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When Darkness Falls: Nightfighting (September 1940 - May 1945)

When Darkness Falls: Nightfighting (September 1940 - May 1945)



A night fighter (also all-weather fighter or all-weather interceptor) is a fighter aircraft adapted for use at night or in other times of bad visibility. Originally these were large twin-engine fighters such as the Messerschmitt Bf 110 or small bombers fitted with radar antennas which were meant to be used against large bombers. In the jet age, these were generally two-seat fighters with a radar operator, a large search radar, and eventually radar-guided missiles. Automation with ground radars permitted the design of single-seat interceptors such as the F-102 which was armed with rockets, Falcon and Genie missiles. In the US Navy of the late 1950s, all-weather missile-armed fighters such as the F3H Demon generally were slower and less maneuverable than day fighters such as the F-8 Crusader which were armed with guns and heat seeking missiles to engage other fighters rather than bombers.
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RAF Boulton Paul Defiant Mk. I Night Fighter - No.277 Squadron, 1942 RAF Boulton Paul Defiant Mk. I Night Fighter - No.277 Squadron, 1942 (1:72 Scale)

The Boulton Paul Defiant was a result of an Air Ministry specification (F.9/35) issued before the onset of WWII. It was a low-wing, cantilever monoplane, two-seat fighter of all-metal construction, with retractable landing gear, looking not unlike the Hurricane.

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RAF Boulton Paul Defiant Mk. I Night Fighter - No.151 Squadron, Wittering, England, 1941 RAF Boulton Paul Defiant Mk. I Night Fighter - No.151 Squadron, Wittering, England, 1941 (1:72 Scale)

The Boulton Paul Defiant was a result of an Air Ministry specification (F.9/35) issued before the onset of WWII. It was a low-wing, cantilever monoplane, two-seat fighter of all-metal construction, with retractable landing gear, looking not unlike the Hurricane.

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RAF Boulton Paul Defiant Mk. I Fighter - No.264 (Madras Presidency) Squadron, RAF Hornchurch, England, 1940 RAF Boulton Paul Defiant Mk. I Fighter - No.264 (Madras Presidency) Squadron, RAF Hornchurch, England, 1940 (1:72 Scale)

The Boulton Paul Defiant was a result of an Air Ministry specification (F.9/35) issued before the onset of WWII. It was a low-wing, cantilever monoplane, two-seat fighter of all-metal construction, with retractable landing gear, looking not unlike the Hurricane.

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German Heinkel He 219A-0 "Uhu" Night Fighter - Manfred Meurer, Nachtjagdgeschwader 1, Germany, 1944 German Heinkel He 219A-0 "Uhu" Night Fighter - Manfred Meurer, Nachtjagdgeschwader 1, Germany, 1944 (1:72 Scale)

The He 219 has been described as the best night fighter operated by the Luftwaffe during World War II. In fact, the "Uhu" (Owl) may have been the best night fighter of the war. Only the American Northrop P-61 "Black Widow" shares the He 219's unique status of being designed for night operation.

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RAF Westland Lysander Mk. IIIA(SD) Reconnaissance Aircraft - V9822, No. 161 Squadron, Special Operations, Tangmere, England, 1944 RAF Westland Lysander Mk. IIIA(SD) Reconnaissance Aircraft - V9822, No. 161 Squadron, Special Operations, Tangmere, England, 1944 (1:72 Scale)

The Lysander is a two-seat reconnaissance and artillery spotting monoplane defined by Specification A 39/34 in response to Operational Requirement OR. 18. Three squadrons of Mk. Is and three of Mk. Us equipped during 1938/39 moved to France with BEF in 1939; about 50 Westland Lysanders were shot down and 30 destroyed on the ground in May 1940.

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RAAF Boulton Paul Defiant Mk. II Night Fighter - Flight Sgt. J L Goulter, No.151 Squadron, RAF Wittering, England, January 1941 RAAF Boulton Paul Defiant Mk. II Night Fighter - Flight Sgt. J L Goulter, No.151 Squadron, RAF Wittering, England, January 1941 (1:72 Scale)

The Boulton Paul Defiant was a result of an Air Ministry specification (F.9/35) issued before the onset of WWII. It was a low-wing, cantilever monoplane, two-seat fighter of all-metal construction, with retractable landing gear, looking not unlike the Hurricane.

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RAF Boulton Paul Defiant Mk. I Night Fighter -  N1671, RAF Museum Hendon The Only Complete Survivor RAF Boulton Paul Defiant Mk. I Night Fighter - N1671, RAF Museum Hendon 'The Only Complete Survivor' (1:72 Scale)

The Boulton Paul Defiant was a result of an Air Ministry specification (F.9/35) issued before the onset of WWII. It was a low-wing, cantilever monoplane, two-seat fighter of all-metal construction, with retractable landing gear, looking not unlike the Hurricane.

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German Junkers Ju-87B-2 Stuka Dive-Bomber - J9+BL, 9./Sturzkampfgeschwader 1, St. Pol, France, November 1940 German Junkers Ju-87B-2 Stuka Dive-Bomber - J9+BL, 9./Sturzkampfgeschwader 1, St. Pol, France, November 1940 (1:72 Scale)

During the early to mid-stages of the Second World War, the Stuka (short for "sturzkampfflugzeug" or dive-bomber) struck terror in the hearts and minds of soldiers and civilians alike. The Stuka was a rugged machine, designed to swoop down and destroy its target using 500-lb bombs or tear into them using 37mm flak guns mounted underneath the wings.

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RAF Boulton Paul Defiant Mk. I Night Fighter -  N1801 / PS-Y "Coimbatore II", Desmond Hughes, No.264 Squadron, RAF Rochford, England, 1941 RAF Boulton Paul Defiant Mk. I Night Fighter - N1801 / PS-Y "Coimbatore II", Desmond Hughes, No.264 Squadron, RAF Rochford, England, 1941 (1:72 Scale)

The Boulton Paul Defiant was a result of an Air Ministry specification (F.9/35) issued before the onset of WWII. It was a low-wing, cantilever monoplane, two-seat fighter of all-metal construction, with retractable landing gear, looking not unlike the Hurricane.

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German Messerschmitt Bf 110G-4 Night Fighter - G9+WD, Oberleutnant Martin Drewes, Gruppenkommander III./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1, Laon-Athies, France, March 1944 German Messerschmitt Bf 110G-4 Night Fighter - "G9+WD", Oberleutnant Martin Drewes, Gruppenkommander III./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1, Laon-Athies, France, March 1944 (1:72 Scale)

The Messerschmitt Bf 110 was an aircraft of very mixed fortunes. It has often been criticized for its failure during the Battle of Britain, while its successes in other fields have been largely ignored. Despite not living up to the Luftwaffe's expectations it did manage to serve Germany throughout the Second World War in the long-range escort fighter, fighter-bomber, reconnaissance, ground attack and night fighter roles.

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German Messerschmitt Bf 110G-4 Night Fighter - G9+EF, Major Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer, IV./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1, St. Trond, France, October 1944 German Messerschmitt Bf 110G-4 Night Fighter - "G9+EF", Major Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer, IV./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1, St. Trond, France, October 1944 (1:72 Scale)

The Messerschmitt Bf 110 was an aircraft of very mixed fortunes. It has often been criticized for its failure during the Battle of Britain, while its successes in other fields have been largely ignored. Despite not living up to the Luftwaffe's expectations it did manage to serve Germany throughout the Second World War in the long-range escort fighter, fighter-bomber, reconnaissance, ground attack and night fighter roles.

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German Messerschmitt Bf 110G-4 Night Fighter - Willi Herget, 3C+LB, Stab I./Nachtjagdgeschwader 4, Metz, Germany German Messerschmitt Bf 110G-4 Night Fighter - Willi Herget, "3C+LB," Stab I./Nachtjagdgeschwader 4, Metz, Germany (1:72 Scale)

The Messerschmitt Bf 110 was an aircraft of very mixed fortunes. It has often been criticized for its failure during the Battle of Britain, while its successes in other fields have been largely ignored. Despite not living up to the Luftwaffe's expectations it did manage to serve Germany throughout the Second World War in the long-range escort fighter, fighter-bomber, reconnaissance, ground attack and night fighter roles.

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German Messerschmitt Bf 110G-4 Fighter - Oberleutnant Martin Becker, 3C+MK, 2./Nachtjagdgeschwader 4, Tavaux, France, 1944 German Messerschmitt Bf 110G-4 Fighter - Oberleutnant Martin Becker, "3C+MK," 2./Nachtjagdgeschwader 4, Tavaux, France, 1944 (1:72 Scale)

The Messerschmitt Bf 110 was an aircraft of very mixed fortunes. It has often been criticized for its failure during the Battle of Britain, while its successes in other fields have been largely ignored. Despite not living up to the Luftwaffe's expectations it did manage to serve Germany throughout the Second World War in the long-range escort fighter, fighter-bomber, reconnaissance, ground attack and night fighter roles.

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German Messerschmitt Bf 110G-4 Night Fighter - 4./Nachtjagdgeschwader 3, Kjevik, Norway, 1945 German Messerschmitt Bf 110G-4 Night Fighter - 4./Nachtjagdgeschwader 3, Kjevik, Norway, 1945 (1:72 Scale)

The Messerschmitt Bf 110 was an aircraft of very mixed fortunes. It has often been criticized for its failure during the Battle of Britain, while its successes in other fields have been largely ignored. Despite not living up to the Luftwaffe's expectations it did manage to serve Germany throughout the Second World War in the long-range escort fighter, fighter-bomber, reconnaissance, ground attack and night fighter roles.

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German Messerschmitt Bf 110E-2 Fighter - G9+BC, Oblt. Uellenbeck, II/Nachtjagdgeschwader 1, Spring 1942 German Messerschmitt Bf 110E-2 Fighter - G9+BC, Oblt. Uellenbeck, II/Nachtjagdgeschwader 1, Spring 1942 (1:72 Scale)

The Messerschmitt Bf 110 was an aircraft of very mixed fortunes. It has often been criticized for its failure during the Battle of Britain, while its successes in other fields have been largely ignored. Despite not living up to the Luftwaffe's expectations it did manage to serve Germany throughout the Second World War in the long-range escort fighter, fighter-bomber, reconnaissance, ground attack and night fighter roles.

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German Messerschmitt Bf 110E-2 Tropical Fighter - 3U+OR, 7./Zerstorergeschwader 26 "Horst Wessel", Libya, 1942 German Messerschmitt Bf 110E-2 Tropical Fighter - 3U+OR, 7./Zerstorergeschwader 26 "Horst Wessel", Libya, 1942 (1:72 Scale)

The Messerschmitt Bf 110 was an aircraft of very mixed fortunes. It has often been criticized for its failure during the Battle of Britain, while its successes in other fields have been largely ignored. Despite not living up to the Luftwaffe's expectations it did manage to serve Germany throughout the Second World War in the long-range escort fighter, fighter-bomber, reconnaissance, ground attack and night fighter roles.

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RAF Bristol Beaufighter IF Night Fighter - R2101/NG-R, John Cunningham, No. 604 Squadron, RAF Middle Wallop, England, December 1940 RAF Bristol Beaufighter IF Night Fighter - R2101/NG-R, John Cunningham, No. 604 Squadron, RAF Middle Wallop, England, December 1940 (1:72 Scale)

Developed as a private venture by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, the Beaufighter was a two-seat all-metal fighter using components from the Beaufort torpedo-bomber. First flown on July 17th, 1939, the Beaufighter eventually equipped 52 RAF squadrons, giving outstanding service during World War II, in particular as a night-fighter and torpedo-bomber (where the aircraft were affectionally known as 'Torbeaus').

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USAAF Bristol Beaufighter VIF Night Fighter - KW147, 415th Night Fighter Squadron, 12th U.S. Army Air Force, Le Vallon, Southern France, Sept. 1944 USAAF Bristol Beaufighter VIF Night Fighter - "KW147", 415th Night Fighter Squadron, 12th U.S. Army Air Force, Le Vallon, Southern France, Sept. 1944 (1:72 Scale)

Developed as a private venture by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, the Beaufighter was a two-seat all-metal fighter using components from the Beaufort torpedo-bomber. First flown on July 17th, 1939, the Beaufighter eventually equipped 52 RAF squadrons, giving outstanding service during World War II, in particular as a night-fighter and torpedo-bomber (where the aircraft were affectionally known as 'Torbeaus').

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German Dornier Do 215 B-5 Kauz Light Bomber - Gruppenkommandeur Helmut Lent, Stab III/Nachtjagdgeschwader 2, Leeuwarden, Holland, Summer 1942 German Dornier Do 215 B-5 Kauz Light Bomber - Gruppenkommandeur Helmut Lent, Stab III/Nachtjagdgeschwader 2, Leeuwarden, Holland, Summer 1942 (1:72 Scale)

The Dornier Do 215 was a light bomber, reconnaissance aircraft and later a night fighter aircraft produced by Dornier Werke GmbH originally produced for export, but in the event all except two served in the Luftwaffe. It was nicknamed "The Flying Pencil" because of its slim fuselage. The successor of the Do 215 was the Dornier Do 217.

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RAF Bristol Blenheim Mk. 1F Night Fighter - No. 29 Squadron, RAF Digby, England, June 1940 RAF Bristol Blenheim Mk. 1F Night Fighter - No.29 Squadron, RAF Digby, England, June 1940 (1:72 Scale)

Bristol Aeroplane's Blenheim was a British high-speed light bomber used extensively in the early days of the Second World War. It was later adapted into a successful heavy fighter. A Canadian-made variant named the Bolingbroke was used as an anti-Submarine and training aircraft.

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German Messerschmitt Bf 110G-4 Night Fighter - Oberleutnant Wolfgang Schnaufer, The Night Ghost of St.Trond, Nachtjagdgeschwader 1, St. Trond, Belgium, February 1944 German Messerschmitt Bf 110G-4 Night Fighter - Oberleutnant Wolfgang Schnaufer, "The Night Ghost of St.Trond", Nachtjagdgeschwader 1, St. Trond, Belgium, February 1944 (1:72 Scale)

The Messerschmitt Bf 110 was an aircraft of very mixed fortunes. It has often been criticized for its failure during the Battle of Britain, while its successes in other fields have been largely ignored. Despite not living up to the Luftwaffe's expectations it did manage to serve Germany throughout the Second World War in the long-range escort fighter, fighter-bomber, reconnaissance, ground attack and night fighter roles.

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German Messerschmitt Bf 110G-4/R6 Night Fighter - D5+RL, Nachtjagdgeschwader 3, RAF Museum Hendon German Messerschmitt Bf 110G-4/R6 Night Fighter - D5+RL, Nachtjagdgeschwader 3, RAF Museum Hendon (1:72 Scale)

The Messerschmitt Bf 110 was an aircraft of very mixed fortunes. It has often been criticized for its failure during the Battle of Britain, while its successes in other fields have been largely ignored. Despite not living up to the Luftwaffe's expectations it did manage to serve Germany throughout the Second World War in the long-range escort fighter, fighter-bomber, reconnaissance, ground attack and night fighter roles.

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RAF Bristol Blenheim Mk. 1F Night Fighter - 54 OTU Squadron (Nightfighter Training Unit), Church Fenton, Summer 1941 RAF Bristol Blenheim Mk. 1F Night Fighter - 54 OTU Squadron (Nightfighter Training Unit), Church Fenton, Summer 1941 (1:72 Scale)

Bristol Aeroplane's Blenheim was a British high-speed light bomber used extensively in the early days of the Second World War. It was later adapted into a successful heavy fighter. A Canadian-made variant named the Bolingbroke was used as an anti-Submarine and training aircraft.

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German Messerschmitt Bf 110E-2 Destroyer - G9+LN, Oblt. Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer, 5./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1, St  Trond, Belgium, June 1942 German Messerschmitt Bf 110E-2 Destroyer - G9+LN, Oblt. Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer, 5./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1, St Trond, Belgium, June 1942 (1:72 Scale)

The Messerschmitt Bf 110 was an aircraft of very mixed fortunes. It has often been criticized for its failure during the Battle of Britain, while its successes in other fields have been largely ignored. Despite not living up to the Luftwaffe's expectations it did manage to serve Germany throughout the Second World War in the long-range escort fighter, fighter-bomber, reconnaissance, ground attack and night fighter roles.

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German Messerschmitt Bf 110E Destroyer - Stab II./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1, Deelen, Holland, Spring 1942 German Messerschmitt Bf 110E Destroyer - Stab II./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1, Deelen, Holland, Spring 1942 (1:72 Scale)

The Messerschmitt Bf 110 was an aircraft of very mixed fortunes. It has often been criticized for its failure during the Battle of Britain, while its successes in other fields have been largely ignored. Despite not living up to the Luftwaffe's expectations it did manage to serve Germany throughout the Second World War in the long-range escort fighter, fighter-bomber, reconnaissance, ground attack and night fighter roles.

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German Messerschmitt Bf 110E-1/N Destroyer - VJ+OQ, Rudolf Hess, Augsburg-Haunstetten, Germany, May 10th, 1941 German Messerschmitt Bf 110E-1/N Destroyer - VJ+OQ, Rudolf Hess, Augsburg-Haunstetten, Germany, May 10th, 1941 (1:72 Scale)

The Messerschmitt Bf 110 was an aircraft of very mixed fortunes. It has often been criticized for its failure during the Battle of Britain, while its successes in other fields have been largely ignored. Despite not living up to the Luftwaffe's expectations it did manage to serve Germany throughout the Second World War in the long-range escort fighter, fighter-bomber, reconnaissance, ground attack and night fighter roles.

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RAF De Havilland Mosquito Mk. VI Night Fighter - NFll HJ711, Elvington Aviation Museum, 2013 RAF De Havilland Mosquito Mk. VI Night Fighter - NFll HJ711, Elvington Aviation Museum, 2013 (1:72 Scale)

The "Mossie," as it was known affectionately by its British crews, was both simple in construction and design. It was a twin engine, single boom aircraft that placed the pilot and navigator in a side-by-side sitting configuration. The Mosquito was one of the most cost effective aircraft ever built because it was constructed out of wood.

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