P-61 A Black Widow aircraft color's

[remi]

Hi,

I have a few questions about the color of the P-61 A.

What was the first aircraft in de OD scheme. 

How many had the OD scheme.

Did they only flew in the pacific theater in OD.

Was the noise only white on the OD painted aircraf

 

Thanks,

Remi.

Edited September 20, 2017 by remi

[afspret]

Not an expert, but I think most of the early P-61A and A-1 models where OD/NG and I've seen pics of some A-5s in both schemes, as well as some A-10 models.  In addition, and I came across a pic of a formation flight with four a/c, one of which was OD/NG and the other three black.  

 

OD/NG painted a/c were not limited to the Pacific, they also served in the ETO, particularly with the 422nd NFS and 425th NFS based in the UK and I've seen at least one OD/NG painted a/c wearing invasion stripes on the lower side of the booms and wings.  IIRC the P-61 was deployed to the MTO late in the war, so probably most of those a/c had the all black camo.

 

As for the nose cone, once again I've seen pics of both schemes with the white/opaque nose cones, but there is also an Aeromaster decal sheet out there with one OD/NG P-61A having a black nose cone.   

Edited September 29, 2017 by afspret