P-61B restoration. MAAM (mid atlantic air musuem)

[bolillo_loco]

I live twenty-five miles west of where the restoration is taking place, but sadly this is all I can contribute.

Once you figure out the web site, there is a plethora of photos.

This is the home page WELCOME TO THE MID-ATLANTIC AIR MUSEUM

This is a direct link to the P-61 MAAM's P-61 Recovery and Restoration Project - The Widow's Web

[syscom3]

Thanks bolilio.

Good find.

[billrambow]

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

A little clarification - there is no test flight scheduled for 2008 or any other specific date. That's because completion of this incredible effort depends entirely on raising the money needed to fund it. We are still short over a million dollars to make the dream a reality. IF - and it's a big if - we have the money, it is possible that the P-61B will fly as early as 2008.

It has always been our intention to fly this plane. We are a flying museum. That's what we do. As has been said, if you want to see a Black Widow on static display you can do so at the USAF Museum, and as of this year, also at the Udvar-Hazy Center of NASM. Philosophical questions aside, we really need help to bring the Black Widow project to fruition.

We have just opened up a new MAAM On-Line Store. If you would like to help get this wonderful aircraft back in the sky, please stop by the store and drop a tax-deductible donation in the kitty. While you are there, consider doing some shopping - Christmas is around the corner. Unlike other aviation outlets, the profits all go to help restore our planes. So you can get some goodies and give The P-61 Recovery & Restoration Team a hand at the same time.

Speaking of Christmas gifts, World War II Weekend tickets are on sale at the On-Line Store for the first time, ever. If you order them now, you will beat any 2007 price increase. You can also pick up Aircraft Ride Gift Certificates for our SNJ-4 Texan or N2S Stearman.

Thanks very much.

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

[sniper34]

I remember visiting the MAAM when it was very small with few planes, just some Neptunes out side. Had to be 20 yrs ago or so. Well , I had just read about a P-61 being found in the jungle. It was overgrown and still had all the equiptment at the time of the crash. It seems it didn't pull up fast enough and hit the surroundig hillside flat. It was after the war and was left there to rot. At the museum I was walking outside and noticed crates with P-61 and the contents written on them. Seems that those pieces were the P-61 taken off the mountain! I thought it a strange coinsidence. But I'm glad to see that it is finnaly getting restored after all this time. I had a similiar experience with the P-38 "Glacier Girl" in Kentucky, but that's a whole new story.

[grumman-cats]

curious if anyone has an update on the widow. Haven't read anything lately so I was wondering if were getting close to being finished or not.

[ToughOmbre]

Going there on WW II Weekend (June 7). Can't wait to see it. They are rare though (four examples in existance worldwide, the other three are static restorations) so I have mixed emotions on seeing it fly. Tough call.

TO

[grumman-cats]

Where are they all at. I know of the one at dayton and of course this one but where are the other two located.

[ToughOmbre]

One is at the National Air and Space Museum at the museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington D.C.

The other is on outside display at the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics in Beijing, China.

TO

[Thorlifter]

I agree with Syscom and Erich.

Besides the Corsair, this is my FAVORITE plane. I would be quite moved to see her fly. But I would be crushed to see it crash. Why take the chance?

[wilbur1]

The thing is thor...what was it built to do?.......i say say fly the baby like its meant to be.......

[grumman-cats]

Originally Posted by wilbur1

The thing is thor...what was it built to do?.......i say say fly the baby like its meant to be.......

HARD.... FAST...... & CLOSE IN....... "for the kill shot"

[evangilder]

Hell yeah!

[grumman-cats]

anyone have any recent photo's or updates on the restoration.

[vikingBerserker]

They have them posted on their website, last updated April 23, 2009:

MID-ATLANTIC AIR MUSEUM - THE WIDOWS WEB - P-61 - THE RESTORATION

[grumman-cats]

Let me refrase. Is there anyone close to the project to get a better update and time line on the restoration. This will be a hell of an aircraft to see in the air.
Also are there any rare german twins out there flying. I got to see the caf's he-111 beror it crashed but that's the only one.