, even makes the P-38 look inferior, albeit slightly  :devil
Title: Re: P-61 Black Widow is Going To Fly Again
Post by: CAP1 on November 13, 2009, 10:37:05 PM
Quote from: twitchy on November 13, 2009, 09:11:10 PM
There was only 3 of them left in the world, but now one of them, after spending about 2 million bucks on it, will be airborne again... Was the first model I ever bought as a kid and put together, always had a soft spot for it.
http://www.maam.org/p61/p61_pr_0506.htm
-Twitchy

i saw that one at the reading air show a couple of years ago. even in its incomplete condition, it is beautiful. those guns were scary/fun looking too.
Title: Re: P-61 Black Widow is Going To Fly Again
Post by: WMLute on November 13, 2009, 11:00:33 PM
That is indeed a gorgeous plane.

Recently checked the one out in Dayton.
Title: Re: P-61 Black Widow is Going To Fly Again
Post by: oakranger on November 14, 2009, 12:21:23 AM
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL BIRD.
Title: Re: P-61 Black Widow is Going To Fly Again
Post by: Chalenge on November 14, 2009, 12:34:19 AM
In China the B-29s were having trouble from the Japanese that were flying in at night and strafing the bombers on the ground. The P-61s were fairly new to the area and continued to have great difficulty in finding and engaging the enemy as the attacked the B-29 field. Then one night the Japanese attacked the Black Widows on the ground and the night fighters launched and shot dow a few attackers.

The next morning General LeMay flew down to inspect the damage to the Black Widows and their field and to congratulate the pilots that had scored victories. The pilots were grinning and the commander too as LeMay climbed back on his plane to return home when he stopped to say one more thing.

"Now that I see you can get the job done you will get the job done when my bombers are attacked or you will be relieved."

They got the job done from that point on.  :bolt:
Title: Re: P-61 Black Widow is Going To Fly Again
Post by: The Fugitive on November 14, 2009, 09:08:10 AM
Quote from: CAP1 on November 13, 2009, 10:37:05 PM
i saw that one at the reading air show a couple of years ago. even in its incomplete condition, it is beautiful. those guns were scary/fun looking too.


ahhhh silly boy, that is the one in Reading. Maam stands for Mid-Atlantic Air Museum, its where they hold the WWII weekend every year. I've been a bunch of times and have seen this thing go together slowly but surely over the years. A friend of mine is a member and keeps us up to date as well as getting us in to take a peak at it. It's still got a long way to go, but I hope it gets there some day.
Title: Re: P-61 Black Widow is Going To Fly Again
Post by: waystin2 on November 14, 2009, 09:16:39 AM
Man those fellows have done some serious work.  I look forward to the complete restoration of this awesome bird.
Title: Re: P-61 Black Widow is Going To Fly Again
Post by: soda72 on November 14, 2009, 09:30:48 AM
What's the story behind how it crashed in the jungle?
Title: Re: P-61 Black Widow is Going To Fly Again
Post by: toonces3 on November 14, 2009, 09:52:31 AM
That was one of the first models I had when I was a kid too.

Cool plane.  And what kid doesn't groove on a plane called a "Black Widow"?
Title: Re: P-61 Black Widow is Going To Fly Again
Post by: DREDIOCK on November 14, 2009, 10:20:16 AM
Always wondered about these aircraft restorations. Particularly of aircraft in as rough a shape as this one was.

By the time they are done. How much of the aircraft is of the "original" parts?

Always loved this plane and wanted it in game for a new main ride
Title: Re: P-61 Black Widow is Going To Fly Again
Post by: Strip on November 14, 2009, 10:41:00 AM
I have wondered that to at times....

I know some the original gauges, gunsights, and other little gizmos are often harder to find than the airframes themselves.

Strip
Title: Re: P-61 Black Widow is Going To Fly Again
Post by: mbailey on November 14, 2009, 11:56:33 AM
Im fortunate enough to live about 1/2 hr from the MAAM where the restoration is on going. She is coming together nicely. I saw her this year at the WWII weekend where i was given the opportunity to volunteer on the flightline for the airshow. While I wasnt able to due to pneumonia, I did get the chance to check out the restoration of it.Its an amazing thing that they are doing getting this beautiful girl back to her state of glory. Once completed she will be the only flying example of a P61.
Some history on it:

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/p-61/42-39445/restore.html

http://www.maam.org/p61/p61_begin.htm

http://www.maam.org/p61/p61_recovery.htm

Title: Re: P-61 Black Widow is Going To Fly Again
Post by: smedddd on November 14, 2009, 12:17:16 PM
Not a thread hijack, just thought I'd chuck this pic from the Smithsonian up here.
(http://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt322/LTARjink/DSC_0182.jpg)

<S>, LTARjink