P-61 Black Widow Units of World War 2

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!

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.

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dealing with this little known night fighter, this book does a really good job collecting anecdotes and previously unpublished photos.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.