P-61 Black Widow Units of World War 2

by Warren Thompson

Book Overview

The first aircraft to be purposely designed as a radar-equipped nightfigher, Northrop's P-61 Black Widow was heavily influenced by early RAF combat experience with radar-equipped aircraft in the years 1940/41 of World War II (1939-1945). Built essentially around the bulky Radiation Laboratory SCR-720 radar, which was mounted in the aircraft's nose, the P-61 proved to be the largest fighter ever produced for frontline service by the USAAF. Twin-engined...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1855327252
• ISBN13: 9781855327252
• Release Date: August 1998
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (UK)
• Length: 100 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 7.3" x 9.8"

Customer Reviews

An Excellant Resource on the P-61

If you are looking for a book highly detailed on the P-61 then check this book out! It is full of detailed information on every aspect of the P-61. From the information about it's use in each major theater to the details on the different color schemes, and nose art. There are also many pictures throughout, several pictures I had never seen before. Finally there are thorough accounts of the crews who flew the P-61, and even details of their flight suits. Besides all this, you can't beat the price!

Color art and combat descriptions set this book apart.

This book covers P-61 operations and all units. It includes excellent color art, many photos and descriptions of combat. Mr. Thompson begins with a brief "prelude to combat" including comments from Northrop test pilot John Meyers. Next we move to chapters on the various areas in which the Black Widow served, beginning with the European Theatre of Operations. Contained within each theatre chapter are many "in theatre" photographs and combat recollections. Then comes a full color art section of both "nose art" and entire aircraft. Chapters on Mediterranean, Pacific and China/Burma/India theatres follow. An interesting revelation in the Pacific chapter is the clever use of floatplanes by the Japanese to attempt to decoy P-61's from more important targets. The book is completed with "Kill" listings, scale drawings and explanations of the artwork. If you want an operational overview of the P-61 Black Widow you wouldn't go wrong with this book.

A thorough coverage of Black Widow operational use.

Among the very few books dealing with this little known night fighter, this book does a really good job collecting anecdotes and previously unpublished photos. Thompson divides the book by combat theaters making it easy for a modeler to find his/her favorite subjects. The color plates are well done and the nose art details very helpful. If one combines this book (useful for reseach of aircraft markings) with the Warbird Tech series P-61 book (useful for detailed close-ups and type developements), you have a pretty complete reference set on this small chapter of WWII aerial combat history. Recommended.