Choice of Aircraft

[James Porter]

Can anyone tell me on what basis the aircraft of the Nachtjagd were allocated to pilots? Most NJGs appear to have had numbers of Bf 110s and Ju 88s on strength (Do 217s and He 219s being much rarer), and I assume there was a mix of each of these 2 types at every airfield. Some Experten seemed to always fly one type: e.g. Lent flew Ju 88s (but other types earlier), as did Wittgenstein; yet Schnaufer, Jabs and Lutje flew Bf 110s. Given the power deriving from their prestige, I imagine they would have been able to dictate what they flew: i.e. this was personal choice - is this correct? And what was there to choose between those two types of aircraft in terms of performance? The Ju 88 was a bigger aircraft with slightly higher speed and slightly heavier armament plus a third crew member, so it might have been better able to carry the radar and on board equipment. It also seems to have been developed and upgraded right through the War, whereas the Bf 110 was not. So why would anyone choose the Bf 110 over the Ju 88?