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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.
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