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Description
| Manufacturer: | Northrop |
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| Base model: | P-61 | ||
| Designation: | P-61 | ||
| Version: | C | ||
| Nickname: | Black Widow | ||
| Designation System: | U.S. Air Force | ||
| Designation Period: | 1925-1947 | ||
| Basic role: | Pursuit | ||
Specifications
| Length: | 49' 7" | 15.1 m | |
| Height: | 14' 8" | 4.4 m | |
| Wingspan: | 66' | 20.1 m | |
| Gross Weight: | 35,853 lb | 16,260 kg | |
| Max Weight: | 35,855 lb | 16,260 kg | |
Propulsion
| No. of Engines: | 2 | ||
| Powerplant: | Pratt & Whitney R-2800-73 | ||
| Horsepower (each): | 2100 | ||
Performance
| Range: | 1,200 miles | 1,932 km | |
| Cruise Speed: | 275 mph | 442 km/h | 238 kt |
| Max Speed: | 425 mph | 684 km/h | 369 kt |
| Ceiling: | 46,200 ft | 14,081 m | |
Known serial numbers
Examples of this type may be found at
| Museum | City | State |
| United States Air Force Museum | Wright-Patterson | Ohio |
P-61C on display
United States Air Force Museum |
Recent comments by our visitors
| Aaron F. Robinson Wilmington, NC | The P-61C was the last production version of the Northrop night fighter, entering service in 1945. A total of 500 P-61C were ordered for the USAAF, but only 41 were delivered by the end of the war, and none saw action. 10/09/2008 @ 12:12 [ref: 22813] |
| majessah wallace camden, DE | hi i have to do a project on the black widow plane an i need to know some pilots that flew that plane...so could let me know as soon as possible...thank you an have a nice day 05/07/2008 @ 06:02 [ref: 20818] |
| DAVID HAUCK COLUMBUS, OH | CAN ANYONE PLEASE TELL ME ANYTHING ABOUT MY DAD, LT. THOMAS OTTO HAUCK, WHO WAS FROM DONORA, PENNSYLVANIA, STATIONED IN THE PHILLIPINES IN '44 & '45 AND WAS PART OF A P61 AIRCREW. HE DIED IN '67 WITHOUT EVER SPEAKING TO ME ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCES. I AM HIS OLDEST SON, DAVID. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
07/31/2007 @ 11:32 [ref: 17384] |
| James Martin wagga wagga, OTH | Hi to all. I have just bought a p61 black wldow nitro powerd r/c model aeroplane.I just woundering if someone could seand me photos and info on it. so I can prosent it for a WW2 Anzac day display. Thank You much appreciate James Martin. 05/20/2007 @ 00:21 [ref: 16532] |
| Jeff Mcallister Santa Barbara, CA | In the early 60's my dad would pick me up from my Moms and we would head to the airport to check out the planes. One day he took me to a new area and introduced me to a friend of his and his plane which was a Black P-61 equipped for fire fighting. I got to climb through that thing like my own playground hitting switches, playing pilot and crawling through all of it, WOW! What a memory. The plane and pilot crashed a few days later in the Coyote fire, both were lost. He came in low through the smoke and hit a tree, what a loss! But the memory is as clear today as it was then. I always thought that is why I loved planes but later learned that my great grandfathers built there own planes here in Santa Barbara, and one was Lindbergh's mechanic when he flew in. Thanks for the great site and is great to read about others experience. Jeff 11/19/2006 @ 20:20 [ref: 14787] |
| Bill Rambow Laurel, MD | All of you P-61 enthusiasts - please stop by the "Widow's Web' http://www.maam.org/p61.html You will find the complete, up-to-date story of the ongoing P-61 Recovery and Restoration Project of the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum, Reading, PA. I have posted the most recent photos and will continue to do so.
We desperately need the help of anyone who wants to see the Black Widow take to the skies once again. If we can raise the needed money - about another 1.2 million - that could be as soon as 2008. You can help by stopping by our new MAAM On-line Store to make a donation, or buy some merchandise. Either (or both ;-) will bring that day a little closer. Thanks Bill Rambow MAAM Webmaster 11/07/2006 @ 15:34 11/13/2006 @ 17:09 [ref: 14732] |
| Craig A , SD | The listed horsepower rating is incorrect for the P-61C the turbocharger boosted it to a little over 2800 HP, if memory serves it was 2837 HP. What a wonderful airplane, it is unfortunate that there are no flying examples in existance today. The military opted for the twin mustang, over the P-61, I am not convinced it (mustang) was a better choice. 10/25/2005 @ 14:29 [ref: 11567] |
| Craig A , SD | The listed horsepower rating is incorrect for the P-61C the turbocharger boosted it to a little over 2800 HP, if memory serves it was 2837 HP. What a wonderful airplane, it is unfortunate that there are no flying examples in existance today. The military opted for the twin mustang, over the P-61, I am not convinced it (mustang) was a better choice. 10/25/2005 @ 14:28 [ref: 11566] |
| Allen E Michler Mattawa, WA | I stopped at the museum to see the Black Widow and was sorely dissapointed. It is in a dark corner and painted black which really makes seeing any details impossible. Perhaps if the staff reads this they could see about improving the lighting or moving it to where it can be easily seen. 06/08/2005 @ 09:56 [ref: 10431] |
| John Robertson Vancouver, BC | You might want to check into the possibility of there being one or two P-61's in the Dominican Republic.
I was a scholarship student in the medical school at the Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo in 1962-1963 and remember an Air Force pilot officer talking about "La Viuda Negra"which is a Black Widow amongst the aircraft that the dead dictator Rafael Trujillo had in his Air Force. He had de Havilland Vampires"Vampiros" in Spanish.At least one B-29 and a number of Mustangs as well as an aglomeration of other aircraft so a P-61 wouldn't surprise me. The Dominicans have a tendency to just leave non flying air frames out behind hangars so it might be a plan to have a look. Good hunting ! 05/02/2005 @ 22:22 [ref: 10096] |
Recent photos uploaded by our visitors
