P-61 Black Widow

NORTHROP P-61 in flight. Northrop P-61 Black Widow night fighter had pilot, radar operator, and gunner.

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
417th NFS P-61s at St. Dizier, France, April 1945

Wikipedia Description

P-61 Aircraft just delivered to the 417th NFS, March, 1945
P-61 Aircraft just delivered to the 417th NFS, March, 1945

A Young Man Went Off to War