NMUSAF Bristol Beaufighter now on display

[oz rb fan]

The Beaufighter is a composite restoration based on T5049 ( RAAF A19-43) the hulk of which was recovered by Moorabbin Aircraft Museum, Melbourne in 1971.
Beaufighter Mk.Ic RAAF A19-43 flew 38 missions with No.31 Squadron of the RAAF at Coomalie Creek near Darwin on the northern coast of Australia from 20 June 43 to 12 March 44. These missions included 20 convoy escorts, 10 strike missions, 1 aborted mission, 3 search missions and 4 training.

Dave

and i wish that the usaf would give it back
seriously the usafm and hars have done a fine job on this restoration and should be congradulated well done everybody
paul

[Ashley Briggs]

Dave,

I was wondering why you would call this restoration a composite? When all the major airframe components are from A19-43

[Ashley Briggs]

Dave,

I was wondering why you would call this restoration a composite? When all the major airframe components are from A19-43

[oz rb fan]

if i might answer in daves place iirc the beau that morrabin air museum recover was fairly incomplete when i saw it there the restoration was using a lot of parts from various aircraft recovered to originaly to help restore their mk21.
the part were both bristol(british)and dap(australian built)
paul

[DaveM2]

Yes, some of A8-371 incorporated in the restoration at least, according to respected sources.

Dave

[Jungle Bob]

I think the definition of composite might be a bit stretched here.

Having extensively been involved in this aircrafts restoration, the fuselage was rebuilt in Sydney, I can assure you the definition of composite does not apply.

As with any restoration there are parts brought in from elsewhere to help complete what was a sorry state of affairs but today she is very much the same bird that flew in WW2.

We just finished rebuilding the front cannon bay doors on the a/c and shipped them over prior to unveiling. The rear doors are still to be done.

[Shay]

Well just got back for the Museum a little while ago. The Beaufighter looks great. Still missing a few bits and pieces here and there, but would rather see her on display tham to have her tucked away awaiting parts. I never realized how much armorment the Beau had, quite impressive. Well my pictures did turn out as well as I would have liked them to. The dark enviroment with bright spot lights all over the place kept messing with my camera. Also they have the Beau bathed in blue flood lights,....I have not idea what that's all about. It didn't help that I didn't bring my mono-pod either I'll have to go back and give another go. But until then here are some shots.



















Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

[Mudge]

Two things that will expose my ignorance.
1) Having never seen a Beaufighter "all together", I didn't realize what a small airplane it is.

2) On the 129, is the cannon mounted in a "drop-down" pod?

Mudge the curiously ignorant

(Somehow that doesn't sound quite right but, what the he££....)

[Ashley Briggs]

Well to clarify a few facts the mid fuselage section of A8-371 was initially despatched to tha States while the original remained with the museum.
A short while after the surplus Beau items remaining at the museum were disposed of to Rob Grienert. Rob then did a deal with the USAF Museum where the mid fuse was exchanged for the correct section.
So all the major airframe components in this restoration are A19-43.

[Ashley Briggs]

Well to clarify a few facts the mid fuselage section of A8-371 was initially despatched to tha States while the original remained with the museum.
A short while after the surplus Beau items remaining at the museum were disposed of to Rob Grienert. Rob then did a deal with the USAF Museum where the mid fuse was exchanged for the correct section.
So all the major airframe components in this restoration are A19-43.

[DaveM2]

JB and Ashley

Thanks, I defer to your superior knowledge on on this, pleased to hear that the mid fuselage section was changed out.

Dave

Last edited by DaveM2 on Sat Oct 21, 2006 8:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[croweater]

Think it could be a good time for a Beaufighter Survivors Series in an upcoming Classic Wings Dave?

Regards Croweater

[DaveM2]

Good point....especially since another has been discovered off the coast of Crete. So many aircraft....so little time (and space)

Dave

[bdk]

That exhaust collector ring is very curious. Anyone know why they designed it that way?

[JDK]

Two things that will expose my ignorance.
1) Having never seen a Beaufighter "all together", I didn't realize what a small airplane it is.

Quid? It's about the size of a B-25 - certainly a medium bomber equivalent - small, no.

That exhaust collector ring is very curious. Anyone know why they designed it that way?

Standard Bristol practice. It's a fascinating bit of kit. Most Bristol radials of that era* had a leading edge cowling collector ring, which was cooled by the flow of air. As a result, these aircraft were much quieter than you'd expect, as there was very little exhaust noise - however claims of the Japanese calling Beaus 'whispering death' are I'm reasonably sure pure allied newspaper propaganda.

*For instance the Gloster Gladiator, Westland Lysander and Bristol Blenheim / Bollingbroke, with the Bristol Mercury engine, and many others; Pegasus in the Swordfish, Hercules in the Halifax Stirling, Wellington, Lancaster II... The Perseus, as the early Bristol sleeve valve had a similar setup in the Skua/Roc Lysander II etc.