Queen of the Midnight Skies: The Story of America's Air Force Night Fighters (Schiffer Military History) (Hardcover)

by Ronal C. Harrison (Author), Garry R. Pape (Author)

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Product Description
This new book chronicles not only the aptly named P-61 ""Black Widow"", but also the Douglas P-70 series, the P-38 night fighter variants, the Bristol Beaufighter, B-25s and the DeHavilland Mosquito - the proposed XA-26A and the P-39 nightfighters are also

Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. (October 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0887404154
• ISBN-13: 978-0887404153
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #728,061 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good reference on the P-61 and other USAAF night fighters., October 25, 1999

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

Here is a thorough history of American Army Air Force night fighters (the forerunners of all-weather fighters) in WW II. The book begins with a history of American airbone radar development, then moves on to the aircraft to carry the radar. The authors cover the "interim" night fighter aircraft: the P-70s (modified A-20s), the field modified P-38s and their combat usage. Night fighter concept aircraft are also discussed, including a little known Bell P-39 night fighter mockup and the Douglas XA-26A. It would have been interesting to know the performance (or anticipated performance) of this aircraft as it was a potential competitor of the P-61. Crew training is covered and it is amazing that with all the reorganization that went on anyone had time to fight a war. Lacking a suitable aircraft (while waiting for the P-61) the Americans attempted to arrange a reverse "lend-lease" program whereby the British provided Bristol Beaufighters (the Yanks hated the "Bristol Bastard"), and later DeHaviland Mosquitos. The British were good at making commitments to do this but rather poor in actually following through. The Northrop P-61 Black Widow (ostensibly the Queen of the title) was America's purpose built night fighter and its development and usage are well covered. This information alone would make the book worth the purchase price. An interesting point involving the P-61's combat usage is that RAF Mosquitos intercepted P-61s (a distinctive plane unlike any German aircraft the "Mossies" might be expecting) and fired on them, apparently on a number of occasions. There is no evidence of reverse mistakes from the American P-61s. Also included are a wealth of photos, unit statistics and ending the book is a comprehensive bibliography. This book makes an excellent companion to author Gary Pape's other book on the P-61 ("Northrop P-61 The Complete History and Combat Record") and is possibly the definitive work on USAAF night fighting aircraft and men.