Bristol Beaufighter
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Revision as of 22:42, 4 February 2020 by Linton (talk | contribs) (Created page with "{{infobox aircraft | image = File:Bristol_Beaufighter.jpg | caption = Beaufighter Mk X of No. 404 Squadron RCAF | image2 = File:Bristol_Beaufi...")
 Beaufighter Mk X of No. 404 Squadron RCAF | |
 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Type | Multi role aircraft |
| Role | Night fighter, torpedo bomber, ground attack |
| Designer | Roy Fedden |
| Manufacturer | Bristol Aeroplane Company |
| Produced | UK, Australia |
| Number built | 5,928 |
| Primary users | RAF, RCAF, RAAF |
| In service | 27 Jul 1940 |
| Out of service | 1960 in both UK and Australia |
Remarks
The Beaufighter saw extensive service during the war with the RAF (59 squadrons), Fleet Air Arm (15 squadrons), RAAF (seven squadrons), Royal Canadian Air Force (four squadrons), United States Army Air Forces (four squadrons), Royal New Zealand Air Force (two squadrons), South African Air Force (two squadrons) and the Free Polish Air Force; one squadron.
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) also made extensive use of the type as an anti-shipping aircraft, such as during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea.
General characteristics
- Crew: Two - pilot, observor
- Length: 12.60 m
- Wingspan: 17.63 m
- Height: 4.83 m
- Empty weight: 7,072 kg
- Max takeoff weight: 11,521 kg
- Powerplant: 2 x Bristol Hercules XVII or XVIII 14 cylinder engines
- Maximum speed: 510 km/h
- Range: 2,820 km
- Service ceiling: 5,800 m
- Armament
- Guns: 4 x 20mm Hispano MkII cannon in nose; 1 x manually operated .303 Browning Machine Gun
- Rockets: 8 x 60 kg rockets
- Bombs: 2 x 110 kg bombs or 1 x Mark XIII Torpedo
Crew members
Ground Crew No. 30 Squadron
- John Francis George Collins 10 Aug 1942 - 19 Dec 1943