I found the shots I was thinking of in the book "The Northrop P61 Black Widow" by Gary Pape. The photo credit goes to "Bowers/Castle Graphics", I hope they don't mind the shameless theft of their photos...
Turns out the clear radome is on the YP-61 according to the caption
Here are a couple of shots showing the translucent radome just like in Martin's photo.
My theory, based on pure conjecture, is that they used Plexi, or acrylic, and frosted the insides for opacity. I also think several where painted white to try and cut down on the excessive temperature encountered in the South Pacific. I would bet that this is also why you see the noses covered with white parachutes in some photos. Imagine how hot it would have been inside the sun room of the radome. I would think that the excessive temperature and humidity would have played havoc with the electronics. Like I said it is pure speculation on my part as I have nothing to back it up with.
While at the Air Races this year I went to an auction near Minden, NV and I found this SCR-720 radar antenna which was used on the P-61 and the P-70. It looks almost new. The top of the dish is a bit tweaked but should straighten up. The best part was that it was a live internet auction and nobody bid on it so I got it for $17.50! It was a good day.
There is a stencil on the back that says it has been balanced at 360 RPM. 6 revolutions per second is a lot faster than I would have imagined. I hope to get it running as a display. Anyone have any other SCR-720 components, connectors or manuals available?
In our November meeting of the WWII Warbird Group at our museum here in Stockton our guest speaker will be Gene Whitt who was a WWII Radar tech. He is a wealth of information on WWII radar and modern day flying as he is flight instructor who has been teaching students to fly longer than most of us have been alive.
He has taken the time to put the contents of his magnificent brain on his web site. If you want to learn about WWII radar, Learning to fly or flight instructing check out his web site:
http://www.whittsflying.com/web/index.htm
Come to Stockton on November 19th and listen to an aviation legend talk about WWII radar.
_________________
To donate to the PV-2D project via PayPal click here
http://www.twinbeech.com/84062restoration.htmWe brought her from:
to this in 3 months:
Help us get her all the way back
All donations are tax deductible as the Stockton Field Aviation Museum is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Tell a friend as the Harpoon needs all the help she can get.
Thank you!
Taigh Ramey
Vintage Aircraft, Stockton, California
http://www.twinbeech.com'KEEP ‘EM FLYING…FOR HISTORY!'
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
