What was the best night fighter of ww2?
Junkers Ju 88 Likely the most useful aircraft Germany ever produced, the Ju 88 excelled in every role it undertook. Its operational career in its design role as a bomber was winding down when it enjoyed a renaissance as the Reich’s most important night fighter of the late war period.
How did the Luftwaffe navigate at night?
The Luftwaffe concentrated on developing a bombing direction system based on the Lorenz concept through the 1930s, as it made night navigation relatively easy by simply listening for signals on a radio set, and the necessary radios were already being installed on many aircraft.
Which German pilot had the most kills in ww2?
Erich Hartmann
While serving in Germany’s Luftwaffe in World War II, Erich Hartmann flew more than 1,400 missions in the Messerschmitt Bf 109, enabling him to score an astonishing 352 kills.
Did ww2 fighters have radar?
Radar in World War II greatly influenced many important aspects of the conflict. This revolutionary new technology of radio-based detection and tracking was used by both the Allies and Axis powers in World War II, which had evolved independently in a number of nations during the mid 1930s.
Can Spitfires fly at night?
Only three Spitfire squadrons were trained to fly at night. At the same we did daytime flying. But the Spitfire was a terrible airplane to fly at night. The flames from the exhaust, you’d sit around with dark glasses on, go out to the airplane, start up, taxi out.
How did barrage balloons stop bombers?
A barrage balloon is a large uncrewed tethered balloon used to defend ground targets against aircraft attack, by raising aloft steel cables which pose a severe collision risk to aircraft, making the attacker’s approach more difficult.
What was the Knickebein technology?
Luftwaffe used a system called Knickebein, in which bombers followed one radio beam broadcast from ground stations on the continent until that beam was intersected by another beam at a point over the target. Lead bombers dropped incendiary bombs, which set fires that guided other bombers carrying high explosives as…
What did Germans think of the Mosquito?
The Germans realized that such a design needed to be copied and perhaps improved with the help of superior engineering. The Mosquito was famous for its speed and the ability to evade AA fire. It was legendary for having a low rate of downed airplanes for the British.
Which country had best fighter pilots ww2?
German
That meant their best pilots flew far more missions than their British or American counterparts, and recorded much higher individual victory totals: 379 German pilots had 40 or more combat wins, compared to one each from the US and UK.
How many German planes were shot down by Spitfires?
The Spitfire entered service with No. 19 Squadron at Duxford in August 1938. Production was slow at first, but by September 1940 it was in service with 18 RAF squadrons. Spitfires shot down a total of 529 enemy aircraft, for a loss of 230 of their own.
How many aircraft did Germany shoot down in WW2?
German day and night fighter pilots claimed roughly 70,000 aerial victories during World War II, 25,000 over British or American and 45,000 over Soviet flown aircraft. 103 German fighter pilots shot down more than 100 enemy aircraft for a total of roughly 15,400 aerial victories.
How many German ace pilots were there in WW2?
According to Obermeier, it is relatively certain, that 2,500 German fighter pilots attained ace status, having achieved at least 5 aerial victories. 453 German day and Zerstörer (destroyer) pilots received the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross. 85 night fighter pilots, including 14 crew members, were awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross.
How many fighter pilots have won the World War I?
Roughly a further 360 pilots claimed between 40 and 100 aerial victories for round about 21,000 victories. Another 500 fighter pilots claimed between 20 and 40 victories for a total of 15,000 victories.