12/2004
Bristol
„Beaufighter" Mk VIF
Bristol
„Beaufighter" Mk VIF
307 Squadron Polish Air Force
12/2004
Bristol
„Beaufighter" Mk VIF
Bristol
„Beaufighter" Mk VIF
307 Squadron Polish Air Force
19c
WIRE
0,5 mm
w
ir
e
0
,5
m
m
1c,d
Bristol „Beaufighter”
Mk. VIF
In 1938, the Bristol Aeroplane Company flew the
Beaufort torpedo-bomber prototype, and it entered
service. It was a natural step for the design team to adapt
this as a large long-range fighter, perhaps a night-
interceptor.
The Air Ministry was quite understandably
concerned that such a large aircraft would be lacking in the
maneouvrability and handling required as a fighter, but yet
four prototypes were ordered, the first flying on July 17,
1939. The main changes from the Beaufort were a new
tapered fighter-like fuselage and more powerful engines,
thus its appearance was similar. It was extremely heavily
armed (see table below), in fact, the most heavily armed
fighter of the time in the world.
RAF deliveries began in September 1940. The
early versions were slow, but this was more than offset by
its ability to easily carry the very bulky AIR (Airborne
Interceptor Radar) with little loss of performance.
Nightfighter Beaufighters with AIR Mk IV were
invaluable tools in the machine against the German night
attacks on London in winter 1940-41.
They were also put to use as long-range fighters
in Africa, and many were equipped with anti-submarine
radar, and had fair success against U-boats. Yet more were
fitted with under-wing armor-piercing rockets and bombs,
and used as anti-shipping strikers.
Also built under license in Australia, records
indicate the combined total number built was more than
5,560. Many were kept in second-line service until the late
1950's.
Wingspan: .................17.63m (57'10")
2
2
Wing area: ..................46.73m (503 ft )
Length: ......................12.7m (41'8")
Empty:........................6,622kg (14,600lb)
Max Loaded: ..............9,798kg (21,600lb)
Engines: .....................2x 1,615hp Bristol Hercules VI or XVI air-cooled radial
Max. Speed: ...............536km/h (333mph)
Service Ceiling:..........Fighter/NF versions: 9,144m (30,000 ft); Fighter/Bomber versions: 8,077m (26,500 ft)
Normal Range: ...........1,540 miles (2,478km)
Military Load: ............4x fuselage-mounted 20mm Hispano cannon; all after first 50 of IF also with 6x 7.7mm (0.303') Browning machine
guns in wings
7
8
a
b
c
9
a
b
1b
1c
1a
p. 8
1
2
3
p.9
4
5
6
13a
13b
22c
22A
22
a
b
1d
1
p. 7
11
R
10
p
.1
6
p.15
R
R
12
R
R
14
14B
15B
14B
10A
10C
11B
15A
18A
1
0
B
11A
15
R
18
R
R
14a
R
17
17a
19
R
18
L
L
17
17a
19a
19a
19b
19
14a
14B
15B
14B
10A
10C
11B
15A
18A
10B
11A
12
14
10
p
.1
6
p.15
15
p.17
11
19c
24
20
a
a
a
a
b
b
b
b
cz. 21
cz. 21
cz. 21
cz. 21
25A
25A
25A
25A
25A
25A
25A
25A
A
D
D
B
E
E
C
F
F
G
7A
6A
6B
29
25
18a
21
23b
23a
23a
23
28
19A
19B
19B
26
26
27
27
S1
S2
S3
S4
S4
S5
S6
S7
S1
S2
S3
S4
S4
S5
S6
S7
S8
19
19B
19a
S1
S2
S4
S4
S3
S8
S6
S7
S5