Beaufighter's

[HarvardIV]

Hey Folks:

I've heard from someone that there were Beaufighters at the airport in Haiti or hte Dominican Republic. It would be interesting to find out if this is really true or not. I know most of you are pretty astute, so let's see what you know.

[setter]

Hi Chris

I know the Dominicans dffinately had some - I don't know much about where or when and I'll look it up and post back

John

[HarvardIV]

Hi John:

You know I'm always fishing for that kind of info. Sure is kind of you,

Thanks!

[tom d. friedman]

beaufighters were deadly beautiful planes, & quite the war horse in many venues!!!

[setter]

Hi Chris

Bristol Beaufighter * Retired *
First used by the Cuerpo de Aviación Militar Dominicana and later by the Escuadrón de Caza-Bombardeos.

Serial c/no. Prev. Identity Delivered Fate/Notes
2401 n/a AMD 306 1948 n/a
2402 n/a AMD 307 1948 n/a
2403 n/a AMD 308 1948 n/a
2404 n/a RAF RD432, AMD 309 1948 n/a
2405 n/a AMD 310 1948 n/a
2406 n/a AMD 311 1948 n/a
2407 n/a AMD 312 1948 n/a
2408 n/a AMD 313 1948 n/a
2409 n/a AMD 314 1948 n/a
2410 n/a AMD 315 1948 n/a


References:

Latin-American Military Aviation (John Andrade)
Fuerza Aérea Dominicana
Fuerzas Militares Dominicanas

John P

[HarvardIV]

Hi Guys:

It's doubtful that theyd keep them around for so long. It looks like they're probably scrapped.

[setter]

Hi Chris

You might be surprised - there are multiple rimmors and more than a little interest over the years on the fate of some of these - I guess most of us are scared off by the prospect of Dominica. It would not surprise me if something did turn up. Remember most yanks were looking for yank aircraft so something could remain.

Regards
John P

[simon king]

A whole lot of pre-WW2 wartime armour, M3 tanks, Landswerk L/60 tanks and IIRC A/Cs etc has recently been discovered in the Dominican Republic so never say never. I did ask my contact about this but there was no feedback.

PS the Beaus were late TF X with the fin fillet

sk

[HarvardIV]

Hi Simon:

If you try asking him again, let us know what you find out. Also, I don't suppose Tulio would know something?

[Aircraft Mech Paul]

Now finding something like a Beaufighter would be a coup. Restoring and flying it may prove a touch difficult given it's British origins but seeing a flyable one would be nothing short of miraculous in my opinion. Graceful and beautiful planes, deadly as hell when they were used in combat.

Paul

[setter]

Hi

I think that there is not much doubt that a Beaufighter will fly - a project is pretty advanced if somewhat delayed at Duxford and there is a project for sale in the UK that could also fly eventially and in Australia there is a project and the basis for a couple of others. The engine prop arrangement is always problematical as there aren't many original units left and it is proposed to use later versions as fitted to Bristol Frieghters etc but these props are 4 bladed etc so a few hurdles but nothing is impossible and all will be resolved.

Regards
John P

[Steve T]

Hi Setter et al--

Besides the idea of employing late-mark Hercules on a Beau rebuild, there is at least theoretically the option of a switch to Merlins, re-creating the extinct Mk.II Beau; I have to think a Merlin-Beau would be more than welcome at Legends, or Yankee, or wherever...

S.

[Ollie]

Come on, you can say it : Geneseo!

[Steve T]

Ollie--

Ah yes, no kidding...If I ever get kanged in the head with a branch of the money tree, whatever Interesting Old Airplane I acquire will get debuted at Gennie, no question about it.

Can you just imagine a semigloss-black Beaufighter NF.II in 406 Sqn markings, dropping down over the college on the hill, snarling by at, oh, say 280kts, 50 feet above the turf runway...aaah!

Cheers

S.

[HarvardIV]

Not me, I'd like to see a radial engined beau, complete with dud rockets as a pirotechnics show at the airshow. That would be a kick.