![](https://brooksidepress.org/cartmell/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Northrop_P-61_green_airborne-300x229.jpg)
Tom was trained to pilot the P-61, and was ultimately shot down in this aircraft at the end of WWII.
The P-61 was a twin-engined fighter aircraft, designed to intercept enemy aircraft, at night, using newly developed radar. It was designed for a 3-person crew, a pilot, radar operator, and gunner, although in practice, it often flew with just the pilot and radar operator.
![417th NFS P-61s at St. Dizier, France, April 1945](https://brooksidepress.org/cartmell/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/417th-NFS-P-61s-at-St.-Dizier-France-April-1945.jpg)
![P-61 Aircraft just delivered to the 417th NFS, March, 1945](https://brooksidepress.org/cartmell/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/P-61-Aircraft-just-delivered-to-the-417th-NFS-March-1945.jpg)