Beaufighters ...

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7821

source: San Diego Air and Space Museum Archives.

Royal Canadian Air Force Beaufighter 1944

RAAF Beaufighter

Beaufighter MkVI of the 416th Night Fighter Squadron at an airfield near Grottaglie Italy in November 1943

RAF Bristol Beaufighter Mk VIC

Bristol Beaufighter LZ114 at west on super Mare aerodrome

Bristol Beaufighter LZ114

Spitfire TP22 prop collides with a Beaufighter RD863, location and circumstance unknown. Upon further review it would seem the Beaufighter taxied up on a running spitfire.

The Inspector · **Posted:** Fri Oct 26, 2012 5:45 pm

I've always thought that the only two things that should have been 'standard from the factory' on the BEAU were a cigar stub and a toothpick stuck in the front somewhere, it's closest 'don't even think about screwing with me' contemporary is the A-10.
Like straffer B-25's, not something I'd like to be involved with from a foxhole perspective :shock:

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7821

404 Sqn RCAF Beaufighters Feb 1945

Beaufighter & Mustang

Beaufighter RAAF Morotai Halmaheras NEI 1945

muddyboots · **Posted:** Fri Oct 26, 2012 6:39 pm

I don't know why but I always thought the Beau looked goofy. But at the same time it has an attitude that makes me think of Peter Falk. Columbo was sort of a goober by all appearances, but it was all a smoke screen. Behind that sort of messy, hunched over, confused face was a sharp mind. Same with the Beau. It's got a pudgy nose and great big out of proportion engines on sort of stubby wings. But it was a tough old bird with a mean punch!

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Fri Oct 26, 2012 6:46 pm

How does that front entry hatch work? I always assumed it just opened down and aft, with the opening above..but looking at your photo and it looks like it may actually be hinged in the middle, with the front part folding down and aft part folding up.

<edit> ahh...found a walkaround that shows the open hatch from both fore and aft..strange design.

http://www.grubby-fingers-aircraft-illustration.com/beaufighter_walkaround.html

SN

DH82EH · **Posted:** Fri Oct 26, 2012 8:03 pm

"Two engines, hotly pursued by an aeroplane!"

Nice photos. Thanks for posting

Andy

RAMC181 · **Posted:** Fri Oct 26, 2012 9:14 pm

Mark Allen M wrote:

Bristol Beaufighter LZ114 at west on super Mare aerodrome

Lovely photos as ever Mark,

That would be Beaufighter Mk.X LZ114 over the RAF airfield adjoining the Bristol/MAP factory at Oldmixon during a pre-delivery engine test, carrying a Mark XII aerial torpedo. She was later posted to 211 Squadron in Burma, where she was lost in January 1944.

The airfield was RAF Weston-Super-Mare (which is a fancy way of saying Weston-by-the-Sea...

)

All the best,
PB

JDK · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2012 1:09 am

Good stuff. I like these type threads - much better than the salads.

Steve Nelson wrote:

How does that front entry hatch work? I always assumed it just opened down and aft, with the opening above..but looking at your photo and it looks like it may actually be hinged in the middle, with the front part folding down and aft part folding up.

<edit> ahh...found a walkaround that shows the open hatch from both fore and aft..strange design.

http://www.grubby-fingers-aircraft-illustration.com/beaufighter_walkaround.html

Not at all; the idea was the hatch would swing open and provide a degree of slipstream cover in flight for an emergency evacuation at speed; when you consider the options for exiting the cockpit, it becomes even more 'desirable'.

Both hatches were designed to be counterbalanced to open and overcome slipstream forces.

Regards,

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2012 4:44 am

Thanks for the info, James. The slipstream situation makes sense..rather a clever design, really.

SN

CDF · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2012 4:51 am

Quote:

A8-198 after a landing incident. These Beaufighters belonged to 93 Squadron, RAAF which was formed in Queensland in December 1944. After working up in Australia they transferred to Labuan just in time for the last ten days of the war, during which time they were employed against Japanese shipping targets.They were retained for extra months after the war's end escorting fighters back to Australia and a force of Mustangs to Japan for the occupation. According to records, this aircraft, built in April 1945 was withdrawn from use in December of that year and written off in 1948.

[img]Squadron%20Leader%20W%20Boulton%20(Pilot,%20below)%20and%20Flying%20Officer%20Keith%20McCarthy%20(Navigator,%20above)%20with%20their%20No%2030%20Squadron,%20RAAF,%20Beaufighter%20named%20'Pademonium'or%20'Time%20Gentleman%20Please'%20in%20Kiriwina,%20New%20Guinea%20June%201943.%20Photographer%20N%20Brown.%20Reproduced%20courtesy%20of%20the%20Australian%20War%20Memorial%20015121[/img]

Mudge · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2012 9:16 am

http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj6 ... 2997c9.jpg

Looks more like the Beau ran over the Spit. But you did say "collided" so that's kinda' "generically" correct.

Mudge the opinionated :wink:

Dennis7423 · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2012 1:34 pm

Absolutely beautiful aircraft in my opinion :-)

I know there is one under restoration, but I can't remember whether or not it's going to be a flyer.

Also, I thought the rocket rails of the Beau involved in the Spitfire collision were interesting. Never seen that type before. Any more photos of those floating around, with the over/under setup?

bombadier29 · **Joined:** Sun Jan 29, 2012 9:17 pm **Posts:** 272

Stephen Grey had one being restored at Duxford. I remember it being sold to the guy that had the little demon P-47 for a while but I don't know if it ever moved from England. I can't remember that guys name but he put Platinum Fighter Sales on the map.

groundpounder · **Posted:** Sat Oct 27, 2012 7:56 pm

Thanks for posting those great pics !! I have always thought the Beaufighters were one mean, tough looking aircraft.

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