The XP-61 was flight-tested in 1942 and delivery of production aircraft began in late 1943. The P-61 flew its first operational intercept mission as a night fighter in Europe on July 3, 1944, and later was also used as a night intruder over enemy territory. In the Pacific, a Black Widow claimed its first "kill" on the night of July 6, 1944. As P-61s became available, they replaced interim Douglas P-70s in all USAAF night fighter squadrons. During World War II, Northrop built approximately 700 P-61s; 41 of these were -Cs manufactured in the summer of 1945, offering greater speed and capable of operating at higher altitude. Northrop fabricated 36 more Black Widows in 1946 as F-15A unarmed photo-reconnaissance aircraft.

SPECIFICATIONS (P-61C):

Span: 66 ft.

Length: 49 ft. 7 in.

Height: 14 ft. 8 in.

Weight: 35,855 lbs. loaded

Armament: Four .50-cal. machine guns in upper turret and four 20mm cannons in belly; 6,400 lbs. of bombs

Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney R-2800s of 2,100 hp each

Cost: $170,000

PERFORMANCE:

Maximum speed: 425 mph

Cruising speed: 275 mph

Range: 1,200 miles

Service ceiling: 46,200 ft.