The P-61 "Black Widow", built by Northrop, was the first aircraft specifically
designed as a night-fighter. In the nose, it carried radar equipment which
enabled its crew of two or three to locate enemy aircraft in total darkness
and fly into proper position to attack.
The XP-61 was flight-tested in 1942, and flew it's first operational intercept mission as a
night fighter in Europe on July 3, 1944. In the Pacific, a Black Widow claimed its first
"kill" on the night of July 6, 1944. . During World War II,
Northrop built approximately 700 P-61's.
Source and Link:
U.S.A.F. Museum.Fully assembled, Handcrafted Model Airplane with Removable
Desk Stand.
(Scale: 1/48, Length: 12", Wing Span: 16")
Click on product image for more detail.
)
