Difference between revisions of "Bristol Beaufort"
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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. | 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. | ||
| − | ==Crew | + | ==Air Crew== |
| − | *[[Arthur Matthew Aitken]] | + | ===[[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 |
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Aircraft]] | ||
Latest revision as of 20:46, 11 December 2023
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 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 |
Contents
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