P-61 News

[BrianB]

I have lurked this site for a while, but just registered now. I monitored the condition of this acft while on business trips to Beijing from the mid 80's until the mid 90's, including a few private tours by the museum director. It is indeed in poor shape, but it appears to be 100% complete. Somewhere in my files I have photos from the gear bays and from in the cockpit. You can see daylight through many rivet holes and skin laps. I will try and locate them and post if possible. The P47 was (is) in much worse shape.

[Cees Broere]

So, it's actually the paint that keeps the airframe together. At least they have a lot to start with.

Cees

[TimAPNY]

Great News!

Thanks Mr. Allen (if you are out there!)


I'm glad it is saved from sliding further into destruction.

[wendovertom]

YES!! THANK YOU MR ALLEN!! the 419th FS "Black Widows" is part of the 388th FW here in Utah and they were one of the original units to fly the P-61 so I am very excited to hear this.

Does anyone know the condition of the other P-61 being restored? I forget the group that was working on it.

Tom P

[TimAPNY]

Mid Altantic Air Museum?

If that is the one, slow and steady.

[DanteC]

Does anyone know how the Beijing museum came to have the P-61, P-47's, and P-51?

[B-29 Super Fort]

I wonder if there are other warbirds in China museums or collections that could someday find there way back to the US.

[DaveM2]

Does anyone know how the Beijing museum came to have the P-61, P-47's, and P-51?

All those types were serving in China by wars end, it was 'suggested' they leave them behind when the USAAF pulled out, story I read somewhere was that they were forced to when it came to the P-61s.
Supposed to be a couple of B-25s on display at a local museum in the sixties, but since disappeared.

Dave

[C170BDan]

Great to hear that the China airframe was saved.

Here are two pictures I took of the NASM P-61 back in about 1995 or 1996. Was kinda hard to get a picture of it at the Garber facility! Cant hardly wait to see this one moved to the new museum... in current condition or restored!

[Pat Carry]

according to the NASM's website, the P-61 is not supposed to be placed inside the new building. Does that mean it is destined to be in storage forever?

[DaveM2]

Pat

The move is due to happen over several stages, the list only covers those to move in the next couple of years or so, so hopefully it will be on display in our lifetime !
Be great to see the P-61 lined up beside the He 219 and the Irving , a unique study in different approaches to night fighter designs.

Dave

[DanteC]

Does anyone know how the Beijing museum came to have the P-61, P-47's, and P-51?

All those types were serving in China by wars end, it was 'suggested' they leave them behind when the USAAF pulled out, story I read somewhere was that they were forced to when it came to the P-61s.
Supposed to be a couple of B-25s on display at a local museum in the sixties, but since disappeared.

Dave

Thanks, that's what I thought I had read as well

[Warbirdnerd]

B-29 Super Fort asked...

I wonder if there are other warbirds in China museums or collections that could someday find there way back to the US.

All 4 editions of the Warbirds Directory make reference to a B-24D Liberator, that once belonged to the Premier, reported to be at a Northern Chinese Air Base. The info is Dated 89-90 with an attempted purchase by Western Collectors in 1990...
I have not seen any other reference to this aircraft, but maybe the magic of the WIX can shed some light on it....
Anyone have access to satillite photos of Northern China? Could they be purchased from that French website????

[Matt]

I believe that B-24 might be the one that was very close to being acquired by an Australian who would have restored it back to airworthy condition. The time period is probably about right and it was certainly a Chinese aircraft that had significant connections to a fairly high ranking person. I know very little about why the deal went pear-shaped however it is a real shame since it would have been going to a fantastic home.

Cheers,
Matt

B-29 Super Fort asked...

I wonder if there are other warbirds in China museums or collections that could someday find there way back to the US.

All 4 editions of the Warbirds Directory make reference to a B-24D Liberator, that once belonged to the Premier, reported to be at a Northern Chinese Air Base. The info is Dated 89-90 with an attempted purchase by Western Collectors in 1990...
I have not seen any other reference to this aircraft, but maybe the magic of the WIX can shed some light on it....
Anyone have access to satillite photos of Northern China? Could they be purchased from that French website????

[DaveM2]

Matt

Heard that as well, anyone you know in the Oz fraternity that ever saw a picture of it ?

Dave