Author Topic: Northrop P-61 Ideas and Inspiration (Read 25728 times)

The Big Gimper · « **on:** February 11, 2012, 01:30:03 AM »

Northrop TBT-1 Torpedo Bomber - Blue Widow:

A Friday afternoon brain fart.

What if in late 1945, the FAA (do you sense a theme in my brain here?) asked the British and US aircraft manufacturers to propose a torpedo bomber which has the following capabilities;

two radial engines for reliability and long over water flights in the PTO
long range option (DUH!)
two to three crew members
carry at least two torpedoes
self defense options
carry radar for night time attacks
have a top speed in excess of 400 MPH
Look really cool in a GSB finish and large FAA decals

What if Jack Northrop, a sailor himself, said I have the airplane to do that?

Hi gave the order and in less than 3 months he presented to the Admirals of the FAA the Northrop TBT-1 Blue Widow based on the P-61B. They were immediately impressed and placed an order for 250 aircraft.

The TBT-1 Blue Widow became the scourge of the night sky sinking over 500,000 of Tons of Axis shipping all at night.

Comments?

Carl

Empty Handed · « **Reply #1 on:** February 11, 2012, 01:57:21 AM »

A minor quibble. Northrop's designator was T, so your Blue Widow would be the TBT. Other than that, seriously cool idea!!!!

The Big Gimper · « **Reply #2 on:** February 11, 2012, 01:59:49 AM »

Oops. I missed that. TBT it is.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #3 on:** February 11, 2012, 04:08:26 AM »

looking forward to this.

Maverick · « **Reply #4 on:** February 11, 2012, 07:02:53 AM »

Sounds neat Carl. You could redo the nose radar as an ASV set and even consider that the upper guns have a legitimate place as a defensive option. I might see if I can knock up a profile along the lines you've mentioned.

Regards,

John

The Big Gimper · « **Reply #5 on:** February 11, 2012, 09:41:57 AM »

Good idea John.

What about the Quickboost Liberator GR V ASV mounted under the fuselage? And some 5" HVARs under the wing?

Maverick · « **Reply #6 on:** February 11, 2012, 10:43:23 AM »

Could be good. Would give a different nose profile and you could use the space for maybe a 75mm or 57mm.

Regards,

John

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #7 on:** February 19, 2012, 04:49:56 AM »

Here's something I was asked to do once upon a time:

Regards,

Greg

P.S. Folks, I have renamed this thread "Northrop P-61 Ideas and Inspiration" so as to be more inclusive of other P-61 ideas.

kitnut617 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 03, 2012, 01:41:30 AM »

I think it would be better if you based it on the P-61E version, it had the more powerful engines of the "C" but with a cut down fuselage and bubble tandem canopy.

Jeffry Fontaine · « **Reply #9 on:** May 03, 2012, 02:01:04 AM »

Quote from: kitnut617 on May 03, 2012, 01:41:30 AM

I think it would be better if you based it on the P-61E version, it had the more powerful engines of the "C" but with a cut down fuselage and bubble tandem canopy.

The question of kit availability and affordability is going to determine what kits and parts John is using for this project. Since it is in 1/48th scale there are limited choices and selection. Better to spend $20.00 on the Monogram kit and get it done under cost and under budget.

kitnut617 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 03, 2012, 04:38:23 AM »

Quote from: Jeffry Fontaine on May 03, 2012, 02:01:04 AM

Quote from: kitnut617 on May 03, 2012, 01:41:30 AM
I think it would be better if you based it on the P-61E version, it had the more powerful engines of the "C" but with a cut down fuselage and bubble tandem canopy.

The question of kit availability and affordability is going to determine what kits and parts John is using for this project. Since it is in 1/48th scale there are limited choices and selection. Better to spend $20.00 on the Monogram kit and get it done under cost and under budget.

I would agree there Jeff, except Karl hadn't mentioned a scale. Looking in the PAK-20 book, Lone Star Models had announced a 1/48 F-15 Reporter was in the works although nothing shows up on the website.

I've got three Reporter conversions in 1/72 which I was going to use on various other P-61 variants. I can't remember who produced it now though ---- $:-\$

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #11 on:** May 03, 2012, 06:04:04 PM »

Quote from: kitnut617 on May 03, 2012, 04:38:23 AM

Looking in the PAK-20 book, Lone Star Models had announced a 1/48 F-15 Reporter was in the works although nothing shows up on the website.

It is on this page: http://www.lonestarmodels.com/conversions-1-48.html

kitnut617 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 03, 2012, 10:15:41 PM »

Quote from: GTX_Admin on May 03, 2012, 06:04:04 PM

Quote from: kitnut617 on May 03, 2012, 04:38:23 AM
Looking in the PAK-20 book, Lone Star Models had announced a 1/48 F-15 Reporter was in the works although nothing shows up on the website.

It is on this page: http://www.lonestarmodels.com/conversions-1-48.html

Cheers Greg, I missed it when I looked

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #13 on:** May 04, 2012, 03:35:14 AM »

One I did a while back for a Super P-61E:

kitnut617 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 04, 2012, 05:40:47 AM »

corn-cobbed ?

finsrin · « **Reply #15 on:** May 04, 2012, 08:05:10 AM »

About half of Spider Venom is P-61. Not planned, but stumbled upon the 1/48 Venom and 1/72 P-61 wings a near perfect match. Not started as a concept to build that way. It just happened. Of help here? --- probably not. Anything can happen when you paw thru plastic parts.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #16 on:** May 04, 2012, 04:08:38 PM »

Quote from: kitnut617 on May 04, 2012, 05:40:47 AM

corn-cobbed ?

Yep.

kitnut617 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 04, 2012, 09:04:33 PM »

Quote from: GTX_Admin on May 04, 2012, 04:08:38 PM

Quote from: kitnut617 on May 04, 2012, 05:40:47 AM
corn-cobbed ?

Yep.

Now there's a possible build coming up ---- I've got an XoticKits F2G-2 Corsair in the stash that looks like what you've drawn Greg

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #18 on:** May 05, 2012, 02:52:23 AM »

Go for it!!!

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #19 on:** November 10, 2013, 03:11:34 AM »

Random idea: P-61 Jet Testbed aircraft. In other words, a basic P-61 but with the turret removed and replaced with air intake and a jet engine mounted in the rear of the nacelle/pod and exhausting to the rear. Would probably also remove cannon in belly and paint in some sort of testbed scheme.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #20 on:** November 10, 2013, 03:13:33 AM »

...and speaking of P-61 testbed aircraft:

elmayerle · « **Reply #21 on:** November 10, 2013, 06:05:37 AM »

Interesting, it suggests another testbed role for the P-61, remove the 20-mm cannon and replace that fairing and structure with a radome for testing new airborne radars in addition to the volume in the nose.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #22 on:** August 12, 2015, 02:01:26 PM »

Random Ideas:

B-61 with bomb bay
EP-61 dedicated electronic warfare aircraft
RAF P-61 in this scheme:

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #23 on:** August 12, 2015, 02:29:16 PM »

Some inspiration from our members:

perttime · « **Reply #24 on:** August 13, 2015, 03:12:42 PM »

Quote from: GTX_Admin on August 12, 2015, 02:29:16 PM

Some inspiration from our members:

Logan has quite a few more P-61s on deviantart:
http://comradeloganov.deviantart.com/gallery/36273612/What-If-Profiles


Swords to Plowshares GB Now Open!!

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Author Topic: Northrop P-61 Ideas and Inspiration (Read 25728 times)