The Mid Atlantic Air Museum

MAAM

The

Restoration

Moving Day

The Mid Atlantic Air Museum reached a milestone on the road to fully restoring and returning its now famous Northrop P-61 “Black Widow” restoration project to airworthy condition.  During the last weekend in April, 2006, Museum crews move the three major components from the restoration shop where they took shape since 1991.  The left and right inner wing or engine nacelles were mated with the fuselage, after which the landing gear was lowered and locked for the first time since January, 1945.

Left Nacelle Awaiting the Move to the Hangar 4/28/06
The Shop Door is Rolled Up 4/28/06
The Left Nacelle Just fits thru the Door of the Shop 4/28/06
Left Nacelle Rolled into Hangar With Gene Strine 4/28/06
Positioning the Left Nacelle 4/28/06
Right Nacelle is Turned 4/28/06
Right Nacelle Moving into the Hangar 4/28/06
Both Nacelles in Position 4/28/06
The Crew Pod is Positioned for the Move 4/28/06
Gene Strine Watches as the P-61 Leaves the Shop 4/28/06
Moments Later the Crew Pod Enters the Hangar 4/28/06
Crew Pod in the Hangar 4/28/06
Crew Pod and Right Nacelle in Position 4/28/06
Lifting Sling is Placed on Crew Pod 4/29/06
Betsey Adjusts Lifting Sling while Doug and T.J. Look On 4/29/06
The Crane is in Position and Operator Doug Carlisle is Ready 4/29/06
Gene “Pappy” Strine Oversees the Operation 4/29/06
The Assembly Crew Consults 4/29/06
T.J. Radway Prepares Wing Bolt 4/29/06
Jeff Arentz Places a Part 4/29/06
Russ Strine Adjusts Wing Bolt 4/29/06
Mike Correll Measures 4/29/06
The P-61 Rests in its Cradle With Nacelles 4/29/06
All 3 Struts are Partially Extended 4/29/06
Consultations Take Place With the P61 in its Cradle 4/29/06
With the P-61 Suspended the Rear Cradle is Removed 4/29/06
Ron Price Sets the Main Wheel Bearings 4/29/06
The Main Wheels are Mounted on the Landing Gear 4/29/06
With the P61 on Jack Stands the Gear are Prepared 4/29/06
3 Down and Locked 4/29/06
Russ Strine Pilots the P61 for the First Time 4/29/06
The Widow is Positioned for a Photo Op 4/29/06
Front Quarter View 4/29/06
Rear Quarter View 4/29/06
4 Cannons in the Belly 4/29/06
Left Side View 4/29/06
Right Side View 4/29/06
Radar Installation in the Sunshine 4/29/06
After Her Moment in the Sun the Widow Is Returned to the Hangar 4/29/06
In Place With Her Hangar Mates 4/29/06
Come See Her Yourself 4/29/06
Cockpit 8/25/06
Crew Pod Aft From Cockpit 8/25/06
Forward Crew Pod 8/25/06
Right Engine Mount 8/25/06
Radar Installation in the Nose 8/25/06
20MM Hispano Cannon Viewed From the Right Side 8/25/06
20MM Hispano Canon Viewed From Left Side 8/25/06
Two of the Four 20MM Hispano Cannon Hanging In Their Mounts 8/25/06
Left Main Gear 8/25/06
Nose Gear With Fender Installed 8/25/06
Radar Operator’s Compartment 8/25/06
Oxygen Bottles in Right Nacelle 8/25/06
Radio Installation 8/25/06
Left Main Gear Well 8/25/06
Wing Fairing 8/25/06
Wing Fairing 8/25/06
Aft Windows Installed 8/35/06
Right Gear and Original Skin Panel 8/25/06
One of the Tail Booms in a Jig Cleaned and Ready for Repair 10/31/06
Tail Boom 10/31/06
The Other Tail Boom Awaiting Repair 10/31/06
Interior of Tail Boom 10/31/06
Cannon Muzzle Surround 10/31/06
Original Cannon Door 10/31/06
Exterior View of The Cannon Access Door 10/31/06
Interior View of The Cannon Access Door 10/31/06
Plexiglass Windows are Installed 10/31/06
Plexiglass Windows are Installed 10/31/06
Plexiglass Windows are Installed 10/31/06
Relief Tube System Above the Gun Bay 10/31/06
Rear Compartment Glass 10/31/06
Don Youngblood Shows Hydraulic Lines 10/31/06
Don Youngblood Trial Fits Armor Plate 10/31/06
Unfinished Wing Filet in Place 10/31/06
Wing Fairing and Inspection Panel 10/31/06
Canon Door Installed 10/31/06
Wing Fairing 10/31/06
One of the Vertical Fins 10/31/06
Throttle Quadrant Installation 10/31/06
Radar Operators Compartment Ladder 10/31/06
Radar Operators Compartment 10/31/06
Radar Operators Compartment 10/31/06
Radar Operators Compartment 10/31/06
Oxygen Regulator and Gauges 10/31/06
Cockpit 10/31/06
Flap Control Lever 10/31/06
Cockpit 10/31/06
Don Youngblood in the Fuselage 10/31/06
T.J. Radway Works On The Glass In the Radar Operators Compartment 10/31/06
The Gunners Seat With Gun Control Handles 1/3/07
Gunners Seat 1/3/07
Riveting on a Tail Boom 1/3/07
Inside of a Tail Boom 1/3/07
Work Proceeds on the Gun Bay 1/3/07
Temporary Noseart 1/3/07
Work Underway on Vertical Tail Assemblies 2/22/07
Work Underway on Vertical Tail Assemblies 2/22/07
Work Underway on Vertical Tail Assemblies 2/22/07
Work Underway on Vertical Tail Assemblies 2/22/07
P-61 Pilot Robert G. Blinder With The P-61 Model at MAAM’s 17th Annual World War II Weekend 6/1/07
P-61 and Model P-61 on Display 6/1/07
P-61 on Display at World War Weekend 6/1/07
P-61 and Model P-61 on Display 6/1/07
P-61 and Model P-61 on Display 6/1/07
Unrestored Rudder Tests Against a Tail Boom 6/28/07
T.J. Surveys His Work on the Tail Fin 6/28/07
T.J. Works on the Tail Fin Tip 7/9/07
Luke with Fin Number One 7/9/07
Original and New Parts Joined in the First Tail Fin Frame 7/9/07
Original and New Parts Joined in the First Tail Fin Frame 7/9/07
The Tip of the Tail Fin Frame 7/9/07
Gene Strine, Shows T.J. Radway How It’s Done 9/18/07
The First Tail Fin Tip Ready For Installation 9/18/07
T.J. Readies a Complex Leading Edge Skin Section For Attachment 9/18/07
T.J. and Luke Work on the First Fin 9/18/07
The First Tail Fin Takes Shape as the Majority of the Skin is Done 9/118/07
TJ and Luke Work on the First Fin Under the Watchful Eye of Gene Strine 9/18/07
Work Begins on the Second Fin 12/5/07
Don and Luke Work On The Frame of the Second Tail Fin 12/5/07
Don, Luke, And TJ Gang Up on The Second Tail Fin 12/5/07
TJ Radway Working on the Second Tail Fin Frame 12/5/07
Don Youngblood Works on the Second Tail Fin Frame 12/5/07
Don and Luke Work Together on a Tail Fin 12/5/07
A Bell Crank Installed in the Tail Boom 12/5/07
Right Hand Fin Takes Shape in the Shop Beside a Tail Boom 4/26/08
End On Shot of the Rudder Frame In Jig 4/26/08
Rudder Frame in Jig 4/26/08
Don Works on the Tail Boom Frame 4/26/08
Control Surface Bell Crank 4/26/08
TJ Radway Works on the Tail Boom Skin 4/26/08
Left Fin In Its Constructed Frame 4/26/08
Tail Boom In A Temporary Cradle 4/26/08
New Skin Joins Old One On Tail Boom 4/26/08
New Skin Joins Old On Tail Boom 4/26/08
Vertical Stabilizer in Construction Frame 4/26/08
Front View of Vertical Stabilizer in Construction Frame 4/26/08
Newly Donated Model Stands Beneath Left Engine Mount 4/26/08
Completed Left Vertical Fin In The Hangar 9/2/08
Completed Right Vertical Fin In The Hangar 9/2/08
20MM Cannon Removed in Preparation for the Gunsmith Restoration 9/2/08
Luke Jones and TJ Radway Work on the Horiztonal Stabilizer in the Shop Yard 9/3/08
Completed Stabilizer Fixture is Ready to Receive the Horizontal Stabilizer 9/3/08
One of the Rudder Frames Begins to Take Shape 9/3/08
Most of the Remaining Parts are Ready to Be Installed on Rudder 9/3/08
Assembly of the Horizontal Stabilizer 2/13/09
Bottom Side of Stabilizer Frame In Its Custom Built Fixture 2/13/09
Top Side of Horizontal Stabilizer 2/13/09
Water Laser Machine Cut Out of Four H-Stab Attachment Fittings 2/13/09
Two H-Stab Attachment Fittings Before Machining 2/13/09
Proof Test of Spar Extrusion Joggles 2/13/09
Top-Center Engine Mount Braces 2/13/09
Radar Operator’s Seat and Aft Glass Bubble 2/13/09
Forward Entry Ladder and Nose Wheel Enclosure 2/13/09
Swing Mount for the #2 SCR-720 Transmitter That Mounts in The Lower Cannon Bay 2/13/09
New Skin is Cut for the Horizontal Stabilizer 2/13/09
Horizontal Stabilizer is lifted into Place 3/5/09
Don Youngblood Working On The Horizontal Stabilizer 3/9/09
Work Continues On The Horizontal Stabilizer 3/9/09
Engine Cowlings Ready For Installation 4/23/09
Left Vertical Tail Fin In The Hangar 4/23/09
20MM Cannon Undergo Surface Restoration 4/23/09
Radome Removed For More Radar Work 8/26/09
Horizontal Stabilizer Skin And Ribs 8/26/09
Luke Jones Working On The Horizontal Stabilizer 8/26/09
Radio Operator Compartment Observation Bubble 8/26/09
Radio Operator Compartment Observation Bubble 8/26/09
Radio Operator Compartment Upper Shelf 8/26/09
Radio Operator Compartment Lower Shelf 8/26/09
Pair of Cowling Speed Rings Ready For Installation 8/26/09
Two New Tires For Installation 8/26/09
Work Proceeds On The Horizontal Stabilizer 8/26/09
Work Proceeds On The Horizontal Stabilizer 8/26/09
Finished Horizontal Stabilizer 3/5/10
Finished Horizontal Stabilizer 3/5/10
Original Elevator Frame 3/5/10
Original Elevator Frame 3/5/10
Gunner’s Seat Frame With Sight Pedestal 3/5/10
Elevator Takes Shape 4/4/10
Left Boom Is Placed in Position 5/13/10
Left Boom Being Placed 5/13/10
Gene Strine Inspects The Joint 5/13/10
Left Boom In Place 5/13/10
Right Boom In Place 5/13/10
Right Boom 5/13/10
Luke Jones Works Inside The Boom 5/13/10
Vertical and Horizontal Stabilizers Are Mounted 5/23/10
Vertical And Horizontal Stabilizers Are Mounted 5/23/10
Vertical And Horizontal Stabilizers Are Mounted 5/23/10
The Black Widow With Tails Attached is Pulled Out Of The Hangar By Russ Strine 6/2/10
The Black Widow With Tails Attached is Pulled Out Of The Hangar By Russ Strine 6/2/10
The Black Widow With Tails Attached is Pulled Out Of The Hangar By Russ Strine 6/2/10
6/2/10
6/2/10
6/2/10
6/2/10
6/2/10
The Black Widow On Display For The 20th Annual World War II Weekend 6/2/10
The Black Widow On Display For The 20th Annual World War II Weekend 6/2/10
6/2/10
6/2/10
R2800-65 QEC Being Readied For Temporary Installation
John Works On Wiring 3/23/11
Cowl Flap Ring 3/23/11
Wiring Harnesses Right Side Pilot’s Compartment 10/23/11
Wiring Harnesses And Connectors On Right Side Turret Compartment 10/23/11
SCR 720 Radar Antenna 10/23/11
Turret Compartment Buss Bar Junction Box Wiring 10/23/11
Gunners Cockpit Seat 10/23/11
Night Binoculars 10/23/11
Night Binoculars 10/23/11
Night Binoculars 10/23/11
Radar Operator’s Seat 10/23/11
Power Junction Box And One of The Turret Ampliidynes 10/23/11
Pilot Side Binocular Mounting Frame 10/23/11
Pilot’s Lower Instrument Panel and Wiring 10/23/11
Pilot’s Generator Control Panel 10/23/11
Inboard Side Left Hand Wheel Well Wiring 10/23/11
Connectors and Harnesses In Lower Right Turret Compartment Near Lower Rear Spar 10/23/11
LH Nacelle Battery Wiring And Connector 10/23/11
LH Side Pilot’s Compartment Wiring Installation 10/23/11
LH Nacelle Firewall and Engine Wiring Harness 10/23/11
Heater Installation and Wiring in RR Gunners Cockpit 10/23/11
Gun Turret Control Box and Wire Harness 10/23/11
Looking Aft From Gunners Cockpit 10/23/11
Junction Box and Wiring Harness RH Turret Compartment 10/23/11
External Power Receptacle 10/23/11
Circuit Breaker Panel Pilot RS 10/23/11
Electrical Shop Bench With Drawings 10/23/11
10/23/11
RS Turret Junction Box 10/23/11
Radar Wiring Harness 10/23/11
Gene “Pappy” Strine Bucking Rivets 9/20/12
Luke and Pappy Install Rivets On The Elevator Leading Edge 9/20/12
Elevator 9/20/12
Drop Tank 9/20/12
Drop Tank Awaits Restoration 9/20/12
Wiring And Hydraulics Right Rear Turret Compartment 9/20/12
Gun Compartment Showing the Two Lower 20MM Cannons 9/20/12
Cannons 9/20/12
Area Behind Instrument Panel With Armor Plate Removed 9/20/12
Nose Gear Wiring to Control Switches and Lights 9/20/12
Gunner’s Turret Control Box Mounted on RH Gunners Cockpit Wall 9/20/12
Landing Gear Selector Handle Mounted Left of Center on Pilots Sub Panel 9/20/12
Flap Control Handle 9/20/12
Bail Out Bell 9/20/12
Ammeters and Circuit Breaker Box on RH Pilots Wall 9/20/12
RH Gunners Folder Armor Plate and Cockpit Heater 9/20/12
Gunner’s LH Folding Armor Plate 9/20/12
Propeller Switch Box Ready For Installation on LS of Cockpit 9/20/12
Throttle Quadrant Awaits Being Strung Once Wiring Is Complete 9/20/12
Wiring at Instrument Panel 9/20/12
Instrument Panel 9/20/12
Voltage Regulator Box Installed on Bulkhead in Gunner’s Compartment 9/220/12
Turret Compartment Wiring 9/20/12
Wiring on LH Turret Compartment Buss 9/20/12
Wiring Harness Lower Right Fuselage 9/20/12
RH Nose Gear Door Being Fitted 9/20/12
Fitting New Leading Edge to Elevator 9/20/12
LS Gunners Movable Armor Plate 8/11/13
Night Binoculars in Stored Position 8/11/13
LS Lower Fuselage Wiring Harness 8/11/13
Completed Elevator Structure 8/11/13
Pilot’s Electrical Panel and Harness 8/11/13
Wiring RS of Turret Compartment 8/11/13
Wiring on Lower Pilot’s Instrument Panel 8/11/13
Nose Bulkhead Forward of Instrument Panel 8/11/13
Ignition Light Panel, O2 Panel and Autopilot Hydraulic Pressure Gauges RH Pilots Compartment 8/11/13
Pilot’s View of Night Binoculars 8/11/13
RH Wing Root Pulled From Storage 8/11/13
RS Gunners Wiring Harness 8/11/3
Right Wing and Spoilers 8/11/13
Right Wing Leading Edge 8/11/13
Right Wing Outboard Showing Aileron Mount and Spoilers 8/11/13
Right Wing Root and Ironwood Tree Damage 8/11/13
Sliding Track for Pilot’s Night Binoculars 8/11/13
Wiring Harness on LS of Cockpit 8/11/13
View Into RO Compartment From Aft Ladder 8/11/13
RO Compartment 8/11/13
Nose Wheel Well Forward Entry 8/11/13
Night Binoculars In Stowed Position 8/11/13
Voltage Regulator Panel 8/11/13
RH Wing Disassembly 8/11/13
RH Wing of P-61 Being Disassembled 8/11/13
Leading Edge Damage From Ironwood Trees 8/11/13
Trailing Edge And Outboard Spoilers
View of the Aft Side of the Inboard Spoiler 8/11/13
Volunteer Cleaning Debris From Oil Tank And Oil Cooler Bay 8/11/13
Inboard Spoiler Section Removed 8/11/13
Cleaning Out The Oil Tank Bay 8/11/13
Workman Drilling Off The Last Outboard Skin Panel 8/11/13
Spoilers 8/11/13
Small 22 Gallon Self Sealing Oil Tank 8/11/13
RH Nose Landing Gear Door 8/11/13
Trailing Edge Section Removed 8/11/13
Right Wing Oil Cooler Scoop 6/28/16
Right Wing Trailing Edge Parts 6/28/16
Right Wing Trailing Edge 6/28/16
Right Wing Trailing Edge and Flap Well 6/28/16
Right Rear Wing Spar In Fixture 6/28/16
Right Rear Wing Spar Build 6/28/16
Curtiss Electric Propeller Parts Prior To Assembly 6/28/16
Curtiss Electric Propeller Blades After Black Anodizing Process 6/28/16
Curtiss Electric Propeller Assembly 6/28/16
The Widow’s Web
P-61 History
The Recovery
Store and Donations
Restoration Gallery 1
Restoration Gallery 3
Restoration Gallery 4