Wow! What a story! Any chance you could send me a pic of this patch??? ralphsoccer@bellsouth.net. Widow pilots NEVER got the respect they deserved being night fighters.

That's awesome. Those things had a lot of firepower.

Did the gunner control all the guns? The 0.50s and the 20 mms?

Hell yea, that's really cool. I bet he had stories!

@Jack Tangles ok boomer

I built two of these & have both today (built in the 50s). Now 71 years old. Cool Plane!

It's a very cool plane but I've always had love for the P-47 Thunderbolt. That plane is like a pit bull. I know this comment is ten years old... did you survive?

The bf-109 had more power in the later models, 30 cal in the nose, and 2 20 mills with 2 more available on gondolas.

@@Spittin_Bars 30 cal has more fire power than a 50? I think not.

@Big Bill O'Reilly - My, aren't we negative. I'm trying to see it from your point of view. Perhaps you're a P-61 enthusiast, and would not like to see the P-38 come out on top in the numbers game.

@Big Bill O'Reilly - - I have arthritis, and losing hair on the back of my scalp. I've gained 20 pounds during this China virus pandemic shut down, and the gun I ordered at the gun shop was defective and had to be returned. I'm not experienced at researching stats on airplanes, and would appreciate to see what the characteristics are in comparison. It may be that somebody has already done that. It would be a lot of work. You seem frustrated that I don't know this stuff, and so does that mean you are an expert on these matters? If so, don't be such a grumpbag. I'm not an expert, and so I would like to see comparisons. I have read most of the comments under this video, and they don't seem to agree with each other very much. In fact, many seem to be uptight, like you. You might know what the ceiling is for each aircraft, or which aircraft handles better in a dive, and what the cruising speed of each aircraft is. I'd like to know the difference in armament between the aircraft. Some of the comments listed these things, but it would be easier for comparison if they were laid out in an easier and convenient format. And it would be interesting to know what engines they had, and something about the propellers... like how many blades, and how long they were. It would be of interest to compare the superchargers, and why they didn't use turbochargers. It would also be interesting to know if there were any pilots who had the opportunity to fly both planes, and to read their opinions. Also, it would be interesting to see the weight of each plane's bomb loads, and the weight of the planes, in comparison. Plus, it would be of interest to read how many enemy aircraft each plane shot down. Ultimately, since these aircraft were designed for different missions, it may be that investing in the P-61 was a mistake, and it would have been better to make design changes to the P-38 to fly at night.

@Big Bill O'Reilly - You should experiment with cordiality and avoid expressing your anger in the comments. If you disagree with someone, it would be better if you didn't get emotional.

@Big Bill O'Reilly - We haven't met. We've merely exchanged comments. I wouldn't want to meet you. You don't seem to be a well adjusted individual. Instead of asking me what's wrong with me...you should find the source of your mean temper.

@@mu99ins I did lot's of comparisons on these two. The P-61 could not turn or dive like the 38. Nor could it climb as fast. Both were made for different missions, hope this helps,,,,,,, cheers!

Like all fighters, every model had an achilles heel. Lets not forget that the spitfire and mosquito could hold there own,, It wasn't one sided,, and the fact the mosquito was plywood construction and a twin engine fighter/bomber the germans were never able to come up with its counterpart. They did make attempts but it never really make much of an effect on the outcome. Lucky for the allies that Hitler micro managed everything in the last years of the war when I think he was suffering the effects of amphetamine use and dementia ,, and his second Goering suffered opiate addiction. Remember kids, Don't do drugs, especially if one day you have the goal to become a dictator that wants to rule the earth - Or a global industrial magnate and financier ,,, Well same thing really as the world is coming to realize.

We used a variation of the Mosquitoes 20mms, the DAD used radar before us, also developed by them first. The mosquitos had 4 .30 cal mgs. The P61 w/o top turret only had it's 4 cannon. Still enough firepower. The Widow' s top turret was an problem for the pilot unless locked strait forward. The B model was lighter, faster and more maneuverable with guns removed. Military Aviation Historian and author.

My dad taught radar in the Seattle area during most of WWII. But, in 1945, they sent him on an aircraft carrier to the Philippines, which he did not like at all. One of the few stories he told me was a low ranking officer ordered him to remove the radar from all the planes on the carrier. He replied to the officer, "Yes, Sir." I don't remember exactly what the wording was, maybe it's different in the Navy.....something like "Aye-aye Sir."? This was a lesson from my dad to me. The lesson being, in the military, if you decide not to follow orders, you do it by saying "Yes, sir." instead of "No, sir." A lesson I used much later in the army. So, the next day, the officer came down in a hurry to ask my dad if he took out the radars, and my dad said, no. The officer was greatly relieved. That was one of those bone-head orders you cannot follow.