Night Schemes

	Blenheim IV Blenheim R3816, OM-J, 107 Squadron, RAF, Leuchars, March 1941. While Blenheim fighters played a trail blazing role as night fighters, relatively few Blenheim bombers were painted specifically for nocturnal operations. In addition to the black undersides, this machine also has the white in its national insignia toned down.
Hurricane I Hurricane 500? (serial unsure), LK-A, 87 Squadron, RAF, 1941. In response to the Germans turning to the night bombing of British cities after the Battle of Britain, several squadrons had their aircraft hastily painted overall black as an improvised night fighter force. This is a Hurricane example. Some Spitfires were also given the same treatment.
	Hurricane II Hurricane HL864, LK-? 'Nightingale', 87 Squadron, September 1942. The swan song of the Hurricane on the Western Front, this grey/green upper surfaced aircraft also has black-undersides for night intruder missions over occupied Europe.
Spitfire VB Spitfire W3848, JU-H, 111 Squadron, Debden, December 1941. A hastily deployed all black scheme which adorned some Spitfires late in 1941 when the Luftwaffe was expected to resume its large scale nocturnal raids on London.
	Beaufighter I Beaufighter R2101, NG-R, 604 Squadron, RAF, Middle Wallop, Late 1940. Along with the fighter variant of the Blenheim I, the Beaufighter was a trail blazing aircraft in the field of airborne radar, owing to the fact that both types had ample room for such installations compared to contemporary single-seat fighters. This example sports an overall black finish common to the nightfighters of all sides early in the war.

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