150501 18 Oct 1944 6(F)./122 Ju 188D-2 F6+GP Shot down by an American Beaufighter of 417th NFS in the vicinity of Cramona at 1930. Ofw. K. Rautenburg and crew missing.
Americans flew Beaufighters in 1944 ?
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Americans flew Beaufighters in 1944 ?
Recenly I came across this report of a kill by an American Beaufighter. Can anyone shed some light please ?
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Re: Americans flew Beaufighters in 1944 ?
I was unable to open this window but found this source on this topic
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsh ... asp?id=492When the USAAF formed its first radar-equipped night fighter squadron in January 1943, the only American night fighter available was the makeshift Douglas P-70, a modified A-20 bomber using the U.S. version of the Mk IV radar. After initial training in the P-70, the first USAAF night fighter squadrons went to war in the more capable British Beaufighter.
The 414th, 415th, 416th and 417th Night Fighter Squadrons received more than 100 "reverse Lend-Lease" Beaufighters. They arrived in the Mediterranean during the summer of 1943, achieving the first victory on July 24. Through the summer, they conducted daytime convoy escort and strike missions, but thereafter flew primarily at night. Although purpose-built American P-61 Black Widow night fighters began to replace them in December 1944, USAAF Beaufighters continued to fly night cover for Allied forces in Italy and France until the closing days of the war.
Re: Americans flew Beaufighters in 1944 ?
Also Spitfires.
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Re: Americans flew Beaufighters in 1944 ?
Some interesting, unusual model projects there. A U.S.A.A.F marked beufighter would get some of the judges guessing.
Re: Americans flew Beaufighters in 1944 ?
So I know the Americans flew the beaufighter MKVI but did they fly any other MKs? I have looked all over and have found nothing on this.
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Re: Americans flew Beaufighters in 1944 ?
I'd recommend trawling the unit histories.
Re: Americans flew Beaufighters in 1944 ?
I only know of VIF's