P-61 Black Widow
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P-61 Black Widow twin engined world war two aircraft of the US Air Force in aviation art print of the P-61 Black Widow by aviation artist Nicholas Trudgian, and Stan Stokes available from the aviation art print company.

The Northrop P-61 Black Widow was the USAAFs first modern fighter aircraft which was specifically designed from the start to serve in the night fighter capacity. Designed by Jack Knudson Northrop, this aircraft was quite innovative. The Armys initial requirements for this night interceptor made no mention of radar, but stated that the aircraft would carry a device which would locate enemy aircraft in the dark. The P-61 indeed utilized radar, and about seven hundred of these large twin-engine aircraft were built. The recommendation to pursue development of an aircraft of this type came about from the recommendations of a special commission which visited Great Britain during the Battle of Britain. The commission identified the need for an effective night fighter capability to deter enemy night bombing raids. Although the first prototype flew in May of 1942, the Black Widow did not enter front-line service until 1944. The P-61 was the largest and most powerful fighter aircraft of WW II. The Black Widows bite was mean because of its four cannons and four machine guns. With a wingspan of sixty-six feet and a length of nearly fifty feet, this large aircraft was powered by twin 18-cylinder Double Wasp radial engines, capable of 2,000-HP each. The B model of the P-61 was capable of speeds in the 365-MPH range, and had an incredible range of 3,000 miles. This great range gave the P-61 added benefits in the Pacific theater of operations. The P-61 utilized 4-bladed, variable pitch props, and incorporated a tricycle landing gear configuration. With its distinctive double tail configuration, the Black Widow had a roughly similar appearance to the P-38 Lightning, which was sometimes utilized in the night fighter role prior to the P-61 becoming available. The XP-61 prototype took to the air in May of 1942, and the aircraft exhibited a maximum speed of 380 MPH. Despite good results from the initial flights, the P-61 took a long time to enter production. In July of 1943 the Army organized the 481st Night Fighter Operational Training Group at Orlando Field in Florida. This unit completed service tests on pre-production Black Widows, and was responsible for training flight crews. In his spectacular moon-lit painting entitled Bite of the Black Widow, aviation artist Stan Stokes depicts the P-61 flown by Major Carroll C. Smith of the 418th Squadron of the Fifth Air Force. Smith was one of two pilots in WW II to attain ace status in the Black Widow. Smith obtained a total of seven night victories. His first two were obtained while flying a night-fighter version of the P-38. Four of Smiths victories in the P-61 came on two missions during one evening in December 1944. 


1 Discount Two-Print Pack Available on These Editions, Including :

Buy With :
Twilight Conquest by Nicolas Trudgian.
for £190

Save £35 !

Bite of the Black Widow by Stan Stokes.

The Northrop P-61 Black Widow was the USAAFs first modern fighter aircraft which was specifically designed from the start to serve in the night fighter capacity. Designed by Jack Knudson Northrop, this aircraft was quite innovative. The Armys initial requirements for this night interceptor made no mention of radar, but stated that the aircraft would carry a device which would locate enemy aircraft in the dark. The P-61 indeed utilized radar, and about seven hundred of these large twin-engine aircraft were built. The recommendation to pursue development of an aircraft of this type came about from the recommendations of a special commission which visited Great Britain during the Battle of Britain. The commission identified the need for an effective night fighter capability to deter enemy night bombing raids. Although the first prototype flew in May of 1942, the Black Widow did not enter front-line service until 1944. The P-61 was the largest and most powerful fighter aircraft of WW II. The Black Widows bite was mean because of its four cannons and four machine guns. With a wingspan of sixty-six feet and a length of nearly fifty feet, this large aircraft was powered by twin 18-cylinder Double Wasp radial engines, capable of 2,000-HP each. The B model of the P-61 was capable of speeds in the 365-MPH range, and had an incredible range of 3,000 miles. This great range gave the P-61 added benefits in the Pacific theater of operations. The P-61 utilized 4-bladed, variable pitch props, and incorporated a tricycle landing gear configuration. With its distinctive double tail configuration, the Black Widow had a roughly similar appearance to the P-38 Lightning, which was sometimes utilized in the night fighter role prior to the P-61 becoming available. The XP-61 prototype took to the air in May of 1942, and the aircraft exhibited a maximum speed of 380 MPH. Despite good results from the initial flights, the P-61 took a long time to enter production. In July of 1943 the Army organized the 481st Night Fighter Operational Training Group at Orlando Field in Florida. This unit completed service tests on pre-production Black Widows, and was responsible for training flight crews. In his spectacular moon-lit painting entitled Bite of the Black Widow, aviation artist Stan Stokes depicts the P-61 flown by Major Carroll C. Smith of the 418th Squadron of the Fifth Air Force. Smith was one of two pilots in WW II to attain ace status in the Black Widow. Smith obtained a total of seven night victories. His first two were obtained while flying a night-fighter version of the P-38. Four of Smiths victories in the P-61 came on two missions during one evening in December 1944.

Signed limited edition of 4750 prints. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.. Price £40.00

Special Offer Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer



Signed limited edition of 225 prints. Size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm). Price £75.00

Signed by USAF Col. Leonard Hall - instructor and pilot of the P-61 Black Widow.

Special Offer Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer


Special Offer Save £5 on selected prints - Was £80


Limited edition of 25 giclee paper prints. Size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm). Price £109.00

Special Offer Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer



Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 45 inches x 30 inches (114cm x 76cm). Price £624.00

Special Offer Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer



Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £484.00

Special Offer Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer



Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm). Price £294.00

Special Offer Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer



ITEM CODE STK0032


2 Discount Two-Print Packs and
1 Discount Multi-Print Pack
Available on These Editions, Including :

Buy With :
Bite of the Black Widow by Stan Stokes. (B)
for £190

Save £35 !

Buy With :
Checkertail Clan by Nicolas Trudgian
for £260

Save £45 !

Twilight Conquest by Nicolas Trudgian.

The Black Widow is a formidable creature. It lurks in the dark, carefully chooses its moment of attack and strikes unseen, cutting down its prey with deadly certainty. Northrop could not have chosen a more apt name with which to christen their new night fighter when the P61 Black Widow entered service in the spring of 1944. The first aircraft designed from the start as a night fighter, the P61 had the distinction of pioneering airborne radar interception during World War II, and this remarkable twin engined fighter saw service in the ETO, in China, the Marianas and the South West Pacific. Under the command of Lt Col O B Johnson, one of the P61s greatest exponents, the 422nd Night Fighter Squadron was the leading P61 outfit in the ETO, destroying 43 enemy aircraft in the air, 5 buzz bombs and hundreds of ground based vehicles, becoming the most successful night fighter squadron of the war. Flying a twilight mission in his P-61 Black Widow on October 24, 1944, Colonel Johnson and his radar operator have picked up a formation of three Fw190s, stealthily closing on their quarry in the gathering dusk, O.B. makes one quick and decisive strike, bringing down the enemy leader with two short bursts of fire. Banking hard, as the Fw190 pilot prepares to bale out, he brings his blazing guns to bear on a second Fw190, the tracer lighting up the fuselage of his P-61.

Limited edition of 600 prints. Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm). Price £150.00

Signed by Lieutenant Colonel Herman Ernst, Major Robert Graham, Major General Oris B Johnson and First Lieutenant Bob Tierney, in addition to the artist.

Special Offer Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer



Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm). Price £210.00

Signed by Lieutenant Colonel Herman Ernst, Major Robert Graham, Major General Oris B Johnson and First Lieutenant Bob Tierney, in addition to the artist.

Special Offer Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer



Limited edition of 50 remarques. Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm). Price £325.00

Signed by Lieutenant Colonel Herman Ernst, Major Robert Graham, Major General Oris B Johnson and First Lieutenant Bob Tierney, in addition to the artist.


** (Ex Display) Limited edition of 600 prints. (Two copies reduced to clear) Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm). Price £110.00

Signed by Lieutenant Colonel Herman Ernst, Major Robert Graham, Major General Oris B Johnson and First Lieutenant Bob Tierney, in addition to the artist.


ITEM CODE DHM2036

The Last to Fight by Craig Kodera.

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Signed limited edition of 1000 prints. SOLD
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The Last to Fight by Craig Kodera.

The Northrop P-61 Black Widow was the first U.S. aircraft designed specifically as a night fighter, and this P-61B was credited with the last two aerial kills of the World War II. Lady in the Dark was the most famous Black Widow of the 548th Night Fighter Squadron. Her nose art included a cat with a flashlight in one hand and a gun in the other, which was the emblem of the 548th, and the lady herself who made quite a striking contrast against the fighters black paint. The P-61B flew its missions after dark, but it was often launched at sunset, a fact I used to my advantage. I wanted to show the aircraft at its best. The colors on the horizon, on the plane, and in the moon make the image majestic and mysterious.

Signed limited edition of 1000 prints. Image size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm). Price £


ITEM CODE AX0061

 

 

SHOWCASE PRODUCT

EDITIONS

Special Offer Pack of All Four Prints Price : £400

Summer Harvest by Gerald Coulson Price : £165

Operation Chastise - The Night They Broke the Dams by Ivan Berryman Price : £95

Third Time Lucky by Ivan Berryman Price : £110

The Dambusters by Simon Smith Price : £155

ARTIST
Featured Artist - Ivan Berryman



Art and aviation have been like a brother and sister to me. We have grown up together, learned together and made our adult lives together. But you do not have to have an appreciation of aircraft to admire the graceful lines of a Spitfire or the functional simplicity of a Focke-Wulf 190. They are themselves a work of art and they cry out to be painted - not as machines of war and destruction, but as objects of beauty, born of necessity and function, yet given a life and iconic classicism beyond their original calling. My interest and love of art and aircraft was gifted to me by my father, a designer and aeronautical engineer of considerable repute. Denis Berryman C.Eng. FRAeS. He gave me his eyes, his passion, his dedication and his unwavering professionalism. I owe him everything. And I miss him terribly. A love of art and of beautiful and interesting things takes you on a journey. You discover new interests, new fascinations, and you want to paint them. You want to paint them in their environment, in their element. Whether it is an aeroplane, a warship, a racing car or a beautiful woman, their gift to an artist is the same: Their lines, their texture and the way that light and shadows give them form. These are the food and oxygen of an artist. Not the paint and the canvas. These are mere tools. The secret is in the passion and the perception.

Dambuster Discount Print Pack



Save £125 on this specially selected pack of Dambusters aviation art prints. All four prints for £400, giving collectors these prints at trade discounted prices!

This pack of aviation art prints includes 4 separate prints, at a highly discounted price when purchased in this special pack. The prints included in the pack are :

Summer Harvest by Gerald Coulson,
Operation Chastise - The Night They Broke the Dams by Ivan Berryman,
Third Time Lucky by Ivan Berryman
and
The Dambusters by Simon Smith.

In all, the prints have 10 different signatures (13 in total) of pilots and aircrew of the Dambusters raid.

Click the 'Special Offer Pack' Edition to order.

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