P-61 Black Widow Units of World War 2 (Osprey Combat Aircraft 8) [Paperback]

Warren Thompson (Author), Mark Styling (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Combat Aircraft | Publication Date: August 28, 1998

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 1940/41. 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 and twin-boomed, the Black Widow was armed with a dorsal barbette of four 0.50-in Browning machine guns and two ventrally-mounted 20 mm cannon. This volume features all the frontline users of the mighty P-61, and includes many first-hand accounts from pilots and gunners who saw action in the Pacific, Mediterranean and Western Europe.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The P-61 Black Widow is one of the most interesting aircraft of WWII. Although it did not serve in great numbers, this technologically advanced aircraft had a pioneering role as a night fighter using radar and heavy armament to intercept enemy planes... The book has an appendix of P-61 victories, units and specifications of the different variants. Illustrated with many waritme photographs, the book also includes an extensive color plate and aircraft profile section." -www.pacificwrecks.com

From the Publisher

Osprey's Combat series combines the best archival photography available with specially commissioned artworks and first hand accounts, making these books favourites amongst historians, modellers and aviation enthusiasts everywhere.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (August 28, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1855327252
• ISBN-13: 978-1855327252
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.2 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #414,221 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Color art and combat descriptions set this book apart., May 20, 1999

By 

Randy McLish (Wichita, Kansas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: P-61 Black Widow Units of World War 2 (Osprey Combat Aircraft 8) (Paperback)

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.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A thorough coverage of Black Widow operational use., April 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: P-61 Black Widow Units of World War 2 (Osprey Combat Aircraft 8) (Paperback)

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellant Resource on the P-61, November 19, 2007

By 

R. W. Huff (West Central Indiana) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: P-61 Black Widow Units of World War 2 (Osprey Combat Aircraft 8) (Paperback)

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!