Hobby Boss 1/72 US P-61B "Black Widow" Kit

Since air forces began to focus on night bombing, bombing has become more efficient than ever. In order to combat the enemy's night bombing operations, a series of night fighters began to be used. The Americans started their night fighter program in 1940. But until October 1943 when the P-61 "Black Widow" entered service, they used the Douglas P-70 "Havoc" and the British "Handsome Warrior" to counter the Japanese.

With the advent of the more powerful airborne interceptor radar SCR-720C, the military began to upgrade their P-61 to accommodate this latest radar. The Black Widow, equipped with the SCR-270C radar, was designated the P-61B. The B model had the nose lengthened to accommodate the radar and the rear turret was later refitted.