[.ca] P-61 Black Widow Units of World War 2 (ISBN 1855327252)

Good book about the "Black Widow" in WWII:
Osprey's "P-61 Black Widow Units of WWII" is valuable and intersting because it provides in-depth look at the role of this somewhat unknown and unheralded night-fighter in WWII. Concerning the airplane, the book is probably unequaled in information concerning this airplane from development at Northrup through end-use in all theatres of WWII. Plenty of photographs of the entire airplane, cockpit, armament, crew, nose art, provide interest for the reader (and details for modelers). First hand accounts of missions are plentiful and really make clear the lethal effect of the weapons of this plane and give a description of night-fighter tactics and on-plane-radar that I have not read elsewhere. The book is a really detailed and accurate look into an interesting segment of WWII fighter aircraft. If this is your first Osprey Publishing book, you'll want to get another.

Good book about the "Black Widow" in WWII:
Osprey's "P-61 Black Widow Units of WWII" is valuable and intersting because it provides in-depth look at the role of this somewhat unknown and unheralded night-fighter in WWII. Concerning the airplane, the book is probably unequaled in information concerning this airplane from development at Northrup through end-use in all theatres of WWII. Plenty of photographs of the entire airplane, cockpit, armament, crew, nose art, provide interest for the reader (and details for modelers). First hand accounts of missions are plentiful and really make clear the lethal effect of the weapons of this plane and give a description of night-fighter tactics and on-plane-radar that I have not read elsewhere. The book is a really detailed and accurate look into an interesting segment of WWII fighter aircraft. If this is your first Osprey Publishing book, you'll want to get another.

Color art and combat descriptions set this book apart.:
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.

A thorough coverage of Black Widow operational use.:
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.