Bristol Beaufort

Bristol Beaufort

Two Mk1s from 217 Squadron
History
Type	Bristol Beaufort
Role	Medium day bombers / training aircraft
Designer	Bristol Aeroplane Company
Manufacturer	Bristol Aeroplane Company & Aust Department of Aircraft Production Melbourne
Number built	1,121 + 700 Australian version
Primary users	RAAF; RAF Coastal Command; Fleet Air Arm
In service	1939
Out of service	1945

Remarks

The Bristol Beaufort was developed from the Bristol Blenheim. A variant was the Bristol Beaufighter. Originally designed as a torpedo bomber, it was operationally used primarily as a medium day bomber. However, it was used also as a trainer and more hours were flown in this manner than as an operational plane.

Australian aircraft were used not only for coastal reconnaissance patrols, but used extensively in the South Pacific. As with the British built planes, the Australian planes were initially powered by two Taurus engines. As the plane could be built in sections, workshops in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. When France fell to the Germans, the British stopped the export of Taurus engines, so the majority of Australian aircraft were powered by Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp engines built by the General Motors-Holden plant at Lidcombe, NSW. Production of this aeroplane ceased in August 1944 when there was a shift to producing Beaufighters.

Nineteen RAAF squadrons flew the Bristol Beaufort in the South West Pacific on maritime patrols, and as strike aircraft. They are credited with making a significant contribution to the war effort.

Air Crew

No. 14 Squadron RAAF

• † Edward Watling Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, accidental death, 15 Mar 1943
• † Arthur Matthew Aitken Pilot, accidental death 9 Sep 1943

Ground Crew

No. 14 Squadron RAAF

• Frederick Matthew Howlett Nov 1942 - May 1944

No. 8 Central Recovery Depot RAAF

• Harry Beard 19 Feb - 14 Oct 1945