Northrop P-61B Black Widow

The Northrop P-61B was the main production version of the Black Widow night-fighter, with 450 being produced. Early production P-61Bs were very similar to late production P-61As, but with an eight inch long extension to the nose to allow the aircraft to carry the improved SCR-720C airborne radar set.

Minor changes included the addition of 'night binoculars', improved crew heating, built-in fire extinguishers on the engine nacelles, a modified cover for the main landing gear doors. The first 200 aircraft were produced without the gun turret, but with all of the wiring and fittings in place to allow them to be installed at a later date. The final 250 aircraft were built with the turret already in place, although in combat the turret was often locked in the forward position.

The first production P-61Bs were completed in July 1944. During the production run a number of further changes were made. The number of under-wing pylons was double from two to four, allowing the aircraft to carry up to four 1,000lb bombs (although the full bomb-load was rarely carried). The P-61B-10 saw the introduction of APS-13 tail warning radar. Dash 15 marked the return of the turret. Dash 20 saw the original turret replaced by a GE Type A-7 turret. Finally seven P-16B-25s were built to test the Western Electric APG-1 Gun Laying Radar and GE remote controlled dorsal turret.

Engine: Two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-65 radial engines
Power: 2,250hp each
Crew: 3 (with turret), 2 (without turret)
Wing span: 66ft
Length: 49ft 6in
Height: 14ft 8in
Empty Weight: 27,000lb
Maximum Weight: 38,000lb
Max Speed: 366mph
Cruising Speed:
Service Ceiling: 33,100ft
Range: 1,010 miles
Armament: Four 20mm cannon, plus four .50in machine guns if turret included
Bomb-load:

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How to cite this article: Rickard, J (30 June 2009), Northrop P-61B Black Widow , http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_northrop_P-61B.html

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