Re: MAAM P-61 Black Widow Update
Thu Dec 24, 2009 9:23 am
viking73 wrote:Neat picture TAdan. Are those AJ Savage cowls & props in the foreground?
-Derek
I think they are spares for the museums P2V Neptune.
Re: MAAM P-61 Black Widow Update
Thu Dec 24, 2009 9:50 am
An exhibition run around the pylons solo... sure, why not. It would be pretty amazing.
Actually race? No way.
Actually race? No way.
Re: MAAM P-61 Black Widow Update
Thu Dec 24, 2009 9:57 am
Django wrote:An exhibition run around the pylons solo... sure, why not. It would be pretty amazing.
Actually race? No way.
I agree, Fifi did it right?
Re: MAAM P-61 Black Widow Update
Thu Dec 24, 2009 12:50 pm
viking73 wrote:Neat picture TAdan. Are those AJ Savage cowls & props in the foreground?
-Derek
They are in fact spare engines for our Lockheed P2V-7 Neptune - Wright Cyclone R3350-32W's to be exact. Horsepower rating of 3,500 each.
Greg
Re: MAAM P-61 Black Widow Update
Thu Dec 24, 2009 1:17 pm
I think it SHOULD go to Reno... f
....or the RR Heritage thingie.
....or the RR Heritage thingie.
Re: MAAM P-61 Black Widow Update
Fri Dec 25, 2009 2:45 am
warbird1 wrote:Does anybody else support seeing the P-61 compete at Reno? I'm just curious to know if there are other crazies around here.
Yeah baby! Eat my wake!!!!!
Re: MAAM P-61 Black Widow Update
Fri Dec 25, 2009 8:15 am
Will it be complete for the 2010 MAAM WW2 Show?
Re: MAAM P-61 Black Widow Update
Fri Dec 25, 2009 10:15 am
Jiggersfromsphilly wrote:Will it be complete for the 2010 MAAM WW2 Show?
From the MAAM website:
With the amount of work remaining to be accomplished (several years’ worth) and the variables involved, no completion date can be set at this time.
The P-61 project is worked on daily by a full-time professional restoration staff. When a completion date comes within a predictable timeframe, it will be promptly posted on this website.
Re: MAAM P-61 Black Widow Update
Fri Dec 25, 2009 2:41 pm
A talented Reno photographer from the late 60's /early 70's era named Ran Slaten wrote a two or three part fiction article for Sport Flying magazine back in about 1973 detailing the exploits of the "Phantom ..." Black Widow racer. In his storyline, if I recall correctly, the race modified (I believe with R-4360's) P-61 was secretly built up at its remote Northern California strip, then brought in on Sunday afternoon where it would join up with the racers coming down the chute for the championship race. It would, of course, win the race, do a victory roll, and then head off to its mystery base.
An enjoyable read.
A version of the story I always wanted to write was that Howard Hughes had a son, kept sheltered from the knowledge of the press. Howard disassembles his D-2/D-5/XP-73 project and moves it to a secret Arizona desert strip where the son is being raised. The November 1944 destruction of the prototype is faked (lightning hit the hangar on a clear desert night, ya right). The son grows up with the genius of his dad, but more of a bug for speed and racing. He redesigns the wing and puts the R-4360 technology his dad used on the XF-11 into the plane. He too invades the Reno Stead airspace every few years on Sunday in the all gloss black mystery plane and rules the Gold Unlimited race before booking off to horizons unknown.
An enjoyable read.
A version of the story I always wanted to write was that Howard Hughes had a son, kept sheltered from the knowledge of the press. Howard disassembles his D-2/D-5/XP-73 project and moves it to a secret Arizona desert strip where the son is being raised. The November 1944 destruction of the prototype is faked (lightning hit the hangar on a clear desert night, ya right). The son grows up with the genius of his dad, but more of a bug for speed and racing. He redesigns the wing and puts the R-4360 technology his dad used on the XF-11 into the plane. He too invades the Reno Stead airspace every few years on Sunday in the all gloss black mystery plane and rules the Gold Unlimited race before booking off to horizons unknown.