Luftwaffe night fighters

Plastic model kit for three German night fighters

• Scale 1:72
• 44 + 135 + 155 parts
• Aircraft included:
  • Messerschmitt Bf-109E-4
  • Dornier Do 17Z-10 Kauz II
  • Focke-Wulf Fw 189A-1
• Each aircraft with its own marking options
• Clear parts included
• Unbuilt, unpainted
• Paint and glue not included

At the beginning of the Second World War, German military leadership did not prioritize specialized air-defense fighter aircraft. They believed anti-aircraft artillery would serve as the primary defense against aerial attacks on the Reich. However, large-scale nighttime raids by British aviation revealed that heavy anti-aircraft guns could not effectively protect ground targets. This necessitated specialized night-fighter units and a distinct tactical approach.

Since no aircraft were specifically designed for night combat at the time, the Luftwaffe initially used standard combat aircraft painted in dark colors—such as the Bf 109E-4 operated by Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 (the 1st Night Fighter Wing). For long-range interception of British bombers over British territory, they employed a specially converted Do 17 bomber designated the Do 17Z-10 Kauz II. The aircraft featured an infrared searchlight to help locate enemy aircraft in the night sky.

There are also documented cases of Fw 189 A-1 aircraft being used as night fighters after special modifications, including the installation of FuG 212 radar and an additional MG 151 cannon mounted for forward and upward firing.
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