Northrop P-61F Widow - Sqn. Ldr. Neil Cameron

In preparation for invasion of Japan, the RAF knew that it would need fighters with the range to escort the long range Lancasters and Lincolns being developed for Tiger Force.  Since the RAF had no suitable types for the role, it had a number of P-61Fs shipped directly from the US to India for training and operational experience on the type.  South East Asia Command (SEAC) was already flying Thunderbolts in the long range escort role, and it was one of these units that the RAF selected to be the first to transition to the big, new Northrop fighter.  No. 258 Squadron received its P-61Fs in Spring of 1945 and it soon came to appreciate the exceptional range and firepower of the Widow.  Its commander, Sqn. Ldr. Neil Cameron, had recently become an ace flying Thunderbolts.  While escorting Liberators over Rangoon on 11 February 1945, he shared in the destruction of a Ki-61, Cameron having previously enjoyed success flying Hurricanes in the UK, Russia, and the Middle East.  The aircraft of this initial batch of P-61Fs delivered to the RAF received the standard camouflage of Dark Earth and Dark Green uppersurfaces and Medium Sea Grey undersides.  They also reintroduced the checkerboard engine nacelles on the new aircraft, which came to be frequently employed in the ground attack role.  Subsequent P-61Fs would be delivered in the natural metal scheme common to USAAF aircraft at the time.