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Britain's Bristol Beaufighter Mk X1
Bristol Beaufighter TF.X2
Design
The Beaufighter TF.X was especially designed for low level attacks.2 It could also carry a AI Mk. VIII air surface radar.2
To help cure a stability problem, late models had a dorsal fin extension.2
Usage
The Bristol Beaufighter Mk X was used by Australia, Britain, and New Zealand.2
The Beaufighter TF.X entered service in 1943.2
U-boat's Enemy
The TF.X was very effective against U-boats and in the course of two days in March 1945, the No 236 and No 254 Squadrons sank five.2
After World War II Serve
The Beaufighter TF.X soldiered on into May 1960 with the last one used as a target tower.2
| Bristol Beaufighter TF.X2 | Bristol Beaufighter TF Mk X1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Anti shipping strike fighter2 | Low level strike fighter1 |
| Crew | 22 | 21 |
| Engine (Type) | 2: Bristol Hercules XVII2 | 2: Bristol Hercules XVIII piston1 |
| OR | 2: Bristol Hercules XVIII2 | |
| Cylinders | Radial 142 | Radial1 |
| Cooling | ||
| HP | 1,735 each2 | 1,770 each1 |
| Propeller blades | 3 each2 | 3 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Span | 57' 10"2 17.63 m2 |
58'1 17.63 m1 |
| Length | 41' 8"2 12.7 m2 |
42'1 12.7 m1 |
| Height | 15' 10"2 4.83 m2 |
16'1 4.83 m1 |
| Wing area | 503 ft2 1 46.73 m2 1 |
|
| Weight | ||
| Empty | 15,600 lb2 7,076 kg2 |
15,507 lb1 7,076 kg1 |
| Loaded | 25,400 lb2 11,521 kg2 |
25,200 lb1 11,431 kg1 |
| Performance | ||
| Speed @ 1,312' / 400 m |
330 mph1 488 kph1 |
|
| Speed @ 10,000' / 3,050 m |
318 mph2 512 kph2 |
|
| Cruising speed | 205 mph2 330 kph2 |
|
| Climb | 1,600'/minute2 488 m/minute2 |
|
| Service ceiling | 19,000'2, 29,000'1 4,570 m1, 5,792 m2 |
|
| Range | 1,470 miles1,2 2,366 km1,2 |
|
| Armament | ||
| Nose | 4: 20 mm2 | |
| Wings | 6: 0.303" MG2 | |
| Forward firing | 6: 7.7 mm MGs | |
| OR | 4: 20 mm1 | |
| Dorsal position | 1: 7.7 mm Vickers "K"1 1: 0.303" MG2 |
|
| Bombs | 230 lb bombs1 113 kg bombs1 2: 250 lb2 OR 1: 500 lb2 2: 113 kg2 OR 1: 227 kg2 |
|
| OR | ||
| Rockets | 8: 90 lb/ 41 kg air to surface rockets1 8: Rockets2 |
|
| OR | ||
| Torpedo | 1: 22.5"2 1: 57 cm2 |
|
| OR | 1: 18"2 1: 46 cm2 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
