W.T. LARKINS PHOTO
No. 7718. Northrop RF-61C Reporter (N9768Z c/n 3201) Aero Enterprises "Pregnant Widow"
Photographed at Fresno, California, USA, November 9, 1965
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04/30/2008. Derived from the P-61C Black Widow, the photo-reconnaissance version, capable of carrying up to 6 aerial cameras, was designated F-15, and the
USAAF ordered 175 examples. As it transpired, only 36 F-15A’s were constructed from partially completed P-61C airframes, before the contract was
unexpectedly terminated in 1947. "I am sure this is correct as far as the paper work is concerned but I don't think the plane ever left Sunnyvale, as I have a note that it was bought surplus from the NACA Ames Lab as it was being junked. I first noted it in September 1955 at San Jose airport, a few miles down the road from Moffett Field and I am sure it was either towed down there or trucked. By November 25, 1955 it had no engines and no canopy, It was rebuilt at San Jose and it had a T-33 canopy installed."
It was sold to Steward-Davis of Gardenia, registered as N5093V. Later it was
acquired by Compañía Mexicana Aerofoto, Sociedad Anónima of Mexico, and registered XB-FUJ it was used for aerial photography. Aero Enterprises, Inc, Fresno, California bought the aircraft in 1964 and converted it into a flying
tanker by fitting a 1,600 gal (6,057 l) chemical tank to the belly. It was registered N9768Z and listed as aerial tanker number E-35. |
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Created April 30, 2008