Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>Beaufighter>HA2315

General Background

The Bristol Beaufighter was developed in about 8 months by using sections from the earlier designed Bristol Beaufort. It was given more powerful engines and a variety of modifications making the aircraft capable of many tasks. It was a night fighter, fighter bomber and torpedo bomber performing anti-shipping duty as well as ground attack and long range interdiction. The different variants, 14 in all, were capable of carrying bombs, torpedoes, rockets, canons and machine guns. The Beaufighter was operated by 11 countries.

The Aircraft

Early in July 1941 RAF No. 272 Squadron transferred 8 Bristol Beaufighters from Edku, Egypt to Malta. During July 1941, Sqn. Ldr A.W. Fletcher CO, a Canadian, flew Beaufighter Mk. IC T3317/XK-? on a strafing attack on Sicilian airfields destroying four SM.79s and two CR.42s. Two days later Fletcher destroyed three more SM.79s just before the squadron was sent back to Egypt in early August 1941. Because of his rank Sqn. Ldr A.W. Fletcher CO was able to wear the ?.

Specifications :

Crew:	2 X (1) pilot (1) radio/radar operator
Engines:	2 X Bristol Hercules XI engines / 1,500 hp
Fuel:	100 octane
	Capacity 550 Imp gallons / (660 US gallons) / (2,500 liters)
Performance
Maximum speed:	321 mph at 15,800 feet / (520 km/h at 4,572 m)
ICR:	1,850 ft/min at sea level / (564 m/min at sea level)
Climb to 20,000 ft:	214 minutes 6 seconds / (6,095 m in 14 min 6 seconds)
Ceiling:	26,500 ft / (8077 m)
Range:	1,170 miles at 5,000ft at 182 mph / (1,883 km at 1.524 km at 292.9 km/h)
Dimensions
Length:	41ft 8in / (12.6 m)
Wingspan:	57ft 10in / (17.63 m)
Height:	15 ft 10 in / (4.83 m)
Wing area:	503 sq. ft. / (46.73 m2)
Weight
Empty weight:	14,069 lb / (6,382 kg)
Operational:	21,100 lb / (9,571 kg)
Armament:	4 X 20mm cannon under nose 240 rounds per gun
	6 X .303 machine guns in wings 1000 rounds per gun.