
Northrop P-61A/B Black Widow:

The P-61 was the first aircraft ever ordered specifically as a
night fighter.  Its gestation period was rather long (the
specification was laid down in Jan. 1941, and the aircraft entered
service in mid-1944), and thus the P-61 missed a good portion of
the war, essentially arriving in the European TO in time to mop-up.
While slower than its British counterparts (who rejected it in
favor of more Mosquitos after testing), the P-61 was just as
maneuverable, stronger, and - in the B-models with the dorsal
turret - carried more firepower.  Most P-61As were built without
turrets, as buffeting problems were encountered.  The P-61B saw the
reinstatement of the turret (4 x .50 cal MGs), and the addition of
hardpoints for the carriage of up to 6,400 lbs. of bombs or fuel
tanks.  Normal intruder bombload was 2 500-lb. bombs. The fuselage
gun armament on both aircraft was 4 20mm cannon. The P-61B was
rather slow (366mph compared to 372mph for the P-61A), sacrificing
speed for the turret which provided all-around coverage for the
upper hemisphere.  P-61s operated from bases in England and France
during WWII. Activate the turret on the P-61B by pressing <G><5>.

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