Originally posted by Grendel
Best American night fighter perhaps, on some record. But yet, in Pacific it was too slow to successfully intercept Japanese night raiders and F4U/F6Fs were modified with radars to give US good enough night capability. In actual use P-61 was found quite lacking and it was quickly replaced by other designs after the war.
On the other hand, Mosquito, He-219 and Ju-88 had the capability, equipment and success record as well to call them much better night fighters.
This incorrect. Operational data for the P-61 is readily available and it disputes your assertion.
Navy night fighters were in service long before the P-61 was operational in the Pacific. In addition, the P-61 was a USAAF fighter and not assigned to protect Navy assets. P-61As entered Pacific theater combat service in the summer of 1944, operating out of Saipan.
In Europe, P-61s were very successful despite being available in only very small numbers. There was a lot of pressure from the RAF to have American units equipped with the Mosquito MK.XVII NF, and the USAAF initially seemed to agree. Previously at Eglin Field, a P-61A was tested against the Mossie MK.II NF and the conclusion was that there was little difference in performance. Northrop representatives and P-61 pilots of the 422nd NFS utterly disagreed that the Mosquito was surperior and challanged the RAF to prove their claim.
With the 422nd in near mutiny and to satisfy everyone else, a flyoff between the P-61B and a Mosquito Mk.XVII N.F. was flown in Britain by the USAAF. The P-61B was deemed the winner, much to the RAF's disbelief. With that, the AAF released the 422nd NFS for combat. The 422nd would be credited with 43 confirmed kills for no losses. These included around 12 Bf 110G-4 and Ju-88G night fighters as well as several Fw 190s. P-61s also flew a lot of night and day-time interdiction sorties against German ground units and transportation targets.
P-61s flying with the upper turret removed demonstrated excellent climb rate, getting to 20k in 8.5 minutes. The corresponding reduction in drag allowed for a max speed of about 375 mph at 20,000 feet (most of the 422nd's P-61s were -5 and -10 models and most had the power turret removed prior to being issued to the squadron). In mock combat, the P-61 could fly circles around any Mosquito, having a turn radius superior to any USAAF fighter in service at the time. In July of 1945, the P-61C entered service with turbocharged R-2800s. This model could exceed 430 mph at altitude and climb to 30,000 feet in 14.6 minutes.
P-61s remained in service alongside F-82s into the early 1950s when they were gradually replaced by the Lockheed F-94A Starfire. In Korea, the F-94s did not post a very impressive record. Grumman's F7F-3N was more effective and the Douglas F3D Skyknight was, by far, the most effective night fighter in Korea.
My regards,
Widewing
