P-61C?

[evangilder]

Good catch, Wurger, definitely a 7. Remember Chris, I volunteer at a WWII aviation museum! I have made some great contacts that way.

[Wurger]

Hi !!!
In the Polish publication "TBU" no.101 about P-61 I've found some info on the 419th NFS.
In May of 1944 the 6th NFS become the first unit on Pacific area equipped with P-61s.
At that time the squadron based on Hawaii.The 419th NFS and 421th NFS were armed with the armament at the same time almost simultaneously to the 6th one.An airfield of the 419th NFS was located on Guadalcanal.Unfortunately the Japanese Air Force didn't acted in the area because of its retreat from Salomon's islands.The squadron scored the first vitory on 5 October 1944.However,the P-61s of the 419th NFS proved their mattle after the unit had been moved to airfields on Morotai and Sansapor islands that were located closer to the front line.From October the 7th 1944 to February the 1st 1945 the crews of the squadron gained five victories.In the period the Japaneses carried out 82 flights using 179 aircrafts. Although the achievment of the unit hasn't seemed to be impressive but it was 20% of the general number of shot down enemies by the anti-aircraft defence.
Aditionally,taking the airfield location on Morotai into consideration it should be stated that the five victories were a success.

Besides, there is the Bertrand Thompkins' description of his flight at night on December 27/28th 1944.He was a pilot of the 419th Night Fighter Squqdron.
"...J took off my P-61 for a patrol at Mindoro area.About one and a half an hour later GCI directed me to a detected enemy flying six miles away from my position at 10 000 ft.I noticed him about 2000 feet away.When I came near at a distance of 150 ft I opened fire.Tony-Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien burst out and plummeted down into the sea.Some minutes later I was directed on South-West where a next target flew 20 miles away.My radar operator Vincent Wertin identified him from six miles and directed me behind its tail.Being 300 ft from the enemy plane I fired burst.The Tony also exploded..."

Another P-61A from the 419th NFS serial 42-5506 with a white number 311 at Henderson Field on Guadalcanal.It was the major Emerson Barker's aircraft.He was the commander of 419th NFS.
source unknow:

[evangilder]

Good find, Wurger!

[Erich]

the first phoot is of the P-61 over the states before it's transfer into a combat unit and the Pacific. note the nose without the traditional white three-digit letters, and then pulled off later due to overpainting in black/olive. P-61 squads practiced several painting methods and to paint over the protective radome, paint it white, paint it black -flat or glossy to match the fuselage paint, and in the rare incident it even was almost clear whatever fabric was being used to protect the overly sensitive AI, and it was overly sensitive I can assure you through chats with several P-61 veterans.

Also of note I have a very similiar pic of a Widow of the 421st flying over the same are in the background, it's red serial number on the boom being covered over for security reasons

[Wildcat]

Guys here is a pic I've had on my computer for ages of a P-61 at Morotai. Thought it would be of some interest.

[syscom3]

Wildcat, Morotai was one of the staging points for the invasion of Borneo .

[Wurger]

Originally Posted by Erich

the first phoot is of the P-61 over the states before it's transfer into a combat unit and the Pacific.

I've thought in the same way like you have Erich.Simply it was my first idea.But it is a bit strange especially if you look at its camo.The plane at the picture looks like being used for quite long time.Unless the olive drab paint was really poor quality.Looking at the P-61A no.313 we can see that the rain,heat,blowing sand and dust in the Pacific caused extrime weathering on aircrafts.
The Northrop had started producing the A-1 version in October of 1943 before flight tests of YP-61 were ended and the problem with the dorsal turret was revealed.Therefore,only 38 a/c of the first mounted P-61A-1s were equipped with the turret.Their serials were from 42-5485 to 42-5522.
So if it is true it means that the photo posted by Plan_D could be taken shortly before the P-61 was sent to the unit, in the period between October 1943 and May 1944 when the 419th NFS got them.It seems that the 419th squadron used P-61s with serials from the end of the series so it is possible that the pic could be taken at the beginning of 1944.

[Erich]

well the pic is over the states I can assure you there. I was a former assoc. member of the US night fighters assoc. before it's collaspse some years ago in October. Knew several noted pilots of the PTO during my friendship and have several microfische from ETO units which are quite enlightening.
PTO widows were commonly painted in the drab paint compared to the ETO black--gloss pattern for the dark nights above the Reich

[Wurger]

Hi !!!
Yes Erich, I entirely agree with you.I've only tried to define much more precisely when the pic could be taken because of the Plan_D's question.

regards