USAF A-61D Black Widow, South Vietnam c.1966-COMPLETE PICS & BACKSTORY

[AeroplaneDriver]

Finally finished pics and backstory done. 

At the end of WW2 an order for over 400 P-61Cs was cancelled, leaving the Black Widow an "orphan fleet" that faded from US service by the 50s.  But what if...?


With some doubts at the Pentagon about new jet aircraft in development the order for 434 P-61C was reduced to 284 aircraft to maintain a stop-gap type that could serve as a night fighter alongside the P-82 Twin Mustang, and also fill a ground attack role.  This move proved to be lucky decision when the F-84 Thunderjet suffered a series of setbacks in development and required significant redesign.  With a gap in the USAF inventory 179 F-61s were converted to a ground attack role as the A-61D and saw extensive service in Korea. 

Post-Korea the A-61 fleet was steadily replaced by jet types, including the delayed F-84.  As these aircraft became surplus their record in Korea led USAF to eye the platform as a potential Special Operations aircraft. The A-61E entered service in 1961, with the addition of an M-61 Vulcan rotary cannon in the nose in place of the radar.  The area that accommodated the 4-gun dorsal turret in earlier P-61s was equipped with a fuel tank and an ammunition magazine for the Vulcan, allowing the Black Widow to carry over 4,000 rounds of ammunition, enough for 40 seconds of firing time.  This was a massive increase in firepower, in addition to the four belly mounted 20mm cannon that were retained in all A-61s. 

Like the D model, the E had six wing hardpoints, two inboard of the engines that could accommodate external fuel tanks or a bomb load 1,500lb, and four outboard of the engines, the inner rated at 1,500lb and the outer at 500lb.  of Three crew stations were retained in later A-61s, but in practice only two crew members were routinely carried, and the aircraft could be operated by a single pilot. 

As US involvement in Vietnam increased in the early 60s a number of A-61s operated under the CIA during Operation Farm Gate.  As the USAF entered the conflict A-61s served with the 1st Air Commando Squadron and 602 Air Commando Squadron. 

This model depicts an A-61E of 1 Air Commando Squadron at Pleiku in South Vietnam in early 1966.  It carries a typical load of 2 BLU-27 Napalm bombs on the inner pylons, Triple Ejector Racks on the inner outboard pylons, each carrying 2 Mk.82 bombs, in this case retarded Snakeyes on one side and "Daisy Cutters" on the other with fuse extenders.  The outer pylons carry LAU-3 rocket pods. 

This aircraft was damaged by ground fire while flying a "Sandy" mission supporting the rescue of an F-100 pilot who had been shot down.  Fortunately, it managed to return to Pleiku where it was deemed damaged beyond repair and scrapped.  The crew received the Air Force Cross for their actions during this operation. 

[sandiego89]

Wow! great job

[NARSES2]

Wow! great job

Agreed    Also made me realise just how big the Vulcan cannon was/is

[Old Wombat]

Absolutely brilliant build, & the story reads really well & makes sense! Fantastic!      

[AeroplaneDriver]

Wow! great job

Agreed    Also made me realise just how big the Vulcan cannon was/is

I cant honestly claim the Vulcan is to scale.  It's size is dictated by the tubing I had available.  I feel it is a bit overscale. 

[Doug K]

That looks so good!

[NARSES2]

I cant honestly claim the Vulcan is to scale.  It's size is dictated by the tubing I had available.  I feel it is a bit overscale. 

Noted 

[su27rules]

                      

[zenrat]

Good job mate.
 

[Captain Canada]

Woah ! That is perfect ! Such a good looking machine from the get go, and this only makes her look even better ! One of my favourite eras for camo and weaponry. Nailed it again Nick !

[Glenn Gilbertson]

Very believable and superb modelling!

[kerick]

This has been on my to do list for a long time! You beat me to it! Very well done!
Which kit is that?

[Rick Lowe]

This has been on my to do list for a long time! You beat me to it! Very well done!
Which kit is that?

HobbyBoss 1/72 - see page 1. 

Nice work there, A-D. 

[kerick]

I've got a Monogram 1/48 in the stash. Biggest problem is where to put it when finished!

[Wardukw]

I've got a Monogram 1/48 in the stash. Biggest problem is where to put it when finished!

Exact same thing as me Ken ....same model ..same scale ..same space issues