Royal Aircraft Establishment, November 1942/March 1943 - As early as 1940, American strategists had an interest in night flying. Many night fighters were converted from earlier heavy fighter designs and some from bombers. This role typically required the use of radar and airdrome beacons, as well as direction finders to find the airbase at night and various communications equipment and lightning inside the cockpit. During World War II, the Luftwaffe also experimented with single-engine planes in this role, which they referred to as Wilde Sau (wild boar). The Typhoon Mk.1B, widely known as the Tiffy, distinguished itself particularly in the Battle of Normandy. In one famous case, Tiffies of the 2nd Tactical Air Force decimated a large concentration of armor ahead of Avranches, disposing of no fewer than 137 tanks, and opening the way for the liberation of France and Belgium.

Info: Hawker Typhoon Mk I RAE, November 1942