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Description
| Manufacturer: | Northrop | |
| Base model: | P-61 | |
| Designation: | P-61 | |
| Version: | A | |
| Nickname: | Black Widow | |
| Designation System: | U.S. Air Force | |
| Designation Period: | 1925-1947 | |
| Basic role: | Pursuit | |
Specifications
| Length: | 48' 10" | 14.8 m | |
| Height: | 14' 2" | 4.3 m | |
| Wingspan: | 66' | 20.1 m | |
| Wingarea: | 664.0 sq ft | 61.6 sq m | |
| Empty Weight: | 22,000 lb | 9,977 kg | |
| Gross Weight: | 29,700 lb | 13,469 kg | |
Propulsion
| No. of Engines: | 2 | ||
| Powerplant: | Pratt & Whitney R-2800-65 | ||
| Horsepower (each): | 2000 | ||
Performance
| Range: | 1,210 miles | 1,948 km | |
| Max Speed: | 372 mph | 599 km/h | 323 kt |
| Ceiling: | 34,000 ft | 10,363 m | |
Known serial numbers
Recent comments by our visitors
| Johnny Palm Bay, FL | Since my first posting on this site page(sorry for the second repost) I have been able to find the emblem colors for the 547th Night Fighter Squadron which the first posting was about ,so anyone seeing the earlier post, please note that I now do have the colors and no longer searching for them .
11/02/2010 @ 19:51 [ref: 32965] |
| Kenneth Smith Belleview, FL | SCR-720 Radar was also used in the Grumman F7F-3N Tigercat. I served in Marine Night Fighters from 1946 to 1952 as a Radar Intercept Operator (back seater) in the F7F-3N and operated the equipment there. The F7F-2N had a different radar. APS-6
We trained in the P-61 Black Widow because it had SCR-720 and enough room in the back of the fuselage for a student and instructor. I don't know if there is any existing SCR-720 today, but I do know that it was a very fine instrument in the F7F-3N. 05/07/2008 @ 18:43 [ref: 20826] |
| Alan Taylor Saint Cloud, FL | I work in Kissimmee for the fire department. we go to kissimmee airport all the time for training. I do know that Kissimmee Airport was the home for the P40 Warhawks. There is still an old bunker that they used for calibration sighting on the P40s. If you get permission you can go there and dig up old 50 cal bullets. After WWII the base was used for the P61 Black Widows. Ther was only a few stationed here. If you want more info on the Black Widows, do a search for TOM RILEY in douglas Ga. He restored WWII aircraft here until Hurricane Charlie destroyed Millions of dollars of his aircraft. He since moved to Douglas GA to restore his planes. He might know more info about the P61s. 04/15/2008 @ 19:15 [ref: 20560] |
| Joe Termini , IN | Does anyone have a picture of a P-61 scope? I understand there was an "A" and "B" scope. I have a piece of equipment purchased by my dad after WWII that was found in his box of aircraft stuff. I would like to compare. Any info is appreciated.
Thanks, Joe 02/29/2008 @ 14:33 [ref: 19817] |
| Johnny Signor Palm Bay, FL | Hello fellow P-61 fans,I'm trying to find COLORS for the 547th Night Fighter Squadron,not the Reunion patch,I need the one of cartoon spider w/various weapons one in each hand/foot all on a ringed disc,I assume this to be a 547th design but so far many years of mailing phone calls etc has porduced Zilch on this one,First person out there to get the colors verified to me gets a FREE leather unit patch of this emblem from me! Contact me at..........
WeBeEmblems@aol.com or (321) 724-1246 noon-11pm eastern/weekdays 01/11/2008 @ 16:46 [ref: 19258] |
| Johnny Signor Palm Bay, FL | Hello fellow P-61 fans,I'm trying to find COLORS for the 547th Night Fighter Squadron,not the Reunion patch,I need the one of cartoon spider w/various weapons one in each hand/foot all on a ringed disc,I assume this to be a 547th design but so far many years of mailing phone calls etc has porduced Zilch on this one,First person out there to get the colors verified to me gets a FREE leather unit patch of this emblem from me! Contact me at..........
WeBeEmblems@aol.com or (321) 724-1246 noon-11pm eastern/weekdays 01/11/2008 @ 16:45 [ref: 19257] |
| Cameron Gause Orange County, CA | Re:Brian Mann
, BC Can anyone supply information on the SCR720 radar fitted to the P61. Have any sets survived in museums. Also which other aircraft used the SCR 720 radar. Found this info from:(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-61_Black_Widow) About the SCR-720 Radar SCR-720 radar The production model of the SCR-720A mounted a scanning radio transmitter in the aircraft nose; in Airborne Intercept mode, it was capable of a range of nearly five miles. The unit could also function as an airborne beacon/homing device, navigational aid, or in concert with interrogator-responder IFF units. The XP-61's radar operator located targets on his scope and steered the unit to track them, vectoring and steering the pilot to the radar target via oral instruction and correction. Once within range, the pilot used a smaller scope integrated into the main instrument panel to track and close on the target. I know that the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum's restoration has a SCR-720A radar set. Regarding other aircraft using the SCR-720A Radar Set: the P-82C Twin Mustang, the P-70B-2 used the SCR-720A radar and SCR-729; and an advanced development of the F-86 Sabre called the F-86C/YF-93. You can read more about these aircraft on Wikipedia. 12/10/2007 @ 16:45 [ref: 18871] |
| Jeff Kolln Yelm, WA | There was a YP-61 with "Black Widow" written on the side??
Jeff Blkwidw421@aol.com 11/09/2007 @ 16:33 [ref: 18483] |
| Jeff Kolln Yelm, WA | I am working hard to finish up my P-61 book for Specialty Press. Still looking for a few photos of planes I know existed, but do not have a photo. If you have a good photo of any of these please let me know.
416th: Georgia Gal 418th: Moonbeam McSwine, Nosy Nighthawk 419th: Night Vision 421st: Stepping Out Tonight, Ruthless Ruthie 422nd: The Dauntless Texan 426th: Harlot From Charlotte, Fasinating Witch 427th: Exie 547th: You Are Screwed, Pandoras Box 548th: Charwoman, Mississippi Nightmare, Late Date 550th: Moonlight Saranade, Kee Kee Bird Any help would be appreciated. Contact Jeff 11/09/2007 @ 16:29 [ref: 18482] |
| olin williams glendale , az/kissimmee, fl, AZ | hi nice site on a great plane. I have recently discovered that an old army base in Kissimmee, florida was a training base for the secret night flyer. I am hoping there is someone with first hand knowledge or pics. Also if anyone knows the name of the base in Kissimmee. It was a great playground in the 50s for us local kids. thanks for any info . willfindall@hotmail.com 10/31/2007 @ 11:21 [ref: 18362] |
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