Gallery No 5 - Bristol Beaufighter
Aircraft - 3 images
My thanks to Roger Dunn and the MOD for supplying these images.Wikipedia for text.
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BRISTOL BEAUFIGHTER
Developed as a private venture by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, the Beaufighter was a two-seat all-metal fighter using components from the Beaufort torpedo-bomber. First flown on July 17 1939, the Beaufighter eventually equipped 52 RAF squadrons, giving outstanding service during World War II, in particular as a night-fighter and torpedo-bomber (where the aircraft were affectionally known as 'Torbeaus'). Entry into Fighter Command service came during August 1940 with the Fighter Interception Unit at Tangmere. The following month, five squadrons received the Mark 1F equipped with Mark IV Air Intercept radar for night-fighter duties although the type's first kill wasn't until November of that year. The Beaufighter continued as a night-fighter until 1943, and the last aircraft (a TT10) was not retired from RAF service until 1960, nearly 21 years after the type's first flight. Powerplant: Two 1,400 h.p. Bristol Hercules XI fourteen-cylinder air-cooled engines. Span: 57ft 10in (17.62m) Length: 41ft 4in (12.60m) Max Speed:321 mph (518 km/h) at 15,800 ft (4,815m) Armament: Four 20mm Hispano cannon in nose and six .303in Browning machine guns in wings. Accommodation: Pilot, gunner and radar operator. Recognition: Sleek fuselage with large triangular tail. From the
side the cockpit is partially obscured by the large engines. Wings
mounted well-forward on the fuselage with the engines protuding prominently
from the leading edge. |
Some aircraft may appear identical but there are differences which will not be discernible from the image.
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25 Squadron |
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Bristol Beaufighter T.F. Mk.X
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Bristol Beaufighter T.F. Mk. X
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