P-61 Black Widow

[vulgarvulture]

I'm finally getting around to working on a 1:48 P-61 model and doing a bit of research. There are only 4 surviving P-61s. 3 are static display, and the forth is being restored to flying condition:

http://www.maam.org/p61.html

We've talked on the forum in the past about whether or not warbirds should be flown. Opinions vary.

Best of luck to MAAM with the restoration to flying condition. Would hate to see that bird go down if they ever get it to fly.

But, then again, the Chino flying wing is the only one around and that does not stop them from flying it at airshows. The CAF B-24 is only one of two that can fly; however, there are one heck of a lot more B-24s on static around the world.

The concept of flying rare birds makes me a bit nervous, though.

[Teamski]

I'm more than happy to see warbirds fly, however I'm less than happy to see them flying aerobatics. It all comes down to rarity. The P-61 should be a flypast only plane. P-51's on the other hand can go ahead and low level loop all day, hehehehe.....

I do agree with you on flying hazards. MANY rare aircraft have been lost, and a goodly number are irreplacable. Let's see, what airplanes have been lost and that loss is almost incalculable? (destroyed unless otherwise noted):

P-38 at Duxford
Mosquito in Scotland
Firefly in the UK
B-26 in Texas
B-17 in France
Hurricane in Canada (hanger fire)
ME-109G (now static w/ BF-109E aft fuselage)
Dewiotine 520
F-82 (restored??)
Helldiver (restored??)
Boeing Stratoliner (ditched, one of the rarest planes in the world!)
B-29 in Greenland

This is off of the top of my head. I am still recovering from the C-5 we lost here at Dover. I know that particular plane rather well.

-Ski

[KWR190]

Also HE111 from CAF
Kurt

[Teamski]

...........Needless to say, that P-61 recovery is amazing!!

-Ski