Northrop P-61 Restoration

[twoeagles]

If you are interested in the P-61, check this museum site
now and then for updates on the progress of what will become
the world's only flying P-61:

PRESS RELEASE

[Wildcat]

Looking good. Will be an impressive site once she's back in the air.

[billrambow]

Thanks for posting that PR, TwoEagles. I'm the webmaster at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum (among other things and have recently posted some new shots of the ongoing restoration. Check them out, and be sure to hit your refresh button... The Widows Web - Restoration

We have also just opened up a new MAAM On-Line Store If you would like to help get this wonderful aircraft back in the sky, please drop by the store and drop a tax-deductible donation in the kitty.

Thanks very much.

Bill Rambow
MAAM Webmaster
WELCOME TO THE MID-ATLANTIC AIR MUSEUM

[syscom3]

As much as I love to see these warbirds fly again, I have mixed feelings seeing "one of a kind" planes be put into a situation where they could be lost for all time.

These are historic treasures and should stay on the ground. (Sad to say)

[twoeagles]

While I generally agree with syscom3, vast sums of money being spent on
restorations and preservation come from deep pockets who want to
fly a rare bird. Many have been saved by those cowboys. I was guilty once.
But I would never risk flying the last one of anything...

[uhhuh35]

Well, I disagree.
I grew up in California and went to numerous airshows including Chino, Reno and Mojave air races.
I now live on the east coast and have visited the Smithsonian and Udvar-Hazy museums. Ho-hum.
It IS great to see historic aircraft, but the ones in museums are collecting dust. And although the Smithsonian has numerous 100% accurate and authentic examples of planes, they will never fly again.
There is nothing better than being at the tower at Chino while all the warbirds fly-by! NOTHING! The sound the fury the EXCITEMENT! The pinacle is Reno.
I thank all those people who put their money and time into keeping these planes flyable for our enjoyment. Don't we all kind of live vicariously through them? I know I do.

Its kind of like the difference between SEX and DIRTY PICTURES!

[Erich]

sorry but if this is the only P-61 available to us and the vets keep it out and put it back in a very well protected area. Save it for future generations and do not make it flyable, can you imagine all that expense and hard work destroyed in one silly mishap ? I've seen it before and yes the Chino air shows have been outstanding in years past, besides many others

[syscom3]

I keep remembering the CAF's A20 crash some years ago.

The only flyable A20 in the world, now gone.

[twoeagles]

In the last 30 years I have lost 6 good friends to accidents in warbirds, and
all of them were better pilots than me. I have had some close calls and
while I still get maximum charge from a big engine, it is always with
trepidation. We need to keep warbirds in the air for today and tomorrow,
but when we are talking something very rare, historic, one-of-a-kind, it needs
to stay on the ground. Fast taxi for the crowd and make noise!

BTW syscom3, a Havoc just came out of a small museum in Colorado and
it will be airworthy again, which is that same double edged sword replayed!

[Erich]

geez you might see my point . . . . .

my uncle a retired Lt. Colonel in the US AF killed while flying his WW 1 Camel, yeah restore those old clunkers and get them flying .............crap

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I have mixed feelings about them. I love to see them fly again but at the same time if we are not carefull there will be none left.

If it is the only example then I agree it should not fly.

[twoeagles]

The happy news is that the NASM is nearing completion of their restoration
of a P-61. And that baby ain't going anywhere but under soft lights
and air conditioning.

correction - is now on display as of may '06:

Image Detail - Northrop P-61C Black Widow