Designed as the only true night-fighter for the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) during World War II, the P-61 proved it was a deadly night-fighter. Developed in 1940 and placed into production in 1941, the P-61 was one of the most heavily armed and heaviest night-fighters built. Carrying up to 4 .50 cal machine guns and 4  20 mm cannons, gave the P-61 a powerful punch.

The Black Widow was first deployed to the Pacific with the 6th Night Fighter Squadron (NFS) in Hawaii, then moving on to Siapan. While in Europe the 422nd NFS received theirs at Scorton RAF station, England.

By the end of the war, there were no fewer than 16 squadrons of   P-61's in combat. After the war, the P-61 became unnecessary and slowly faded away as military surplus, being replaced by newer aircraft for the newly formed United States Air Force (USAF). This page covers the P-61 A/B Black Widow and its history during World War II.