Northop P61-B "Black Widow"

Hi Erich,
I have just come across this site.
I am have been researching the events surrounding the demise of Hudson T-9463 for the past 12 years, in fact I am related to the pilot, Sq Leader Reginald Wilkinson. I have given many similarly minded researchers my material and most of what you read about the crash originates from that work.

Most recently I have been looking at how T-9463 was shot down and have arrived at the same conclusion as you. Fortunately there is much more information on the internet than when I started. I have checked the Luftwaffe night-fighter kills for that period and there was nothing claimed on the night in question. However, 422 NFS claimed one kill in the approximate vicinity of what I predict was T-9463's return flight path. On leaving the 161 Squadron base at RAF Tempsford in Bedfordshire T-9463 flew SSW and crossed the English coast at Littlehampton (close to the squadron's other base) and then south to the French coast where it flew east to the region of Erfurt and succesfully dropped the agent. 422 NFS's report for the early morning of 27 November details the patrol area of aircraft 5573 to be very close to the outgoing flight path of T-9463 and similar for the likely return flightpath. The pilot of A/C 5573 was Lt Herman E. Ernst and his radio operator Robert E. Tierney. They report that they engaged an Me.110 (not an HE.111) at Angels 3 and engaged it until it was seen going straight down, burning, into low overcast cloud. The Hudson III was very similar to the Me.110. Ernst is now classified as an 'ace' with five kills plus one V1 to his name.

In two weeks time (on the 67th anniversay of the crash) I shall be visiting the crash site with members of the family and members of the local commune who have established a small memorial to the crew.

The crashed plane was found the following morning within Allied territory. I have been unable to find any records of ground troops claiming any aircraft - I suspect they were too busy with what was happening at the time on the ground!
If anyone has any other thoughts or ideas I'd welcome them.
All the best,
Steve

 

Anyone wanting Leather AAF Night Fighter squadron patches made to go on a flight jacket or compliment a model display , contact me , I can make any one of them of the WW2 USAAF types...........................
Johnny
WeBeEmblems@aol.com

 

Good colour film of Northrop P-61 Black Widow Night Fighters.

The middle of the film has to night time gun camera film stock. Interesting perspective on tracers for sure!

Thanks to: http://www.youtube.com/user/ZenosWarbirds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDUHjD0MLqY