This is one bad ass plane. It's even impressive when it's not even moving. I saw this plane at the Wright Patterson Airforce Museum in Ohio 12 years ago and you do not forget it. It is great to see video's like this to see it actually fly. Thank you for posting this and THANK YOU for the men who flew her and her ground crew during World War 2. A great plane one of my personal favorites.
Sheeesh! That pre-flight was killer! That Piper Cherokee I use to fly didn't have one fouth the check list to go through...lol I'm amazed that these pilots weren't overwhelmed flying these beautiful birds let alone combating the enemy. And,to the poster,this video is just some awesome stuff!! Thank You for posting it.
My dad said he'd see guys just take off going almost straight up in these things. I built a model of one as a kid. Dad was an engine mechanic on B-24's and then B-29's. His team was given some engine speed change title I guess. Didn't surprise me trying to work with him as an insulator. lol. I've never seen a more efficient individual in his work.
@stingray666 No doubt about it. That was a time of promoted drinking & it was a rare pilot who didn't. Still, quite the number of different details the pilot had to bang through on his hungover/drunk checklist, knowing which were more important than others. One of my favorite airplanes, a most impressive piece of aircraft.
@AllSingingAllDancing That's why pilots get the nice, big checklists. It makes sure they don't forget (and gives the shorter ones something to sit on so they can see out of the windows).
If the trim tabs are in good working order set them for takeoff? What if their not in good working order? hope for the best ? lol, and this is where the term putt putt came from, sweet.
In tests in England in 1945, the P-61 Mosquito beat all the time, to measure yourself against the best pilot of a night fighter squadron. Tacked better and was faster. There is no doubt about who is who ate breakfast
@cobrachoppergirl Yeah...kids got to fly fighter planes, and bombers, and all that, but in exchange, they were shot down and killed or captured by the tens of thousands. It's not like they got the tool around the skies having fun in their cool machines all the time. WWII was bloody business. What was it, like 30,000 American boys died flying from UK airfields ALONE? Maybe you should rethink who it was that got the short end of the stick...
@Ripley44mag can anyone say 1939 twin engine fighter which was ineffective enough to need to be escorted by Bf109's, even though it was itself intended as an escort fighter. Bf110 was a completely different aircraft to the P-61, different generation, different mission specification, the comparison is a bit ridiculous. Now, if you said Me410, there would be a point.
@Ripley44mag Excuse me, but my grandfather was a lieutenant P-61 night fighter in WWII. He could've been a captain, but refused. He also played a part in inventing the night vision goggles. This "piece of crap" and my grandpa helped win the war. So I'd appreciate you not saying that this wonderful airplane is anything less than amazing. Thanks.
@AmberMo2011 Your grandfather is my hero he belong to the best generation this country have. they were brave young Man who gave it all to protect our nation from evil. thanks for the information about your granfather his name should be in every military book outthere.
The versions with the 4 x .50 cal turrets had lead angle sensors like an analog version of an M1A1 tank's fire control system (minus the range finder). I understand they good at off nose angle targets. Anyone know why these turrets were deleted in later models?
@AmberMo2011 "An obituary notice comes with every bite" sums up the Black Widow all too well. This aircraft was as fast as many single engine fighters in service at the time, was maneuverable as a fighter needed to be, was armed like a flying flak battery, was designed from the ground up to carry airborne intercept radar, had no vices in handling. I've studied military aviation for over 40 years: anyone who calls the P-61 Black Widow a "piece of crap" hasn't got a freakin' clue.
@Ripley44mag I wouldn't call the P-61 crap. I'd agree that with a better firepower, higher service ceiling, faster top speed, the Bf-110 "could" be better. The black widow was more maneuverable though.
Germany had far superior equipment than the allies & the only reason America beat Germany in World War II in the way that it did, was because German was over powered & out numbered & spread too thin by having to fight the the Russians AND the Americans on 2 fronts at the same time.
thank you airboyd, for posting this, it brings back memories. My grandfather and I used to build model planes together, and One that I always loved was My model of the P-61 Black widow. My grandfather died in 1991 but, is not forgotten. He has also a part of the Air core, before there was an army. He was a great Man, to the very end. Thank you again airboyd.
our little friends the p61 wasnt a p51 but there was no joke about the black widow,myhats off to the crew of the p-61,id realy like to restore 1,or even see one,
@MasonZstudios There aren't *any* flying today, though there is a long-term project to restore one to flying status. Only four P-61s are known to have survived at all. Compared to other World War II fighters, which were often built in the thousands or tens of thousands, relatively few P-61s were built (around 700), and they were only in service for a few years before being replaced by jets, so this is to be expected.
And I thought my '72 Pinto was hard to get going.
panhead1219 2 weeks ago
@panhead1219 Your Pinto didn't have a pair of engines that could drive it through the air at over 350 mph... >;D
Kagetora2010 3 days ago
This is one bad ass plane. It's even impressive when it's not even moving. I saw this plane at the Wright Patterson Airforce Museum in Ohio 12 years ago and you do not forget it. It is great to see video's like this to see it actually fly. Thank you for posting this and THANK YOU for the men who flew her and her ground crew during World War 2. A great plane one of my personal favorites.
brisco42 2 weeks ago
Thanks for the upload, its my favorite ww2 ac
HomeMadeCnc 1 month ago
It's amazing how much has changed... You would never hear "Climbs like a monkey" today...
seanypatpatterson 1 month ago
My brain hurts.
currawongee1 2 months ago
Sheeesh! That pre-flight was killer! That Piper Cherokee I use to fly didn't have one fouth the check list to go through...lol I'm amazed that these pilots weren't overwhelmed flying these beautiful birds let alone combating the enemy. And,to the poster,this video is just some awesome stuff!! Thank You for posting it.
da959 2 months ago
My dad said he'd see guys just take off going almost straight up in these things. I built a model of one as a kid. Dad was an engine mechanic on B-24's and then B-29's. His team was given some engine speed change title I guess. Didn't surprise me trying to work with him as an insulator. lol. I've never seen a more efficient individual in his work.
sounddoctorin 3 months ago
Did anybody else fall asleep half way through?
FSMonster 3 months ago
well at least it was simple to fly!
cybermarsactual 3 months ago
now do this at night when your plane is shot full of holes, youre bleeding and the enemy is not yet finished with you.
frightening stuff.
TheDarwiniser 3 months ago
I'm sure this entire process and checklist was at one point done while being slightly intoxicated.
stingray666 4 months ago
@stingray666 No doubt about it. That was a time of promoted drinking & it was a rare pilot who didn't. Still, quite the number of different details the pilot had to bang through on his hungover/drunk checklist, knowing which were more important than others. One of my favorite airplanes, a most impressive piece of aircraft.
kolbpilot 3 months ago
Awesome airplane, but HOLY COW these instructions are complicated. New respect for folks who flew these at the end of the war!
AllSingingAllDancing 6 months ago
@AllSingingAllDancing That's why pilots get the nice, big checklists. It makes sure they don't forget (and gives the shorter ones something to sit on so they can see out of the windows).
zerstorer335 6 months ago
the first actual stealth
so stfu
armaddajam 7 months ago
If the trim tabs are in good working order set them for takeoff? What if their not in good working order? hope for the best ? lol, and this is where the term putt putt came from, sweet.
siral000 8 months ago
@siral000 What terms are you fag get with the program
armaddajam 7 months ago
Respond to this video..Fuck any other than us monkeys .
armaddajam 7 months ago
Respond to this video... Sorry ass chimps without us
armaddajam 7 months ago
Respond to this video... I'll show you ape shit bitch
armaddajam 7 months ago
Nice video! I'm surprised at how complex the engines were, I didn't know you could adjust the superchargers.
synthfreakify 9 months ago
In tests in England in 1945, the P-61 Mosquito beat all the time, to measure yourself against the best pilot of a night fighter squadron. Tacked better and was faster. There is no doubt about who is who ate breakfast
ceteucex 10 months ago
Or............ you could just buy a Mosquito and be in the mess scarffing down bacon & eggs before these guys even get in the landing circuit
chitlika 11 months ago
@chitlika Yeah, because that 'skeeter couldn't up as long iirc. 8^)
GrigoriZhukov 9 months ago
Kids back then got to fly fighter planes. Today all we get to fly is video game consoles. Sucks ballsack, and I think we got gipped.
cobrachoppergirl 1 year ago
@cobrachoppergirl Yeah...kids got to fly fighter planes, and bombers, and all that, but in exchange, they were shot down and killed or captured by the tens of thousands. It's not like they got the tool around the skies having fun in their cool machines all the time. WWII was bloody business. What was it, like 30,000 American boys died flying from UK airfields ALONE? Maybe you should rethink who it was that got the short end of the stick...
justforever96 9 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
A late arrival built to just love the night shift. With four 50's and four 20 mills, this had to be very nasty surprise for the sons of Nippon...
you mean JAPS........... my Dad fought them too, from a B-24 out of India. Got shot in the calf for his troubles.
mmcceng77 1 year ago
piece of crap. can anyone say
Me-110
Ripley44mag 1 year ago
@Ripley44mag This might be news to you but... The U.S. won the WAR!!! The ME-110 wasnt much of a factor!!!!
gwissel1 1 year ago
@Ripley44mag can anyone say 1939 twin engine fighter which was ineffective enough to need to be escorted by Bf109's, even though it was itself intended as an escort fighter. Bf110 was a completely different aircraft to the P-61, different generation, different mission specification, the comparison is a bit ridiculous. Now, if you said Me410, there would be a point.
fauxsham 11 months ago
@Ripley44mag Excuse me, but my grandfather was a lieutenant P-61 night fighter in WWII. He could've been a captain, but refused. He also played a part in inventing the night vision goggles. This "piece of crap" and my grandpa helped win the war. So I'd appreciate you not saying that this wonderful airplane is anything less than amazing. Thanks.
AmberMo2011 4 months ago 10
@AmberMo2011 Your grandfather is my hero he belong to the best generation this country have. they were brave young Man who gave it all to protect our nation from evil. thanks for the information about your granfather his name should be in every military book outthere.
carmelo1966 3 months ago
@AmberMo2011
The versions with the 4 x .50 cal turrets had lead angle sensors like an analog version of an M1A1 tank's fire control system (minus the range finder). I understand they good at off nose angle targets. Anyone know why these turrets were deleted in later models?
1138thz 1 month ago
@1138thz i believe i read somewhere that the turret screwed with the aerodynamics too much.
anonymuswere 1 month ago
@1138thz They found that the movement of the turret in flight produced severe buffeting.
Gromit801 3 weeks ago
@AmberMo2011 "An obituary notice comes with every bite" sums up the Black Widow all too well. This aircraft was as fast as many single engine fighters in service at the time, was maneuverable as a fighter needed to be, was armed like a flying flak battery, was designed from the ground up to carry airborne intercept radar, had no vices in handling. I've studied military aviation for over 40 years: anyone who calls the P-61 Black Widow a "piece of crap" hasn't got a freakin' clue.
Kagetora2010 3 days ago
@Ripley44mag I wouldn't call the P-61 crap. I'd agree that with a better firepower, higher service ceiling, faster top speed, the Bf-110 "could" be better. The black widow was more maneuverable though.
Germany had far superior equipment than the allies & the only reason America beat Germany in World War II in the way that it did, was because German was over powered & out numbered & spread too thin by having to fight the the Russians AND the Americans on 2 fronts at the same time.
26Invader 2 months ago
@26Invader and hitler the fool didnt listen to his generals he apparantly new better well we all know how that tale ended
yort002 2 weeks ago
@Ripley44mag No, cause no such plane existed...
Zajuts149 1 month ago
@Ripley44mag Jerk.
AmberMo2011 3 weeks ago
@Ripley44mag Get back to us when you actually learn something about aircraft and WWII
Gromit801 3 weeks ago
Nothing like the sound of twin Pratt&Whitney double wasp engines purring together.
slake21609 1 year ago
A late arrival built to just love the night shift. With four 50's and four 20 mills, this had to be very nasty surprise for the sons of Nippon...
deetjay1 1 year ago
That was the first time I was able to see descent footage of a P-61 cockpit. Cool.
maxsmodels 1 year ago
GREAT Post....My Dad flew in WW2 and Korea; and I flew in Vietnam....Thanks so much for this training film!!!
Greenhornet270 1 year ago 4
@Greenhornet270 Where was he stationed in WWII?
AmberMo2011 3 weeks ago
@Greenhornet270 thanks for your service:)
ajsaccount1991 1 week ago
A P-61 - Lady in the Dark - got the last confirmed kill in the Pacific.
nytwings 1 year ago
water injection ftw
toddi1971 1 year ago
Best night fighter ever made...I can't Imagine how loud it would of been flying over an airfield in a three-plane formation...
MasonZstudios 1 year ago
This airplane scared the brown rice out of Japanese fighter pilots.
klesmer 1 year ago
thank you airboyd, for posting this, it brings back memories. My grandfather and I used to build model planes together, and One that I always loved was My model of the P-61 Black widow. My grandfather died in 1991 but, is not forgotten. He has also a part of the Air core, before there was an army. He was a great Man, to the very end. Thank you again airboyd.
smartnsexz 1 year ago
@smartnsexz very touching story, hat's off to you.
MasonZstudios 1 year ago
Best ever.
eatmoresoap 1 year ago
our little friends the p61 wasnt a p51 but there was no joke about the black widow,myhats off to the crew of the p-61,id realy like to restore 1,or even see one,
zzixsixx 1 year ago
@zzixsixx So would I...but there are probably not many flying today.
MasonZstudios 1 year ago
@MasonZstudios There aren't *any* flying today, though there is a long-term project to restore one to flying status. Only four P-61s are known to have survived at all. Compared to other World War II fighters, which were often built in the thousands or tens of thousands, relatively few P-61s were built (around 700), and they were only in service for a few years before being replaced by jets, so this is to be expected.
colindhowell 2 months ago
still my favorite bird of all time.
batlith77 1 year ago
@dianebailot The name "Black Widow" was official, not given by pilots because of any negative flight characteristics.
auerstadt06 1 year ago 3
i'd say 100 million to build this machine
today . a lot of bird in that day
silverbird58 2 years ago