    The Black Widow entered service in 1944, taking over
Night fighting duties from such stop-gap aircraft as the
P-70 and P-38M. The P-61B offered many improvements over
the earlier P-61A model. After the first 37 -A's were
built, the remote control dorsal turret was deleted due to
buffeting problems. This was re-introduced with the
P-61B-15. Also the nose was lengthened by eight inches
to give more room for the SCR-720 radar. Strengthened
wings were added to prevent wing "wrinkling" that happened
at high speeds or high G manuevers. Four wing racks were
stadardized to allow four drop tanks or four 1,600lb
bombs. 450 B models were built, making the B the most
numerous of the three P-61 models.The C was cancelled
after only 41 were built, with some having guns removed
and becoming F-15A "Reporter" recon aircraft. Due to the
added weight, the P-61B was slightly slower than its
earlier cousin.
                       Bill Race


    Northrop P-61B  "Black Widow"

    P-61B-15-NO

    Max speed 369mph
    Cruise    225mph
    Ceiling   33,100ft
    Range     610 miles
    Engines   two P&W R-2800-65 w/ 2,000hp
               2,250hp at war emergency power
    Armament  four 20mm cannons in ventral pack
              w/ 200rpg
              four .50 cal. mg in dorsal turret
              w/ 560rpg
              four 1,600lb bombs
              four 165 gal. drop tanks
    crew      3