P-70 Picture Request

[Smoke]

I'm looking for images of the Douglas P-70 night fighter. There don't appear to be very many online.

Also, did the P-70 have an official name? I've heard it called the Nighthawk, was this an official name?

Thanks in advance!

 

[evangilder]

It was basically a retrofitted A-20 Havoc. I haven't seen any official name on it, but Nighthawk does show in some literature. If it were official, then the F-117 would have been the Nighthawk 2.

There are several photos on the web of it:
douglas p-70 - Google Search

 

[Smoke]

Thanks! I found several images through google, but I'm looking for more detailed ones. Especially of the cockpit area.

 

[evangilder]

If you look for the more detailed books about the A-20, you might find some. I don't know any off the top of my head, but a lot of times the ...In Action series have some great historic photos. There is one on the A-20:

Amazon.com: A-20 Havoc in action - Aircraft No. 144 (9780897473170): Jim Mesko, Joe Sewell, Don…

 

[verner]

Here's one.

 

[Airframes]

And here's a cockpit shot, source unknown.

 

[Smoke]

Thanks! Any chance of photos of the escape hatch of the P-70?

 

[hawkeye2an]

Interesting pic verner. No 20mm pac under the fuselage, were they easily removed or did not all of them have them? Also, noticed the shroud over the upper canopy parts, sunscreen? Did they operate during the day?

 

[B-17engineer]

Nice pictures guys!

 

[Airframes]

Yep, sunscreen on runners, a standard fit as it was originally a day bomber.
Which escape hatch do you need? There are some pics on the 'net of the pilot's entrance/escape hatch in the roof, and the rear gunner's hatch was 'over the side', after keeping the aircraft in control (second set of basic controls) until the pilot had jumped. I should have pics somewhere if you can let me know what it is you're looking for.

 

[hawkeye2an]

I would be interested in pics of the radar operator's station. I assume it would be a similar layout to the Beaufighter. A1 Mk IV set from what I've read. I can't find any pics of the rear interior on the web, even A-20 would help.

 

[Airframes]

I've got a pic of the rear compartment, looking forward, but without the radar set. I'll dig it out and post it, and some others, here. You can also see some other internal details (model) in my Boston build in the Heavy Hitters GB. I've never been able to find any internal shots of the night fighter version, Havoc I, II or P70. I'm guessing pics were taboo due to the classified nature of the radar.

 

[Smoke]

Thanks!

I can't wait to see them.

 

[Airframes]

Still don't know which escape hatch you want pics of.

 

[Smoke]

Oh, sorry.

I mean the pilots escape hatch, but any pictures of the P-70 would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Airframes]

Ok, I'll post something in the next day or so. It probably won't be a P70, more likely Boston and A20, but it was the same anyway.

 

[Airframes]

Here you go. The first two are from the Boston manual, source as per header, the others from Squadron Signal 'A20 Havoc in Action'. The final pic is the rear compartment, looking forward and up, original source unknown, probably Douglas.

 

[hawkeye2an]

Thanks Terry. Those will do nicely.

 

[Airframes]

You're welcome.