P-61 Black Widow Nightfighters of World War 2 PDF Download

Author: Warren Thompson
Publisher:
ISBN: 9788483724477
Category : World War, 1939-1945
Languages : en
Pages : 61

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Author: Maurer Maurer
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 1428915850
Category : United States
Languages : en
Pages : 520

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Author: Warren Thompson
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1782007407
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 100

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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.

Author: Garry R. Pape
Publisher: Schiffer Pub Limited
ISBN: 9780887404153
Category : Night fighter planes
Languages : en
Pages : 368

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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 discussed. Historical accounts of American night fighter pilots, as well as the complets history of all night fighter squadrons formed during World War II are included, as is the development of radar and modern air defenses. This book is the product of over twenty years of study and research. Its sources include the National Archives, Northrop Aircraft archived, the U.S. Air Force Museum, the Imperial War Museum, the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum and interviews with P-61 test pilots, designers and engineers. Garry Pape's previous works include books on the P-61 and the P-38 night-fighter versions. He is currently employed by Northrop, after years with Hughes and Lockheed, and lives in California. Brig. Gen. Ronald Harrison is an F-16 Wing Commander in the Air Force Reserves, and lives in Georgia as an attorney.

Author: Warren Thompson
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1782006788
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 213

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Book Description
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.

Author: Braxton Eisel
Publisher: Pen and Sword Aviation
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 264

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The 417th Night Fighter Squadron USAAF was only the fourth such unit to be formed. In the early days of WWII, the US sent observers to England to study how the latest form of air warfare would take shape and it very soon became apparent to them that a night fighting capability was of increasing importance. When they joined the battle against the Reich they found themselves without a suitable American aircraft and were forced to utilize RAF Beaufighters. Having 're-learned to fly' this British design the 417th were sent to North Africa. Most of the ex-RAF aircraft they had inherited were battle weary and no supplies of spares were available through the US supply chain. The squadron found an elderly B-25 bomber, nicknamed the "Strawberry Roan," and they ranged throughout the Mediterranean in search of Beaufighter parts. 417 soon built a healthy score of downed German and Italian aircraft and as the war progressed they were moved to Corsica to support the Italian invasion, After D-Day they were moved to Le Vallon from where they attacked the night-time movements of the German Army. Perhaps their most famous operation was to attack the low flying German Condor that ran the route from the Reich to Spain carrying Nazi gold and treasures.

Author: Warren Thompson
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780897476386
Category : Black Widow (Night fighter plane)
Languages : en
Pages : 112

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Author: Terry M. Mays
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing
ISBN: 9780764333446
Category : Night fighter planes
Languages : en
Pages : 239

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Aerial night fighting against the Japanese in World War II demanded the merger of a special type of pilot and plane. This is the story of those pilots who risked their lives night after night flying P-38 Lightnings, P-70 Nighthawks, and P-61 Black Widows Americas first purposely designed night fighter for the 13th Air Force in the South and Southwest Pacific between 1943 and 1945. Night fighting included aerial intercepts of Japanese aircraft as well as raids against Japanese installations. This book provides detailed accounts of all these missions including the first solo night fighter raid over the highly defended Japanese base at Rabaul, night aerial combat against Japanese bombers and fighters, and harrowing night attacks against Japanese ground targets. Coverage of American night fighter tactics and Japanese counter-tactics add to the tale as 13th Air Force pilots battled the Japanese for control of the night skies.

Author: Eric Shulenberger
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : CD-ROMs
Languages : en
Pages : 529

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"The 280 men of the 548th Night Fighter Squadron fought their P-61 Black Widows across the Pacific. The Ground Echelon landed on Iwo on D+8, under the mortar, small-arms and kamikaze attack--the Widows arrived a little later. The entire Squadron lived in foxholes (between USMC howitzers and the enemy) for 6 weeks, on C-rations and one canteen of water per day. All while maintaining and flying the world's most complex aircraft. Not a single Japanese bomb fell on Iwo while the 548th stood night-time watch. On Ie Shima (Okinawa) they again arrived under kamikaze attack, shot down several enemy aircraft, made extensive night intruder bombing and rocket attacks, acted as escorts for hundreds of B-29 crew-rescues, and made critical nightly weather observations over tomorrow's targets for the day-bomber fleet. The Squadron had its share of odd moments, from losing a man on Iwo to its own friendly small-arms fire, to scoring the only American shoot-downs of a B29 and a P61." "This book is those men's story--all of them, not just the aircrews. It covers the entire history of the Squadron. The tale is told as much as possible in the first person, using Squadron veterans' memories, illustrations, and extensive records and memorabilia--augmented (where records exist) by official materials." -- Book Jacket.

Author: Gen. Henry H. “Hap.” Arnold
Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing
ISBN: 1786251523
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 927

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Includes the Aerial Warfare In Europe During World War II illustrations pack with over 180 maps, plans, and photos. Gen Henry H. “Hap.” Arnold, US Army Air Forces (AAF) Chief of Staff during World War II, maintained diaries for his several journeys to various meetings and conferences throughout the conflict. Volume 1 introduces Hap Arnold, the setting for five of his journeys, the diaries he kept, and evaluations of those journeys and their consequences. General Arnold’s travels brought him into strategy meetings and personal conversations with virtually all leaders of Allied forces as well as many AAF troops around the world. He recorded his impressions, feelings, and expectations in his diaries. Maj Gen John W. Huston, USAF, retired, has captured the essence of Henry H. Hap Arnold—the man, the officer, the AAF chief, and his mission. Volume 2 encompasses General Arnold’s final seven journeys and the diaries he kept therein.