Classic Combat Aircraft     |   home
                                                  
Northrup P-61 Black Widow
The P-61 has the honor of being the first US aircraft to be designed as a "night fighter". Having two engines and twin booms like the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, the Black Widow was massive for a fighter. Despite early problems with its radar, the P-61 proved to be a very versatile and effective weapon. It kept peace over our bases in both the Pacific and European theaters at dark when you never knew what went bump in the night.
A photographic reconnaissance version was also created, and was known as the F-15 Reporter.


Type:           night fighter
Crew:            3  ( But sometimes just the pilot and radar operator were the crew)
Armament:     four 20mm cannon,
                          four .50 cal machine guns in optional dorsal turret on top of aircraft

Specifications:
        Length:         49' 7"             (15.11 m)
        Height:         14' 8"              (4.47 m)
        Wingspan:       66'               (20.12 m)
        Max Weight:     35855 lbs   (16260 kg)


Propulsion:
        Engines: 2
        Powerplant:     Pratt & Whitney R-2800
        2100 hp each

Performance:
        Range:          1200 miles           (1932 km)
        Speed:      425 mph            (684 km/hr)
        Ceiling:        46200 ft                   (14081 m)

Click here for more P-61 pictures.