USAAF, USN WW2 nightfighters

[72modeler]

I found this photo collection just now, and it  has numerous photos of WW2 US aircraft and radar pods, many of which were new to me, and I hope they are new to many of you as well.

Mike

 

http://www.gmodelart.com/2016/09/us-wwii-night-fighters.html

[dogsbody]

The SB2C and the Ventura had sea search radar and weren't nightfighter, as far as I know. The same with the Avengers and the Mitchells.

Some Venturas were converted to nightfighters, as there was nothing else available at that time.

 

 

 

Chris

[72modeler]

True, but the website lumped them all together; while those aircraft fought at night, they were not true night fighters, as you so correctly pointed out. I thought about how to title the post, but went with what was stated on the website. Avengers were used at night to vector accompanying Hellcats onto aerial targets; it was one these Avengers from the Enterprise that shot down and killed famed ace Butch O'Hare in a tragic friendly fire incident.

Mike

[Ed Russell]

5 hours ago, dogsbody said:

Some Venturas were converted to nightfighters, as there was nothing else available at that time.

Indeed

Once I find a Pavla kit I will do VMF(N)'s next aircraft - they went from the Ventura to the Tigercat. That must have been a relief for them.

[dogsbody]

14 hours ago, 72modeler said:

True, but the website lumped them all together; while those aircraft fought at night, they were not true night fighters, as you so correctly pointed out. I thought about how to title the post, but went with what was stated on the website. Avengers were used at night to vector accompanying Hellcats onto aerial targets; it was one these Avengers from the Enterprise that shot down and killed famed ace Butch O'Hare in a tragic friendly fire incident.

Mike

 

 

Oh yeah! I forgot about that!

 

 

Chris