More Aircraft: P-61 Black Widow

[shadowcat1313]

one of the more interesting late war allied designs,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-61_Black_Widow

P-61 Black Widow Night Fighter

Player:

Val Char Cost
50 STR 0
13 DEX 9

20 BODY 2







4 SPD 17




3" RUN -6
0" SWIM -2
0" LEAP 0
Characteristics Cost: 66

Cost Power
Flight Systems
16 1) Twin Engine Prop Aircraft: Flight 30", x8 Noncombat, 2 Continuing Charges lasting 1 Hour each (+0) (70 Active Points); OIF Bulky (-1), Fuel Dependent (fuel is Very Common; must refuel Once per Hour; -1), Takeoff/Landing (-1), Stall Velocity 1/2 Vehicle's Maximum Combat Velocity (-1/4)
Tactical Systems
46 1) Quad Hispano M2 20mm Cannon (Nose-Mounted): RKA 4d6, +1 Increased STUN Multiplier (+1/4), Autofire (3 shots; +1/4), 500 Charges (+1) (150 Active Points); OIF Bulky (-1), Limited Arc Of Fire (0 degrees forward; Only on same horizontal level; -1), Real Weapon (-1/4)
60 2) Quad 12.7mm Machine Guns[Turret Mounted]: RKA 3d6, Autofire (10 shots; +1), 1000 Charges (+1) (135 Active Points); OIF Bulky (-1), Real Weapon (-1/4)
Electronics
6 1) SCR-720A Air Intercept Radar: Radar (Radio Group), +2 to PER Roll, Telescopic: +4 (19 Active Points); OIF Bulky Fragile (-1 1/4), Sense Affected As More Than One Sense [very common Sense] (-1/2), Custom Modifier (Real Equipment; -1/4), Custom Modifier (Maximum useful range of 5 miles; -1/4)
3 2) SCR-695 Tail Warning Radar: Detect Detection By Radar 14- (Radio Group) (8 Active Points); OIF Bulky (-1), Custom Modifier (Rear Arc only; -1/4)
4 3) Radio: Radio Perception/Transmission (Radio Group) (10 Active Points); OAF Bulky (-1 1/2), Affected As Hearing Group As Well As Radio Group (-1/4)
3 4) Identify Friend or Foe Transponder: Detect A Single Thing 14- (Unusual Group) (8 Active Points); OIF Bulky Fragile (-1 1/4)
Other Systems
7 1) Sealed Environment: LS (Safe in Intense Cold; Safe in Low Pressure/Vacuum; Self-Contained Breathing) (14 Active Points); OIF Bulky (-1)
5 2) Armored Cockpit and Fuel Tanks: +6 DEF (18 Active Points); OIF Bulky (-1), Ablative BODY Only (-1/2), Activation Roll 14- (-1/2), Real Armor (-1/4)
Weapons Options
0 1) 6 5" Rockets and 2 750# Bombs Carried underwings: Custom Power
0 2) Some Aircraft could carry 1 1000# bomb under the fuselage: Custom Power
Powers Cost: 150


Cost Skill
4 +2 with Ranged Combat (10 Active Points); OIF Bulky Fragile (-1 1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4)
1 +1 with Combat Piloting (2 Active Points); OIF Bulky Fragile (-1 1/4)
Skills Cost: 5


Cost Talent
1 Bump Of Direction (3 Active Points); OIF Bulky Fragile (-1 1/4)
1 Absolute Range Sense (3 Active Points); OIF Bulky Fragile (-1 1/4)
Talents Cost: 2

Total Character Cost: 223

Pts. Disadvantage
0 Maximum Speed [Notes: 356 MPH]
0 Cruising Speed
0 Service Ceiling [Notes: 34, 775 Feet]
0 Operational Range [Notes: 610 Miles]
0 Crew [Notes: Piloit, Gunner, Radar Operator]
Quirks and Disadvantages
10 1) Distinctive Features: Allied Night Fighter (Not Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses; Not Distinctive In Some Cultures)
15 2) Social Limitation: British Preferred the Mosquito, although the aircraft were about equal in tests (Frequently, Major)
Disadvantage Points: 25
Base Points: 200
Experience Required: 0
Total Experience Available: 0
Experience Unspent: 0

[Kristopher]

One of my favorite aircraft of that era. Awesome amount of firepower.

Two of the last kills of WWII were credited to Black Widows when Japanese pilots flew into the ocean trying to avoid them.

One nitpick - the 20mm cannons weren't nose mounted, they were mounted under the fusalage, further back.

[shadowcat1313]

I will correct the text, it shouldnt have any real effect on the firing arc will it?

[Kristopher]

I will correct the text, it shouldnt have any real effect on the firing arc will it?

Shouldn't, no.

In an alternate world, they used something more like the late proposed escort fighter variant, with just 2 crew in a less unusual fusalage layout, the radar still in the nose, and without the turret...would have been quite a bit faster in all likelihood.

[lemming]

I liked the Tigercat, which I got to "fly" in one of the Sierra fighter games.

[shadowcat1313]

theres at least one Tigercat still flying, it finished pretty well at the Reno Air Races this year actually, there isnt a flying black widow currently

[gewing]

I liked the Tigercat, which I got to "fly" in one of the Sierra fighter games.


Which one? I have been wanting such a game, and I like the Tigercat a LOT. :D

[Beast]

2x1 hr fuel charges?

site had it with an endurance of 8 hrs

[lemming]

Which one? I have been wanting such a game, and I like the Tigercat a LOT. :D

Aces of the Pacific I think. It's a really old one at this point. (It worked so much better on the 486 than the 386...)

[shadowcat1313]

Janes gives it a range of 610 miles, top speed of 356.... thats how I figured it

[Evil Steve]

My favorite plane in Combat Flight Sim II. Its just fun, and friggin' huge.

[egaroadkill]

My uncle flew the P-61 in WWII. He said it was a great plane to fly. Later, during the Korean War he flew the F-82 Twin Mustang with one of his buddies having the first air to air kill of the war.

There's currently an effort to get a 61 flying again and they just recently put one on display at the new Aerospace meseum at Dullas in DC.
http://www.maam.org/p61.html

[Beast]

as in opperational range
that means how far out it can go before needing to turn back
also speed given would be max
cruising speed would be 1/2 to 2/3 of max and is generally 80%of the time what the plane will be flying at


Janes gives it a range of 610 miles, top speed of 356.... thats how I figured it