P-61C?

[plan_D]

Attached is an image of a P-61 'Black Widow', which I believe to be a P-61C, taken at some time in 1945. It's serial code is #25501. I would like to know;

A) Is it a P-61C?
B) Anything else about the aircraft in the picture.
C) Where the picture was taken.
D) When, precisely, the picture was taken.

I know that's asking a bit, but the information would be greatly appreciated.

[syscom3]

If you look at the nose, the radome hasnt been painted. I think the AAf was having trouble finding a paint that would stick to the plastic radome without melting it or flaking off.

Picture was taken in 1944?

Picture location was Southern california, probably Los Angeles area.

[evangilder]

It's not a P-61C. The correct serial number based on the fuselage would be 42-5501.This is a Northrop P-61A-1-NO Black Widow. It's disposition is: condemned accident not combat Luzon, PI May 3, 1945. Considering the serial is issued as a 1942 serial, the picture could have been taken any time between 1942 and May 3, 1945. But I am guessing it was in the PI well before May of 1945.

[FLYBOYJ]

It looks like it's over So Cal...

[Wurger]

As I remember P-61C had mounted air-breakers on both upper and lower surface of wings.Besides, forty one P-61Cs were produced.Their serials were 43-8321 to 43-8361.Looking at the pic I am not convinced of its serial.The last digit could be seven.If yes the plane would be serving in 419 NFS.

[Wurger]

I've gone through some sites about P-61 and on the one I've found the same shot with a description below that the aircraft was P-61A-1 from 419th Night Fighter Squadron, this plane was lost over South Pacific on 1945-04-10.
The link is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-61_Black_Widow
Next I've got an other link where was a larger high quality pic.In the one the serial is visible clearly and it can be stated that the last digit is "7".
The link: http://www.af.mil/photos/index.asp?galleryID=161&page=5
I have some shots of 419NFS P-61s in my archive.There is a pic of 42-5507 among them.The P-61A was based at Puerto Princesa on Palawan in 1944.Aditionally I've got info that all P-61A of 419th NFS were delivered in the early Olive Drab over Natural Grey camouflage with clear plexiglas radomes overpainted withe a light coat of translucent paint on the inside of the dome.
There are two pics of the P-61A of 419th NFS,the first is 42-5507 the second is 42-5508.
source unknown:

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Wow good find there Eric. Where do you get your info from besides typing in the serial number in google.

[Wurger]

Eric ?

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Yes Even is Eric.

[evangilder]

I have a serial number database connection that can link up with any serial number that the US had. Mine is from the official source. I was thinking the last digit might be a 7 also. If that is the case, the type is the same, Northrop P-61A-1-NO Black Widow. It is possible that a number was transposed in either the record, or in Wurger's info, but the records state it was in the 418th NFS, not the 419th. But numbers transposed is not unusual. If it is 42-5507, then MACR 13784 would cover it.

You can go here to request a MACR for a nominal fee:
http://www.accident-report.com/macr.html

[Wurger]

Sorry Evangilder and DerAdlerIstGelandet for my ignorance.

[Wurger]

There is an enlarged part of the pic with the serial.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Wurger there was no ignorance on your part, no need to apologize.

And Eric damn you lucky ******* where do you get a source like that?

[Wurger]

O.K.

[plan_D]

Excellent. Thanks guys !