Best Allied Nightfighter: P-61, Mosquito, or Hellcat?

[Erich]

the 2 ETO squads that have mentioned incluidng the 418th nfs perferred the P-61 in the night ground attack and intruder roles. The two nfs mentioned also and I hate to say this but as a member of the US nf assoc. the crews were terrible at iding friend/foe at night even with the useage of the special night glasses. Me 262's were supposedly visualized in Oct. of 44 which is wrong as well as the id of Me 163's at night which is also incorrect. Several mysterious flying saucer shapes were also id'd and their are other peculiararites as well

the best of the three mentioned is the Mossie XXX without doubt

[Emac44]

Each aircraft had it valuations to me. Mossies were used European theatre and it suited the purposes to be used as a night fighter. if the poll was exclusive to each theatre it was used in i would vote towards the actual conditions it was exposed to P61 was brilliant in its role in Pacific theatre and operating to its conditions for example the high humidity found in the Pacific and Asian region etc where as the Mosquito operated just fine in cooler climates found in Europe. Hellcat i didn't even know it was used as a nightfighter so i would have to discount it due to my ignorance of its capabilities. but between the Mosquito and the black widow neck a neck in performance durability and overall handling by the crews using them. but for me the Mosquito by a hairs breathe and only just

[kitfox]

Yes, I am corrected in my question. I incorrectly did not list the P-70, P-38M, or Beaufighter. Did the F4U-4N any kills? They should be considered also.

In this report I read, the visibility, firepower, cockpit layout was preferred in the P-61B. Tandem seating, acceleration, and responsiveness were preferred in the Mosquito.

This report also strongly recommends discontinuance of production of the P-39Q, P-63, and P-40N, stating "they are not modern fighter aircraft". It also [then censored] reports the dismal performance of the P-59 with the Meteor. The Americans were to wait for the P-80.

[Erich]

ah the posts in this thread have some inaccuricies but I am going to go back to what the poll mentioned. The Mossie XIII would of been nowhere superior to the later P-61B, had the poll mentioned the Mossie XXX then the tide would of turned to the Mossies favour.

forget the P-70 and the P38M never did fly operationaly as a night fighter according to US nf documentation, only after war in which the US nf units then were disbanded

[Vassili Zaitzev]

Considering I only know the P-61 I'll go with that, but how good was the Mosquito?

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

You dont know the Mossie? That is almost scandulous.

[k9kiwi]

For target practice whenever possible, so yes it was.

[Erich]

sorry but you are going to have to explain that statement to me K9Kiwi

[k9kiwi]

Erich

Never mind, I started work this morning at 0400, I got things out of context and out of place.

[Erich]

no problemo I got about 3 hrs of sleep lat night and my posts probably do not make sense ..........

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Same here. I was at a Holloween party last night and did not get home till real late. Pretty tired all day.

[Erich]

I didn't do too bad with the Halloweenie kids and my 3 grand-daughters hanging all over me, just have a stupid allergy-head cold that I can't seem to get out of my system .....

cough, gag, choke

[Plane Freak]

**** is every one here a NAZI

[mosquitoman]

No, contrary to what you think nobody on here is a Nazi, in fact if a Nazi supporter was on this board, they would get banned as quickly as you will for insinuating that everyone was.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

As he was banned, what a ****tard.