Topic: V-8 Times Correction Oct 2011

TonyM	-- 10-12-2011 @ 7:37 PM
	As an historian specializing in aviation during the Second World War, I have really enjoyed the multi-part V-8 Times series of articles "Ford at War." I must point out that the caption on page 75 of the September/October 2011 issue of the V-8 Times identifying a photograph of a WWII aircraft as a Curtiss C-46 is in error. The airplane is in fact a Douglas C-47. Anthony J. Mireles Calumet City, Illinois RG69 . . . . . . . This message was edited by TonyM on 10-12-11 @ 9:27 PM
wrosenkrans	-- 10-13-2011 @ 8:43 AM
	I had noticed that as well. Also, the plane they identify as a P-61 Black Widow is actually a picture of the little known F-15 Reporter, a 2-man reconnaissance version of the P-61 and not the more familiar P-61 C night fighter. Only 36 of the Reporter were built. Wayne & Barb '42 Super De Luxe Tudor
TonyM	-- 10-13-2011 @ 10:06 AM
	If I remember correctly, the Northrop F-15 Reporter was actually developed off of the XP-61E (which is a redesignated P-61B and P-61C) and the planes were later redesignated F-15 and then RF-61C. Anyways, the airplane is still essentially a modified P-61, since all F-15/XP-61E have P-61B/C serial numbers. Thanks for the help. Tony This message was edited by TonyM on 10-13-11 @ 10:23 AM
v8teditor	-- 10-13-2011 @ 11:22 AM
	P-61 Gee. That'll teach me to trust Google: http://aviationtrivia.blogspot.com/2010/12/27-years-before-eagle-was-first-f-15.html
TonyM	-- 10-13-2011 @ 1:37 PM
	V-8 Editor: In a general sense, the caption for the P-61 is correct (or semi-correct) because the F-15 aircraft was based on P-61 airframes. There was no dedicated F-15 production line or serial number block. In fact, many famous WWII airplanes have been converted to Photo-Recon like the P-61/F-15. Example: the photo-recon version of the P-38 is F-4 and F-5; the photo recon version of the P-51 is F-6; the photo recon version of the B-25 is F-10; the B-17 photo recon model is designated F-9, photo recon B-24 is F-7; B-29 is F-13, and so on. There was no dedicated production line or serial number blocks for these modified recon airplanes (they are existing airplane types that are modified for the task of photo recon). The most notable exception would be the P-38/F-4/F-5 variants. If I remember correctly, all F-15 serial numbers are actually P-61B/C serial numbers. This info can be verified on the Joe Baugher Army Air Forces serial number search engine/data base for those who are interested. So anyways, you were not really far off the mark by describing that aircraft as a P-61 (after a quick initial glance, I thought that it was the YP-61, the in service experimental version of the P-61). Anthony J. Mireles FATAL ARMY AIR FORCES AVIATION ACCIDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES, 1941-1945 www.warbirdcrash.com This message was edited by TonyM on 10-13-11 @ 3:05 PM
wrosenkrans	-- 10-14-2011 @ 7:15 AM
	I thought it was the YP-61 too when I first looked at it. Tony's right, you're not far off calling it a P-61, only a couple heavy-duty WWII aviation buffs would know the subtle differences. By the way, this issue of the V-8 times is just wonderful. I love the cars, but the context your other articles put them in makes the period come alive. Even my wife read this issue cover-to-cover, keep up the fine work. Wayne & Barb '42 Super De Luxe Tudor
Chevguy49Ford	-- 10-14-2011 @ 4:29 PM
	I don't have my copy yet. Cheers, Scott. 1949 Custom Tudor. http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e42/35thLE/49016.jpg

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