Best Nightfighter of WW2

[MP-Willow]

Erich, I have been reading about the P-61 mostly in the CBI and Pacific Theatures. So I might need a little time reading up on the ETO. But I will say that from what I found for the Pacific the P-61 did not find a lot of Japanese planes but did get its share. You are right about the night intruder ops and the locos. From what I read the P-61 was very good at busting up the marshelling yards, trussels, and trains in China and Burma. I will send you or post the souces I have. Most are from different units. Some i am still trying to read. I am waiting to get a good book or two but for now my reading is elts where.

It is interesting that the Black Widow had to drop her wheels to engage the Ju-87s. I had never thought of that. Also the P-61C I think would have helped fix some of its problums the radar for one looks like a better unit.

 

[Erich]

fire away Willow !! The squadron signal small booklet is a good start as well as Gary Papes two excellent volumes............on the Widow

 

[brad]

i think i voted for the mossie

 

[plan_D]

I voted for the Mosquito although I am disapointed in the lack of votes for the Bf-110 it was a great night interceptor. I think it was a great bomber destroyer in general, as long as the bomber formation wasn't escorted.

 

[Erich]

the Bf 110G was the standard equipment for the Nachtjagd until the Ju 88G came along and then there was not much to compare between the two. I have made those points clear earlier. Every crewman I have interviewed wished they had the Ju 88G at their disposal earlier in the war.

too bad for them......

 

[plan_D]

The Bf-110G was outclassed by the JU88G but still it wasn't completely useless, and it did have some success against bombers early war.

 

[Erich]

obviously not as II, III, and IV./NJG 1 kept the unit

 

[plan_D]

Obviously not what? That the Ju88G wasn't better than the Bf-110G? Or that the Bf-110 didn't have success against bombers?

 

[Erich]

obviously all units in 1945 did not fly the Ju 88G-6. they should have though. NJG 1 since based to the northern coast could meet the RAF on the way in and before reaching the coast on the way back to England so a long distnce night fighter was not needed. the Bf 110G-4 served the purpose for this NJG just fine. the Bf 110 was in mix with the Ju 88 in south with NJG 6.

E ~ this is what I meant. Verstehen ?

 

[plan_D]

I never said the Bf-110 was replaced though. So, how could you say obviously not? I said it was outclassed, not replaced.

 

[Erich]

c'mon think about it ! NJG 1 did not want to trade in their 110's like most of the NJG's had. The Bf 110G-4 was an outdated unit and they knew it but they did not want to change over as they had scored some 2,000 plus kills and why change with something that had provided sufficient flying and armament power.........

 

[plan_D]

You think about it. You're arguing with yourself, I never said the Bf-110 was poor. I said it was good.

You said the people you interviewed would have wanted a JU88 early war, to me this means they were better. So, I said the Ju-88G was better than the Bf-110G. And now you're saying some people didn't want to swap, you're arguing with yourself man, calm down.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

i always the thought the 110 wasn't that bad..........

 

[Erich]

arguing with myself.........never ! just giving my opinion and trying to answer your question(s).

 

[brad]

the 110 is good

 

[MP-Willow]

The Bf-110 was in bad need to be phased out! It sould have been by the Bf-210, but that design was a bust. So two years latter the 410 was out and what the 210 should have been while the poor old 110 was cannon fodder, or better put .50 cal fodder.

Now in all this talk of night fighters I have a question about the rader. The RAF was ahead of the USAAC in design, but from what I have read, it seems that the US did not get the British desgins. What do you all think.

Eric, ok I will look at the books you said. I have been looking for information on the Gumman F7F this last week. That was a great aircraft! Sad that it came to late. Grumman Cats were just fun.

LG- you have any info on the two seat P-38M or L night Lightning? I have only found a few referances to it.
I am reading about twin engin nightfighters this week

 

[Erich]

although some errors can be found Willow may I suggest Gebhard Aders, German night fighter Force 1914-1945. Maybe an OOP title but a must have for your research if you are serious about Germany's contirbutions in the war effort.........

 

[plan_D]

The Bf-110G was a good plane, and a great bomber destroy if the bomber stream had no escort. Late war it was getting a beating but it still served.

 

[Lightning Guy]

The P-38M was a direct conversion from the P-38L-5. A grand total of 75 conversions were made (it was clear the war was winding down). Its performance was very similar to the L (a little slower due to the weight and drag of the radar but still fast enough). The radar was the same APS-4 used on the nightfighting Hellcats and Corsairs in the Pacific. In an emergency, it could be jetisoned from the aircraft. I've not seen any clear cut info on the service record of the P-38M. It appears that a few made it to the Pacific before VJ day but I am unaware of any action they may have seen. Several were a part of the post-war occupation force.

 

[MP-Willow]

Thanks all. I have again been educated