The first example of night fighter was properly the Bf 109-D version,
used in IV (N)/JG 2,Gardemoen in 1940. It was the first night-fighting
unit. Though unusual,also the famous single engine fighter was used -among
all the other rôlesit fulfilled- as night fighter. The first example
is given by the Bf 109Cs employed by 10.(N)/ JG 77 based at Aalborg
in July 1940.
The unit was provided with such planes while waiting the introduction of custom -designednight-fighters. Units as Hajo Herrmann’s Wilde Sau used the BF 109 as afast night interceptor. The variants of the Bf 109 adapted for this duty were the Bf 109 G-6/N and Bf 109 G-6/Y. The former type was fitted with FuG 350 “Naxos Z” passive homing detector and the latter with the “Y” interception system.
JG 300, 301 and 302 formed special units with the Bf 109 G-6/N variant.
When these units were converted to day fighting duties, the G-6/N remained
in service only in JG 11 in small numbers . The Bf 109 G-6/Y differed
from the day fighter version by the use of FuG 16 Z radio equipment by
the means of a Molane-style aerial and an Erla-haube improved vision cockpit.
The G-6/N still used the old canopy and armour plate but were fitted with
R6 field conversion kit which consisted in a couple of MG151/20 mm guns
in underwing gondolas. The DF loop antenna was re-positioned in the under
surfaces of the third segment of fuselage. 
The NaxosZ aerial was installed inside a special transparent dome just behindthe cockpit canopy in the upper side of the fuselage.
Both types were fittedwith exhaust pipes cover in both bord and starboard sides. This was to prevent the eyes of the pilot from being blinded by the flashes of exhaust flames in the darkness. The latest variant was the Bf 109 G-14 equipped with Erla-haube and “Spanner” IR night vision device , protruding out of the front glass of the canopy. The powerplant was a DB605 AM with MW 50 power boost. This model was developed to fill the gap between the outclassed BF 109 G6 and the much awaited high speed G-10 variant.
