My F-in-L was a Crew Chief on Beaus from Operation Torch until they were issued P-61's in late 1944.
314 'First Over".
The USAAF got them on reverse lend-lease when the P-70 didn't work out.
Tunisia-Sardinia-Corsica-Pisa.
They ground looped one, wing tip spun one returning with battle damage.
He loved the aircraft.
A couple of points. It was an extreme long range aircraft. A typical mission was four hours to patrol area; two hours there, then three hours back. All three men- gunner, pilot and radar operator; got a lot of stick time and there was room to sack out on the deck.
The only gripe was that the props were in front of the pilot and it was a little scary when an engine failed, which they did.
He really liked rebuilding the Bristol engines, I would have no idea how a sleeve valved engine worked, but he was a mechanical marvel.
His two had the thimble nosed radar set up.
Bill