F-15A-5 Reporter. F-15 из 8-й фоторазведывательной эскадрильи были задействованы в послевоенной картографической программе (эскадрилья тогда базировалась в Японии). Подразделение F-15A, включая "45-59323", вело картографирование районов Филиппин и острова Сулавеси (Целебес), в частности - фотографировало так называемый "маршрут смерти на Батане" (материалы использовались на процессе против военных преступников).

After seven years of sterling service south of the border the Reporter returned to the USA in 1964 to be overhauled by Steward-Davis at Long Beach, where it is seen here after a comprehensive paint-stripping and bearing its new registration, N9768Z, on the booms.

A pilot of Aero Enterprises poses beside the Reporter in its distinctive new colour scheme of yellow, white and bare metal in July 1964. Note the rather inelegant 1,600 US gal belly tank installed beneath the fuselage.

With power all the way up, the Reporter begins its take-off roll at Porterville, California, during August 1968, by which time the aircraft was operating with TBM Inc and the yellow parts of the colour scheme had been replaced with vivid red. The following month the aircraft’s flying career came to an end during a take-off accident.

The sole Northrop F-15 Reporter to see service in private hands, the first production model, 45-59300, is seen here in its final red, white and bare-metal scheme at the US Forest Service’s Fresno Air Attack base in July 1967. The Reporter was based on the P-61 Black Widow, retaining the latter’s wings, powerplants and twin booms,

Four Black Widows and a Reporter prepare to depart Clinton County AAF. Note other Operation Thunderstorm aircraft in the background, including Flying Fortresses and Skymasters.

Четыре P-61C и один F-15 сфотографированы на аэродроме Всепогодного авиацентра, штат Огайо, перед полетом в "глаз" циклона (1947 год). Самолеты входили в циклон с разными временными интервалами и замеряли температуру, скорость и давление воздуха, а также проводили фотографирование. Краска с носового фюзеляжного обтекателя головного самолета сильно облезла.

The Northrop XP-61E with redesigned central nacelle which became the prototype for the XF-15 Reporter.

XP-61E

The Northrop F-15 Reporter;

A Northrop crew chief attends to the camera window of an F-15A Reporter.

This photograph of one of the XF-15s shows the low frontal area of the central nacelle compared with the comparatively large area of the Double Wasp radial engines.

The two-man crew of a prototype XF-15 preparing to fly the 66ft-span aircraft. Production aircraft carried six cameras in the central nacelle but 24 alternative combinations were possible, according to the duty to be performed. The F-15 had a range of 4,200 miles and a top speed of 440 m.p.h.

The second XF-15 prototype was a modified P-61C note the turbo-supercharger air intakes beneath the Pratt & Whitney Double Wasp R-2800-C radial engines.

Хороший в целом самолет F-15 на момент поступления в войска уже устарел. На фотографии - прототип XF-15A, переоборудованный из P-61.
Another view of the second XF-15. Though 175 Reporters were ordered, only 36 F-15As were built.
Based upon the P-61 Black Widow, Northrop's F-15 Reporter was rather more attractive than its forebear.

The Northrop F-15A Reporter Long-range Photographic-Reconnaissance Monoplane.

In February 1948 F-15A serial 45-59300 was sent to Moffett Field in California to test various advanced swept-wing designs by dropping recoverable aerodynamic test bodies from high altitude. A P-61C, 43-8330, was also used in the trials and is now on display at the Smithsonian Institution’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

Оба члена экипажа разведчика F-15 Reporter имели великолепный обзор из кабины. Для своего времени подвижный сегмент фонаря кабины являлся самым большим монолитным изделием из плексигласа. Самолет спроектировали на основе P-61C, добавив одного члена экипажа и удлинив фюзеляж под размещение фотооборудования.
Although similar in outline to the P-61 Black Widow, the F-15 had a completely revised central nacelle with provision for two crew and a large battery of cameras. The huge Plexiglas bubble canopy gave the crew 360 vision.

F-15A "Репортер"

First civilian Northrop F-15A Reporter, ex-U.S.A.F. and now surplus to N.A.C.A. Laboratory requirements. Currently at San Jose Municipal Airport undergoing Restricted Certification overhaul and modification for high-altitude photo-survey duties.

The Reporter at Long Beach following its ferry flight from San Jose in July 1956. The Steward-Davis team had given the aircraft an all-over coat of yellow-green anti-corrosion zinc chromate and sprayed its new civil registration, N5093V, rather crudely on the booms.

CIVILIAN NORTHROP REPORTER (N5093V) ex-4559300, was U.S.A.F. F-15A Reporter used by N.A.C.A. Now being rebuilt at Torrance (Calif.) with parts of an EF-61C, 43-8357.

In late 1956 the F-15A was sold to a new owner in Mexico, Cia Mexicana Aerofoto, with which it served as XB-FUJ in a flamboyant red and white colour scheme. It is seen here awaiting another sortie in March 1957.

The crumpled remains of the Reporter at Hollister after its accident in September 1968. Fortunately the pilot, Ralph Ponte, was able to escape from the wreckage with only minor injuries. The aircraft never flew again, and thus the civil career of the Reporter drew to a close after a very creditable 20 years of service.