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Britain's Bristol Beaufighter Mk IC anti shipping strike fighter1
Bristol Beaufighter Mk IF night fighter1
Usage
The Beaufighter Mk I was used by Australia, Britain, Canada, and New Zealand.1
Battle of Britain
The first production models reached the Royal Air Force's Fighter Command in September 1940, just in time for the Battle of Britain.1 By November night fighter versions were operational.1
First Success
A Beaufighter Mk IF shot down its first enemy plane on the night of November 19, 1940.1,2 It was a Junkers Ju 88 shot down by the 604 Squadron.1
Western Desert
The Beaufighter Mk IF was used as a long range fighter in the Western Desert and from Malta.1
Coastal Command
The Beaufighter Mk IC replaced the Blenheim Mk IVFs in the Royal Air Force's Coastal Command.1 It was used from the Bay of Biscay to Norway.1
| Bristol Beaufighter Mk IC1 | Bristol Beaufighter Mk IF1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Anti shipping strike fighter1 | Night fighter1 Long range day fighter1 |
| Crew | 21 | 21 |
| Engine (Type) | 2: Bristol Hercules III1 | |
| OR | 2: Bristol Hercules XI1 | |
| Cylinders | Radial 141 | |
| Cooling | ||
| HP | 1,400 each1 | |
| OR | 1,590 each1 | |
| Propeller blades | 3 each1 | 3 each1 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Span | 57' 10"1 17.63 m1 |
57' 10"1 17.63 m1 |
| Length | 41' 4"1 12.6 m1 |
41' 4"1 12.6 m1 |
| Height | 15' 10"1 4.83 m1 |
15' 10"1 4.83 m1 |
| Wing area | ||
| Weight | ||
| Empty | 14,069 lb1 6,382 kg1 |
|
| Loaded | 21,100 lb1 9,571 kg1 |
|
| Performance | ||
| Speed @ 15,000' / 4,572 m |
323 mph1 520 kph1 |
|
| Climb | 1,850'/minute1 564 m/minute1 |
|
| Climb to 10,000' / 3,050 m |
5.8 minutes1 | |
| Service ceiling | 28,900'1 8,808 m1 |
|
| Range | 1,170 miles1 1,883 km1 |
|
| Armament | ||
| Nose | 4: 20 mm1 | 4: 20 mm1 |
| Wings | 6: 0.303" MG1 | 6: 0.303" MG1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
