Difference between revisions of "P-61A-11"
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The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium rank {{Specs|rank}} American twin-engine fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.57 "Battle March"]]. Unlike the more advanced [[P-61C-1]] variant, this initial production aircraft does not feature any external suspended payloads. | The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium rank {{Specs|rank}} American twin-engine fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.57 "Battle March"]]. Unlike the more advanced [[P-61C-1]] variant, this initial production aircraft does not feature any external suspended payloads. | ||
| − | The P-61A-1 is a twin-engine fighter, also known as a strike fighter in-game. It has four [[ | + | The P-61A-1 is a twin-engine fighter, also known as a strike fighter in-game. It has four [[AN/M2 (20 mm)|AN/M2 cannons]] placed under the belly of the aircraft with an additional four [[Browning M2 (12.7 mm)|Browning machine guns]] in a remotely controlled dorsal turret. The cannons combined with the turret are able to make quick work of any plane which stands in your way. The machine gun turret was controlled by a gyroscopic fire control computer which was operated by either the gunner or radar operator for both offensive and defensive situations. It is excellent in bomber hunting and excels when used with Boom & Zoom tactics. However, it does not have defensive armament that provides essential protection from the low rear or belly attacks. While being a large aircraft, it is unable to effectively turn to fight and when doing so, rapidly bleeds any energy and advantages it may have. |
Turret defensive angles are limited to the upper plane of the aircraft as it can not aim any lower than the elevators. If an enemy plane is in the machine gun dead zone, you will need to change the position of the plane so the guns can acquire a firing solution, this can be accomplished by transitioning into a steep climb or dive. It also offers very weak crew protection from head-on attacks. | Turret defensive angles are limited to the upper plane of the aircraft as it can not aim any lower than the elevators. If an enemy plane is in the machine gun dead zone, you will need to change the position of the plane so the guns can acquire a firing solution, this can be accomplished by transitioning into a steep climb or dive. It also offers very weak crew protection from head-on attacks. | ||
| − | The two engines are Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10s. It will only be able to take off with a speed of around 169 mph (271 kph) and requires a very long airstrip | + | The two engines are Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10s. It will only be able to take off with a speed of around 169 mph (271 kph) and requires a very long airstrip since it is a very heavy plane. |
== General info == | == General info == | ||
| Line 139: | Line 139: | ||
=== Survivability and armour === | === Survivability and armour === | ||
<!-- ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' --> | <!-- ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' --> | ||
| − | * 12.7 mm Steel - Nose | + | * 12.7 mm Steel - Nose armour plating (behind radar unit) |
| − | * 60 mm Bulletproof glass - Pilot and gunner | + | * 60 mm Bulletproof glass - Pilot and gunner armoured windscreens |
| − | * 12.7 mm Steel - Gunner front | + | * 12.7 mm Steel - Gunner front armour (folds out of the way when not in use) |
* 12.7 mm Steel - Lower gun plate | * 12.7 mm Steel - Lower gun plate | ||
* 9.5 mm Steel - Gun turret ammo protection plates | * 9.5 mm Steel - Gun turret ammo protection plates | ||
| Line 165: | Line 165: | ||
The below tactics can be used in all games modes: | The below tactics can be used in all games modes: | ||
| − | '''How to offensively Engage an enemy aircraft:''' <br /> Climb to high altitude and keep on a straight heading once you have seen the enemy. Overshoot the enemy plane, then perform a 180 degree turn. Make sure you stay on his tail and gradually descend. It is recommended to do something similar to a shallow descent, where you can keep speed and height to your advantage in case the enemy aircraft changes course and altitude. Do not perform a dive which requires you dive straight down | + | '''How to offensively Engage an enemy aircraft:''' <br /> Climb to high altitude and keep on a straight heading once you have seen the enemy. Overshoot the enemy plane, then perform a 180-degree turn. Make sure you stay on his tail and gradually descend. It is recommended to do something similar to a shallow descent, where you can keep speed and height to your advantage in case the enemy aircraft changes course and altitude. Do not perform a dive which requires you to dive straight down since you will rip the wings off and crash. Once you are within firing range, fire a short salvo from your cannons. A couple of bursts from the Black Widow are sufficient to easily rip an enemy plane to shreds. |
'''''How to perform defensive fighting:'''''<br /> | '''''How to perform defensive fighting:'''''<br /> | ||
When you are being engaged by an enemy fighter, make sure you keep descending. '''Very Important:''' Do not allow enemy aircraft to get lower than your elevator on the tail boom. You have no defensive armament to cover the belly or full-rear of the plane; these are your weakest defended parts. | When you are being engaged by an enemy fighter, make sure you keep descending. '''Very Important:''' Do not allow enemy aircraft to get lower than your elevator on the tail boom. You have no defensive armament to cover the belly or full-rear of the plane; these are your weakest defended parts. | ||
| − | *Tactic one: Descend slowly. Put the plane in a steep dive that does not exceed your structural limit of 399 mph (642 kph). However it must be steep enough to provide the turret gunner full visibility of the enemy plane. The four [[Browning M2 (12.7 mm)|Browning]] machine guns will take care of the enemy plane. | + | *Tactic one: Descend slowly. Put the plane in a steep dive that does not exceed your structural limit of 399 mph (642 kph). However, it must be steep enough to provide the turret gunner full visibility of the enemy plane. The four [[Browning M2 (12.7 mm)|Browning]] machine guns will take care of the enemy plane. |
| − | *Tactic Two: Put the plane in a steep climb and make sure you set the throttle to at least 70%. Jump into the gunner turret and operate it. This will be the most accurate and fastest way of shooting down the hostile plane. When you operate the turret, make sure you try and perform defensive manoeuvres when operating it i.e. sharp turns, rapidly decreasing in height as well as gaining height and changing the speed of the plane in an irrational way. This will give you higher chance of survival against the enemy. | + | *Tactic Two: Put the plane in a steep climb and make sure you set the throttle to at least 70%. Jump into the gunner turret and operate it. This will be the most accurate and fastest way of shooting down the hostile plane. When you operate the turret, make sure you try and perform defensive manoeuvres when operating it i.e. sharp turns, rapidly decreasing in height as well as gaining height and changing the speed of the plane in an irrational way. This will give you a higher chance of survival against the enemy. |
====Specific enemies worth noting==== | ====Specific enemies worth noting==== | ||
<!--Some concerning vehicles to worry about if playing this plane. (i.e. Japanese fighters will out turn you)--> | <!--Some concerning vehicles to worry about if playing this plane. (i.e. Japanese fighters will out turn you)--> | ||
*'''Japanese Aircraft''' | *'''Japanese Aircraft''' | ||
| − | The most dangerous opponents for the P-61A are going to be the Japanese aircraft, due to their incredible | + | The most dangerous opponents for the P-61A are going to be the Japanese aircraft, due to their incredible manoeuvrability, and their fast climb-rate, which will leave you at a disadvantage in altitude. However, the most notable threat from the Japanese arsenal is probably going to be the J2M Raiden, due to its fast speed and fairly durable armour for a Japanese plane. In addition, any of the later model A6M3 Reisen (Zero) models will give you problems, as they will out-turn you in seconds. |
*'''German Aircraft''' | *'''German Aircraft''' | ||
| − | The Germans have the most planes with more dangerous cannons, thanks to their minengeschoß rounds, which punch through and explode inside an | + | The Germans have the most planes with more dangerous cannons, thanks to their minengeschoß rounds, which punch through and explode inside an airframe, thus causing maximum damage to control surfaces. As you are at a battle rating of 3.7, you have the possibility of facing the Bf-109 G-6, which has a fast speed and nose-mounted weaponry that are large enough in calibre to shred your airframe. Perhaps the biggest threat to your plane is the ''Focke-Wulf'' Fw 190 A-4, which boasts four 20 mm cannons, which will reduce your plane to a burning wreck. While it is unlikely to see many at high altitude, the ''Messerschmitt'' Me-410 A-1 is also a viable threat. |
*'''Russian Aircraft''' | *'''Russian Aircraft''' | ||
| − | Repeat after the following bold statement:'''Do not head-on an IL-2 of any variant.''' As sluggish as they seem, the IL-2 will rip your aircraft to shreds due to the fast firing combination of machine gun and auto-cannon fire. The most common adversary that will be faced is any aircraft bearing the prefix "Yak"- most dangerous among them is the Yak-9K, which has a 45 mm cannon that can utterly obliterate your plane, and the Yak-9T, which has a 37 mm cannon that will do the same damage to your aircraft. The La-5FN is probably the biggest threat you will face due to its fast speed, ridiculously strong cockpit | + | Repeat after the following bold statement:'''Do not head-on an IL-2 of any variant.''' As sluggish as they seem, the IL-2 will rip your aircraft to shreds due to the fast firing combination of machine gun and auto-cannon fire. The most common adversary that will be faced is any aircraft bearing the prefix "Yak"- most dangerous among them is the Yak-9K, which has a 45 mm cannon that can utterly obliterate your plane, and the Yak-9T, which has a 37 mm cannon that will do the same damage to your aircraft. The La-5FN is probably the biggest threat you will face due to its fast speed, ridiculously strong cockpit armour, climb rate, manoeuvrability and firepower. This is mainly given if a La-5FN pilot is using "Ground Target" ammunition, every third round fired is an Armor-Piercing Fragmentation Incendiary round, and every other round is either a Fragmentation-Incendiary Tracer or an Armor-Piercing Incendiary round. In short, the La-5FN has the biggest threat due to all the API rounds in the ammunition. |
*'''British Aircraft''' | *'''British Aircraft''' | ||
| − | The British are among the most | + | The British are among the most manoeuvrable adversary you will face, so with that in mind, do not try and turn-fight any British plane. Also, most British planes have an astonishing climb-rate, which will leave you at an altitude disadvantage. The most common adversary you will face is the Spitfire Mk. IIb, which can turn circles around you and it has two wing-mounted Hispano cannons, which can tear into the P-61's airframe. They may not be too common, but a Boomerang Mk. I or a Boomerang Mk. II will also give you a hard time, given their tighter grouping of shells, and the fact they have the Hispano Mk. II cannons, whose "Air Target" ammunition is practically "Stealth" ammunition. The Beaufighter Mk. VIc, will be the most dangerous threat, given the four Hispano cannons in the belly, which will tear apart the P-61. A Spitfire Mk. V will also give you a run for your money, due to the Hispano Mk. II cannons it wields. |
*'''Italian Aircraft''' | *'''Italian Aircraft''' | ||
| − | The most plausible threat from the Italians will be the C.202EC (''Experimental Cannon''), which has the | + | The most plausible threat from the Italians will be the C.202EC (''Experimental Cannon''), which has the manoeuvrability, speed and especially firepower due to the plane boasting German 20 mm cannons which utilise the minengeschoß shells. |
*'''American Aircraft''' | *'''American Aircraft''' | ||
| Line 196: | Line 196: | ||
===Radars=== | ===Radars=== | ||
{{main|AI Mk. X}} | {{main|AI Mk. X}} | ||
| + | [[File:P-61_-_Nose_Radar.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A front view of an '''{{PAGENAME}}''' [[AI Mk. X]] radar.]] | ||
The P-61A-1 is equipped with an [[AI Mk. X]] search radar, located in the nose of the aircraft. | The P-61A-1 is equipped with an [[AI Mk. X]] search radar, located in the nose of the aircraft. | ||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
| Line 208: | Line 209: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
| + | [[File:P-61_cockpit_pilots_radar_indicator.png|250px|thumb|right|A view of a '''{{PAGENAME}}''' pilot's instrument panel with a BC-1152-A pilots indicator portion of the [[AI Mk. X]] radar. (''The BC-1152-A is the square box with the rectangular window just above the control yoke'')]] | ||
===Manual Engine Control=== | ===Manual Engine Control=== | ||
| Line 281: | Line 283: | ||
'''Cons''' | '''Cons''' | ||
| − | |||
* Slow acceleration and requires a long airstrip to take off due to weight | * Slow acceleration and requires a long airstrip to take off due to weight | ||
* Slow roll rates | * Slow roll rates | ||
| Line 287: | Line 288: | ||
* Unable to put fires out in a dive, due to speed will reach in excess of structural limitations which will rip the wings off | * Unable to put fires out in a dive, due to speed will reach in excess of structural limitations which will rip the wings off | ||
* Not recommended to dive sharply, structural damage will occur in speeds in excess of 399 mph | * Not recommended to dive sharply, structural damage will occur in speeds in excess of 399 mph | ||
| − | * Unable to sustain a direct head on attack against a well-armed, small-profile enemy plane | + | * Unable to sustain a direct head-on attack against a well-armed, small-profile enemy plane |
* Only one defensive dorsal turret installed, cannot cover the rear of the plane effectively | * Only one defensive dorsal turret installed, cannot cover the rear of the plane effectively | ||
| − | * No | + | * No defence against low-rear and belly attacks |
| − | * Large body airframe, makes | + | * Large body airframe, makes dogfighting almost impossible |
* Can not carry additional armament | * Can not carry additional armament | ||
* Flaps snap off easily. | * Flaps snap off easily. | ||
| Line 305: | Line 306: | ||
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' | * ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' | ||
| − | + | <!--''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:'' | |
| − | ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:'' | ||
* ''topic on the official game forum;'' | * ''topic on the official game forum;'' | ||
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;'' | * ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;'' | ||
| − | * ''other literature.'' | + | * ''other literature.''--> |
| + | * [https://ia801208.us.archive.org/33/items/PilotTrainingManualForTheBlackWidowP61/PilotTrainingManualForTheBlackWidowP-61.pdf Pilot Training Manual for the P-61 Black Widow - By Headquarters AAF - Office of Flying Safety, 1944] | ||
{{USA twin-engine fighters}} | {{USA twin-engine fighters}} | ||
Revision as of 00:31, 23 April 2019
| This page is about the premium twin-engine fighter P-61A-11. For the regular version, see P-61C-1. |
Description
The P-61A-11 is a premium rank III American twin-engine fighter
with a battle rating of 3.7 (AB/RB) and 4.0 (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.57 "Battle March". Unlike the more advanced P-61C-1 variant, this initial production aircraft does not feature any external suspended payloads.
The P-61A-1 is a twin-engine fighter, also known as a strike fighter in-game. It has four AN/M2 cannons placed under the belly of the aircraft with an additional four Browning machine guns in a remotely controlled dorsal turret. The cannons combined with the turret are able to make quick work of any plane which stands in your way. The machine gun turret was controlled by a gyroscopic fire control computer which was operated by either the gunner or radar operator for both offensive and defensive situations. It is excellent in bomber hunting and excels when used with Boom & Zoom tactics. However, it does not have defensive armament that provides essential protection from the low rear or belly attacks. While being a large aircraft, it is unable to effectively turn to fight and when doing so, rapidly bleeds any energy and advantages it may have.
Turret defensive angles are limited to the upper plane of the aircraft as it can not aim any lower than the elevators. If an enemy plane is in the machine gun dead zone, you will need to change the position of the plane so the guns can acquire a firing solution, this can be accomplished by transitioning into a steep climb or dive. It also offers very weak crew protection from head-on attacks. The two engines are Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10s. It will only be able to take off with a speed of around 169 mph (271 kph) and requires a very long airstrip since it is a very heavy plane.
General info
Flight Performance
| Characteristics | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | |||||||
| Max Speed (km/h at 7,315 m) |
Max altitude (meters) |
Turn time (seconds) |
Rate of climb (meters/second) |
Take-off run (meters) | |||
| AB | RB | AB | RB | AB | RB | ||
| 561 | 549 | 11,000 | 31.0 | 32.0 | 9.3 | 9.1 | 457 |
| Upgraded | |||||||
| Max Speed (km/h at 7,315 m) |
Max altitude (meters) | Turn time (seconds) | Rate of climb (meters/second) |
Take-off run (meters) | |||
| AB | RB | AB | RB | AB | RB | ||
| 602 | 582 | 11,000 | 29.1 | 30.0 | 13.3 | 11.2 | 457 |
Details
| Features | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat flap | Take-off flap | Landing flap | Air brakes | Arrestor gear |
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | X | X |
| Limits | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wing-break speed (km/h) |
Gear limit (km/h) |
Combat flap (km/h) |
Max Static G | |
| + | - | |||
| 642 | 350 | 340 | ~4 | ~2 |
| Optimal velocities | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ailerons (km/h) |
Rudder (km/h) |
Elevators (km/h) |
Radiator (km/h) |
| < 530 | < 420 | < 450 | > 240 |
| Compressor (RB/SB) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Setting 1 | ||
| Optimal altitude | 100% Engine power | WEP Engine power |
| 460 m | 4000 hp | n/a |
| Setting 2 | ||
| Optimal altitude | 100% Engine power | WEP Engine power |
| 4,420 m | 3,480 hp | n/a |
| Setting 3 | ||
| Optimal altitude | 100% Engine power | WEP Engine power |
| 6,090 m | 3,320 hp | n/a |
Survivability and armour
- 12.7 mm Steel - Nose armour plating (behind radar unit)
- 60 mm Bulletproof glass - Pilot and gunner armoured windscreens
- 12.7 mm Steel - Gunner front armour (folds out of the way when not in use)
- 12.7 mm Steel - Lower gun plate
- 9.5 mm Steel - Gun turret ammo protection plates
- 12.7 mm Steel - Turret protection plate
Armaments
Offensive armament
The P-61A-11 is armed with:
- 4 x 20 mm AN/M2 cannons, chin-mounted (200 rpg = 800 total)
Defensive armament
The P-61A-11 is defended by:
- 4 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, dorsal turret (500 rpg inner + 560 rpg outer = 2,120 total)
Usage in battles
The below tactics can be used in all games modes:
How to offensively Engage an enemy aircraft:
Climb to high altitude and keep on a straight heading once you have seen the enemy. Overshoot the enemy plane, then perform a 180-degree turn. Make sure you stay on his tail and gradually descend. It is recommended to do something similar to a shallow descent, where you can keep speed and height to your advantage in case the enemy aircraft changes course and altitude. Do not perform a dive which requires you to dive straight down since you will rip the wings off and crash. Once you are within firing range, fire a short salvo from your cannons. A couple of bursts from the Black Widow are sufficient to easily rip an enemy plane to shreds.
How to perform defensive fighting:
When you are being engaged by an enemy fighter, make sure you keep descending. Very Important: Do not allow enemy aircraft to get lower than your elevator on the tail boom. You have no defensive armament to cover the belly or full-rear of the plane; these are your weakest defended parts.
- Tactic one: Descend slowly. Put the plane in a steep dive that does not exceed your structural limit of 399 mph (642 kph). However, it must be steep enough to provide the turret gunner full visibility of the enemy plane. The four Browning machine guns will take care of the enemy plane.
- Tactic Two: Put the plane in a steep climb and make sure you set the throttle to at least 70%. Jump into the gunner turret and operate it. This will be the most accurate and fastest way of shooting down the hostile plane. When you operate the turret, make sure you try and perform defensive manoeuvres when operating it i.e. sharp turns, rapidly decreasing in height as well as gaining height and changing the speed of the plane in an irrational way. This will give you a higher chance of survival against the enemy.
Specific enemies worth noting
- Japanese Aircraft
The most dangerous opponents for the P-61A are going to be the Japanese aircraft, due to their incredible manoeuvrability, and their fast climb-rate, which will leave you at a disadvantage in altitude. However, the most notable threat from the Japanese arsenal is probably going to be the J2M Raiden, due to its fast speed and fairly durable armour for a Japanese plane. In addition, any of the later model A6M3 Reisen (Zero) models will give you problems, as they will out-turn you in seconds.
- German Aircraft
The Germans have the most planes with more dangerous cannons, thanks to their minengeschoß rounds, which punch through and explode inside an airframe, thus causing maximum damage to control surfaces. As you are at a battle rating of 3.7, you have the possibility of facing the Bf-109 G-6, which has a fast speed and nose-mounted weaponry that are large enough in calibre to shred your airframe. Perhaps the biggest threat to your plane is the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-4, which boasts four 20 mm cannons, which will reduce your plane to a burning wreck. While it is unlikely to see many at high altitude, the Messerschmitt Me-410 A-1 is also a viable threat.
- Russian Aircraft
Repeat after the following bold statement:Do not head-on an IL-2 of any variant. As sluggish as they seem, the IL-2 will rip your aircraft to shreds due to the fast firing combination of machine gun and auto-cannon fire. The most common adversary that will be faced is any aircraft bearing the prefix "Yak"- most dangerous among them is the Yak-9K, which has a 45 mm cannon that can utterly obliterate your plane, and the Yak-9T, which has a 37 mm cannon that will do the same damage to your aircraft. The La-5FN is probably the biggest threat you will face due to its fast speed, ridiculously strong cockpit armour, climb rate, manoeuvrability and firepower. This is mainly given if a La-5FN pilot is using "Ground Target" ammunition, every third round fired is an Armor-Piercing Fragmentation Incendiary round, and every other round is either a Fragmentation-Incendiary Tracer or an Armor-Piercing Incendiary round. In short, the La-5FN has the biggest threat due to all the API rounds in the ammunition.
- British Aircraft
The British are among the most manoeuvrable adversary you will face, so with that in mind, do not try and turn-fight any British plane. Also, most British planes have an astonishing climb-rate, which will leave you at an altitude disadvantage. The most common adversary you will face is the Spitfire Mk. IIb, which can turn circles around you and it has two wing-mounted Hispano cannons, which can tear into the P-61's airframe. They may not be too common, but a Boomerang Mk. I or a Boomerang Mk. II will also give you a hard time, given their tighter grouping of shells, and the fact they have the Hispano Mk. II cannons, whose "Air Target" ammunition is practically "Stealth" ammunition. The Beaufighter Mk. VIc, will be the most dangerous threat, given the four Hispano cannons in the belly, which will tear apart the P-61. A Spitfire Mk. V will also give you a run for your money, due to the Hispano Mk. II cannons it wields.
- Italian Aircraft
The most plausible threat from the Italians will be the C.202EC (Experimental Cannon), which has the manoeuvrability, speed and especially firepower due to the plane boasting German 20 mm cannons which utilise the minengeschoß shells.
- American Aircraft
In addition, another major threat is the American P-47D Thunderbolt, which has the speed and firepower to out-class the P-61A in any fashion.
Radars
The P-61A-1 is equipped with an AI Mk. X search radar, located in the nose of the aircraft.
| AI Mk. X - Target Detection Radar | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Detection Range |
Guaranteed Detection Range |
Max Azimuth Scan Angle |
Max Elevation Scan Angle |
| 14,000 m | 8,500 m | ±75° | -20°/+40° |
Manual Engine Control
| MEC elements | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mixer | Pitch | Radiator | Supercharger | Turbocharger | ||
| Oil | Water | Type | ||||
| Controllable | Not controllable | Not controllable | Not controllable | Separate | Not controllable | Not controllable |
Modules
| Tier | Flight performance | Survivability | Weaponry | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Fuselage Repair | Radiator | Turret 12 mm | ||
| II | Compressor | Airframe | New 12 mm MGs (turret) | ||
| III | Wings Repair | Engine | Offensive 20 mm | ||
| IV | Cover | New 20 mm Cannons | |||
Pros and cons
Pros:
- The offensive armament is mounted under the belly of the plane, this provides excellent accuracy
- Powerful offensive armament of 4 x AN/M2 cannons with a total amount of 800 rounds
- Powerful defensive armament of 4 x Browning MGs in a turret with 2120 rounds that can be used offensively
- Very stable climb rate
- Engines are able to cool down very fast
- Okay turn time
- Able to perform sharp movements at low and high speed
- Excellent bomber hunter
- Excellent Reward and Research bonus
- Very strong and rugged airframe; is able to fly with wing tips missing
- Can keep alot of momentum from a gradual dive
- Can do very sharp manoeuvers at high and low speeds due to the flaps
- Engine can stay very cool at high throttle settings (65-75%)
- Has access to a target detection radar, with much better range than German radars found around this battle rating
Cons
- Slow acceleration and requires a long airstrip to take off due to weight
- Slow roll rates
- No airbrakes installed; easy to get structural damage and rip apart at 399 mph (642 kph)
- Unable to put fires out in a dive, due to speed will reach in excess of structural limitations which will rip the wings off
- Not recommended to dive sharply, structural damage will occur in speeds in excess of 399 mph
- Unable to sustain a direct head-on attack against a well-armed, small-profile enemy plane
- Only one defensive dorsal turret installed, cannot cover the rear of the plane effectively
- No defence against low-rear and belly attacks
- Large body airframe, makes dogfighting almost impossible
- Can not carry additional armament
- Flaps snap off easily.
History
Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === Encyclopedia Info ===, also if applicable).
Media
Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.
See also
Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:
- reference to the series of the aircraft;
- links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.
- Pilot Training Manual for the P-61 Black Widow - By Headquarters AAF - Office of Flying Safety, 1944
| USA twin-engine fighters | |
|---|---|
| P-38 | XP-38G · P-38E · P-38G-1 · P-38J-15 · Bong's P-38J-15 · P-38L-5-LO · P-38K · YP-38 |
| P-61 | P-61A-11 · P-61C-1 |
| F7F | F7F-1 · F7F-3 |
| Other | XF5F · XP-50 · F-82E |
