Which was the best night fighter?

[SoD Stitch]

Originally Posted by fat flyer

Erich,
Also, did the Do-335 which also had ejection seat actually become operational as a nightfighter? I do not believe so, but at another forum someone selected the Do-335 as the best nightfighter.

The Do 335 probably would've been the best night-fighter, if it had become operational (which it didn't); the two-seat variant, the Do-335A-6, would've had the advanced FFO FuG-217J Neptun radar, having triple "trident"-like antennas (hence the name "Neptun") on the fuselage and wings, but only a prototype was completed. However, if it had been built, it probably would've been the most successful (and advanced) night-fighter of WWII.

[HoHun]

Hi Denniss,

>The "datasheet" may be projected data, on top in the Beschreibung (description) field you see "Kobü-Entwurf-Leistungsdaten"

Quite possible, but with the Jumo 213A-engined Ju 88G-6 in regular service, it would be easy to make an accurate projection on the speeds for a Jumo 213E-engined Ju 88G-7.

If the G-7 tops out at 627 km/h (390 mph) at 9.1 km with MW50, I don't see how it would be possible for the G-6 to achieve 385 mph in the much denser air down at at 4 - 5 km. I'd have to run a calculation before I can be certain of that, but spontaneously I'd say, "No way!" (Trouble is, the data Junkers used for the 9.1 km data point doesn't seem to fit the Jumo 213E power graph I have, so it's a bit confusing.)

>The He 219 A-2 should have been equipped with the altitude-optimized DB 603AA. The DB 603A did have 1580 or 1590 PS, the 603AA 1510 PS climb and combat power at sea level.

The data listed in the Heinkel description is given as 1750 HP take-off power, 1510 HP at full throttle height. As the decription was prepared at the beginning of the series production, it might not take a different engine into account. Do you happen to have a data sheet for the DB603A, by the way? I only have those of the DB603E-F, G-M and L, and a closer look at the powers would be very useful for our discussion.

Regards,

Henning (HoHun)

[monsieurmonkey]

Nobody ever talks about the Bristol Beaufort, which, with 4 50 calibers in it's nose and wing mounted guns was had more fire power than anything. With twin engines and lots of weight it wasn't maneuverable, but it was legengenary for coming home with pieces of the plane and the pilot covering the fuesalage. It was a legendary NIGHT FIGHTER, which was importan b4 the Mustang showed up.

[AL Schlageter]

Originally Posted by monsieurmonkey

Nobody ever talks about the Bristol Beaufort, which, with 4 50 calibers in it's nose and wing mounted guns was had more fire power than anything. With twin engines and lots of weight it wasn't maneuverable, but it was legengenary for coming home with pieces of the plane and the pilot covering the fuesalage. It was a legendary NIGHT FIGHTER, which was importan b4 the Mustang showed up.

I think you are confused.

Bristol Beaufighter was a fighter bomber and night fighter having 0.303" mgs in its wings besides 4 20mm cannon under the nose. The Beaufort was a bomber and had no mgs in its wings. The Bristol Blenheim was used as a night fighter. What P-51 was used as a night fighter?

[Erich]

luftlover re-read the whole thread and I mean the whole thread, every post and you will have your questions answered including what M.H. mentioned about the Uhu in his posting to me, you some thing confused. the He 219 replaced the Bf 110G's in I./NJG 1 only for operations. I./NJG 3 had Uhu's but refused flying them on combat ops, Stab and 3./NJGr 10 had some but very few ops were flown and the equipm,ent really were wasted away and blown up

SoD the Me 262 B-2 and beyond would of replaced everything in the LW aresnal as this was the wave of the future not the Do 335 nf.

[luftlover]

erich, I don't know, on previous posts already discused my doubt about the me 262b-2a(visability being primary issue) but, alright...(I seem to have hit a brick wall, already discused)

the do-335 was an impressive plane, don't know bought best, but certainly up there, comparable to the p-82 in many respects

eric, rereading posts now........(darn, 16 pg worth )

[Erich]

no there was no problem with any Me 262 visibility wise. The B-2a was not operational before wars end it was in the test phases with state of the art electronics, the radar was AI and fully enclosed enough of that stupid wind drag antlers of the other twin engines

[luftlover]

erich, reread every post please...

visability issues concererning exhust coming out of the jets, their prey could see them coming , an issue with piston engines as well(you didn't think they put the exhaust shrouds for nothing)

[Erich]

I think you are very very confused. the RAF never saw jets coming nor hitting them. the jets attacked always from the rear, do you actually think any RAF bomber gunner or the forward crew in a Mossie of the LSNF or Intruder could see what was coming up from behind them at 400-500mph, let off a 2-6 sec burst and then be gone in time to react and fire their Brownings ?

c'mon thnk about it, there were NO visibility issues in the existing Me 262A-1a or B-1a/U1 according to the crews

[luftlover]

If I'm confused, well, darn, I thought you were

could the exhust not be seen from the front?(logic says no, but...in truth, I was refering to the Schräge Musik attack, they could see them sliding in for the attack) and even if not, the speed at which your talking about would leave little time for aiming. at night at that speed you would only have a few seconds to see the target, let alone shoot it. what was the min. range on the radar going to be used anyhow?

sub note:the power operated turret in the back was dangerous till the end, slowing down for more time was not an option(well, it was, but...).

2nd sub note:what about that pesky tail warning radar?

night fighting as far as I can tell was a backstabbing affair, sneaking up to blast your prey. most died without even knowing what hit them. your talking about hit and run tactics, used to deadly effect during daylight, but I doubt that's aplicable to night fighting in ww2.

the big question is, would it be worth giving up the Schräge Musik, the most gosh darn effective bomber killing tool in the entire luftwaffe arsenel

dont forget the most reliable and effective tool in the RAF arsenal, the mark 2 eyeball :

[Soren]

LoL, you have no clue luftlover..

I wonder when luftlover realizes he's talking to a writer who's main studies are around aerial nightfighting during WW2.

[lesofprimus]

I was wondering the same thing.... Erich is a researcher/writer who has contributed to many of the modern books regarding the Luftwaffe and the USSAF.... Several websites post his name as a contributor...

[Erich]

seriously I am about to give up on this

what do you mean see a SM attack coming.....? go read some more books on the night air war, you are posting so many contradicting questions, you pose a question then answer it yourself distortedly with non-facts

[luftlover]

gee

I post my veiws and are insulted for them

how are my comments distorted?

[mhuxt]

You've not been insulted. Grow a skin.