Black Widow nightfighters entered service in the South Pacific in mid-1944, the prototype XP-61 having first flown in May 1942. Seen here is P-61A 42-5507; the MAAM’s example is a B model, with provision for four 1,600lb bombs or 300 US gal drop-tanks. The top turret, packing four 20mm cannon, was deleted early in the production run owing to buffetting, but was later reinstated.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Northrop P-61 Black Widow - СШАUSA - 1942

Taking shape: the port side of the fuselage pod in November 1999, with the replacement glassfibre nose fairing in place.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Northrop P-61 Black Widow - СШАUSA - 1942

The fuselage pod forward section being rebuilt in its jig at the MAAM in March 1996.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Northrop P-61 Black Widow - СШАUSA - 1942

Nearly four years on: this picture, from a similar viewpoint, shows how the fuselage pod has been skinned and the windscreens are being built up.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Northrop P-61 Black Widow - СШАUSA - 1942

Before: the stripped port inner wing section and engine nacelle awaiting restoration in November 1999.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Northrop P-61 Black Widow - СШАUSA - 1942

After: the starboard inner wing section and nacelle is almost complete.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Northrop P-61 Black Widow - СШАUSA - 1942

The nose of the P-61, showing the excellent state of preservation of the airframe after 44 years on the mountain.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Northrop P-61 Black Widow - СШАUSA - 1942

The Black Widow’s centre section after removal from the crash site. The wing leading edge at right shows some impact damage.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Northrop P-61 Black Widow - СШАUSA - 1942

P-61 Black Widow 42-39445 in situ at its 1945 crash site on Mount Cyclops, near Hollandia (now Jayapura) in New Guinea, with members of the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum recovery team in 1989. In the foreground is the tree which was unfortunately felled across the rear fuselage while unsupervised workers were clearing the site.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Northrop P-61 Black Widow - СШАUSA - 1942

Kellett KD-1 autogyro N109K awaits its turn for restoration at the museum.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Kellett KD-1 / YG-1 - СШАUSA - 1934

North American B-25J Mitchell N9456Z “Briefing Time” is the star off the collection - for the moment.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American B-25J Mitchell / PBJ-1G - СШАUSA - 1943

Unique 1964 Custer CCW-5 Channel Wing N5855V is one off the more unusual exhibits, seen here in front off the museum’s main hangar. N5855V was a STOL aircraft with 250 h.p. Continental engines utilising semi-ducted propellers which drew air through the channels at high velocity to generate extra lift.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Custer CCW-5 - СШАUSA - 1953