HobbyBoss 1/72 US P-61C Black Widow kit 87263

The American's started their night fighter program around 1940. The Army used the P-70 Havoc and Beaufighter to fight with the Japanese until the first 45 P-61 Black Widow's saw active service in October,1943.

Both the P61A and P61B were felt to have a deficiency in top speed and operational service ceiling. To improve the performance, two new more powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800C engines were fitted. With this increase in power, the top speed and altitude were increased to 430mph and 30,000 feet. 

Another change on the P-61C was the wide chord propellers and special 'fighter brakes' which allow the P-61C to turn much tighter and overshooting targets.