World War II Database

1.  Bill says:
26 Jul 2010 09:31:56 AM

Northrop P-61 was designed as a nightfighter
served in Europe and the Pacific.

The C-model had a top speed of 430mph, armed with four 20mm cannons and four .50 caliber machine guns, carried on-board radar, and
was able to carry 6,000lbs of bombs.

2.  Bill says:
13 Aug 2010 08:09:50 PM

Another role for the P-61 was that of night intruder, the Black Widow would orbit over
enemy airfields waiting for aircraft to
take-off or land, and then shoot them down.

The aircraft was also capable of carrying
bombs and rockets for close support and
anti-shipping missions.

P-61 Night Fighters operated in the Pacific,
Europe, Mediterranean and the (CBI) Theater
China-Burma-India.

3.  BILL says:
13 Jul 2015 08:34:08 PM

LADY IN THE DARK:

Much published photograph of a Northrop YP-61 with 2 x .50 cal. guns in the upper turret.
Later models of the P-61 Black Widow operated in Europe, the Pacific, Mediterranean and the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theatres of Operation.

4.  Bill says:
10 Nov 2015 01:13:59 PM

NIGHT STALKER:

Northrop P-61 photographed flying over Tampa Bay, Florida. The Black Widow operated in the
(CBI) China, Burma and India theater's of operation, but also operated in Europe and the Mediterranean as well.
This model is armed w/2 x 50 caliber machine guns in its upper turret. the P-61 also carried a upper dorsal four-gun turret w/450 rounds per gun, with four 20mm cannons in the belly w/800 rounds. More than enough ammo to destroy an enemy target.

5.  Bill says:
10 Nov 2015 01:41:07 PM

WAR IS STRANGE: BELIEVE IT OR NOT

Northrop P-61 shoots down Boeing B-29 "The City Of Osceola" returning from a raid over Japan the B-29 damaged by flak killing the pilot, the rest of the crew jumped and were rescued.
The P-61 crew was instructed to shoot down the bomber as it was flying back toward Japan. Using the last of its ammo, 450 rounds the bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean

6.  Bill says:
25 Jan 2016 07:44:00 PM

STING OF THE WIDOW:

P-61 crews bore-sighted the 4 x .50 caliber machine guns at 600 yards and the 4 x 20mm cannons at 300 yards.

NIGHT FIGHTING MARINES:

Did you know that the P-61 was operated by the
US Marines Twelve a/c were transferred and were used to train Marine crews in radar intercept's before they were assigned to the new Grumman F7F Tigercat night fighter.

LAST KILLS: AUGUST 14/15 1945

P-61B "Lady in the Dark of the 548th night fighter squadron forced a Nakajima Ki-43 Oscar
into the ocean without firing a round.

WWII ended at 0800 hours on August 15,1945
Lady a second kill night of 14/15 forced a
Nakajima Ki-44 Tojo into the ocean without firing a round.