The Northrop P-61 Black Widow was built as a night fighter during World War II. The heavily armed, twin-engined, twin-tailed aircraft was well suited to its role.

The second P-61C (43-8322) was bailed back to Northrop for use as a photo/chase aircraft during the flying wing bomber development program. On 25 June 1946, the aircraft escorted the XB-35 on its 44-minute maiden flight from Hawthorne to Muroc Army Air Field. It frequently served as the photo ship for the B-35 prototypes throughout 1946 and early 1947. Northrop chief photographer Roy L. Wolford took many excellent pictures from the gunners seat on the Black Widow.