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Warbird Tech Series: Volume 15: Northrop P-61 Black Widow, by Warren E. Thompson.According to Warbird Tech, Northrop was contacted to build a "....night fighter that would be an effective defensive deterrent...." by the USAAC. No name yet
So that answers that.One of the 14 major problems with the YP-61 and listed as number one was, "Lack of sufficient gas supply for required lengthy night patrols."
How long were typical P-51 escort missions?Finding crews who could loiter for 8 hrs regularly and effectively would probably be a challenge.
Those figures don't look all that bad, that said...It all really depends on engine type, prop type, altitude, and aircraft weight.
Xp-61, 1465 miles at 200 mph at 10k alt. About 7 hours. R-2800-10 engine, Curtiss 12-22 prop.
P-61A, 2225 miles at 221 mph at 10k alt. About 10 hours. R-2800-65 engine, Curtiss 12-22 prop.
I think six hours at longest in Europe, I wasn't thinking of the flying but looking at a CRT for 8 hrs, it is hypnotic.How long were typical P-51 escort missions?
Didn't think of that. Good point.I think six hours at longest in Europe, I wasn't thinking of the flying but looking at a CRT for 8 hrs, it is hypnotic.
I used to do ultrasonics which is looking at a CRT and also looked at radiographs, if you do it continuously you start missing things.Didn't think of that. Good point.
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