Douglas P-70 Nighthawk, 39-768 "Dusty",
Detachment 'A', 6th Nightfighter Squadron, USAAF,
3-Mile Strip, Port Moresby, New Guinea, early 1943.

History:

Before the USA entered the Second World War, the USAAC felt that it needed long-range fighters more than it needed attack bombers, and the prototype A-20 (39-735) was adapted for night fighting duties under the designation XP-70. Two unsupercharged 1600 hp Wright R-2600-11s replaced the turbosupercharged R-2600-7s originally installed. RAF experience with modified Havocs in the Nighfighter role was used as a guideline. British AI Mk IV radar was mounted in an unglazed nose, with an arrow-like transmitting antenna located in front of the nose, and receiving antennae being located on the fuselage sides and on the port wing. All bomb racks and all defensive armament were removed. The crew was reduced from three to two, the second crewman being a radar operator seated in the rear cockpit. Four 20-mm cannon with 60 rpg were installed in a ventral tub. The success of these modifications led to a USAAC decision on October 15, 1940 to have fifty-nine more of the A-20s on order modified as P-70 night fighters. 

Fifty-nine P-70s, originally ordered as A-20s were completed with R-2600-11 engines as night fighters. Serials were 39-736 to 39-740, 39-742 to 39-744, 39-746 and 39-747 and 39-749 to 39-797) They were identical to the XP-70 except for minor equipment changes. Maximum speed was 329 mph at 14,000 feet. An altitude of 12,000 feet could be attained in 8 minutes, service ceiling was 28,250 feet, and combat range was 1060 miles. Weights were 16,031 pounds empty and 20,984 pounds gross. The first P-70 was delivered in April of 1942, and the order was completed in September of that year. 

The P-70 actually saw some combat action in the Pacific Theatre, although their service there was quite brief. The 6th Night Fighter Squadron began operations in February of 1943 with its P-70s from Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, in an attempt to intercept high-flying Japanese night raiders. It was later supplanted by the 419th Night Fighter Squadron. The 418th and 421st Night Fighter Squadrons flew P-70s operationally in New Guinea for a brief time. The P-70 was not very successful in combat, scoring only two kills during the entire war. The P-70 lacked sufficient performance to intercept Japanese night raiders unless it was extremely fortunate. P-70s were replaced with P-61s just as soon as these aircraft would be made available. 

Note: This skin is based on a profile in "Warpaint No.32, Douglas A-20 Boston/Havoc" written and illustrated by Richard J. Caruana.

-------------------------------

The new EAW high resolution Douglas P-70 Nighthawk - Non-Flyable bomber version for B-26A slot.


New 3DZ model by Captain Kurt.

Additions by Mike1:

AI Mk-IV Radar Aerials on nose and fuselage sides.
Enclosed rear cockpit with RDF operator.
Ventral gunpack.

Skin by Mike1, based on the master PCX by DeanH, plus details by Captain Kurt.

To load into your game, drop all files into your EAW folder. Intended for use with Charles Gunst's ECAPanel, select the Boston flight model.

-------------------------------

Michael "Mike1" Riddell, 25th December 2003.