Developed as a private venture by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, the Beaufighter was a two-seat all-metal fighter using components from the Beaufort torpedo-bomber. First flown on July 17th, 1939, the Beaufighter eventually equipped 52 RAF squadrons, giving outstanding service during World War II, in particular as a night-fighter and torpedo-bomber (where the aircraft were affectionately known as 'Torbeaus').

Entry into Fighter Command service came during August 1940 with the Fighter Interception Unit at Tangmere. The following month, five squadrons received the Mark 1F equipped with Mark IV Air Intercept radar for night-fighter duties although the type's first kill wasn't until November of that year. The Beaufighter continued as a night-fighter until 1943, and the last aircraft (a TT10) was not retired from RAF service until 1960, nearly 21 years after the type's first flight.

1941 saw the development of the Beaufighter Mk.IC long-range heavy fighter. This new variant entered service in May 1941 with a detachment from No. 252 Squadron operating from Malta. The aircraft proved so effective in the Mediterranean against shipping, aircraft and ground targets that Coastal Command became the major user of the Beaufighter, replacing the obsolete Beaufort and Blenheim.

Coastal Command began to take delivery of the up-rated Mk.VIC in mid 1942. By the end of 1942, Mk VICs were being equipped with torpedo-carrying gear, enabling them to carry the British 18-inch or the US 22.5-inch torpedo externally. The first successful torpedo attacks by Beaufighters came in April 1943, with No. 254 Squadron sinking two merchant ships off Norway.

The Hercules Mk XVII, developing 1,735 hp at 500 feet was installed in the Mk VIC air frame to produce the TF Mk.X (Torpedo Fighter) - commonly known as the "Torbeau." The Mk X became the main production mark of the Beaufighter. The strike variant of the "Torbeau" was designated the Mk.XIC. Beaufighter TF Xs would make precision shipping attacks at wave-top height with torpedoes or rockets. Early models of the Mk Xs carried metric-wavelength ASV (air-to-surface vessel) radar with "herringbone" antennae carried on the nose and outer wings, but this was replaced in late 1943 by the centimetric AI Mark VIII radar housed in a "thimble-nose" radome, enabling all-weather and night time attacks.

The North Coates Strike Wing (Coastal Command), based at RAF North Coates on the Lincolnshire coast, developed attack tactics combining large formations of Beaufighters on anti-flak suppression with cannon and rockets while the Torbeaus attacked on low level. These tactics were put into practice in mid 1943 and in a 10-month period 27,000 tonnes of shipping were sunk. Tactics were further adapted when shipping was moved from port during night hours. North Coates Strike Wing operated as the largest anti-shipping force of the Second World War, and accounted for over 150,000 tons of shipping and 117 vessels for a loss of 120 Beaufighters and 241 aircrew killed or missing. This was half the total tonnage sunk by all strike wings between 1942-45.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale Royal Australian Air Force Bristol Beaufighter TF.X torpedo bomber that was dubbed "The Ancient Mariner", and was attached to No.404 "Buffalo" Squadron, then deployed to RAF Dallachy, Scotland, during October 1944. Pre-order! Ship Date: 2026.

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 9-3/4-inches
Length: 7-inches

Release Date: ?

Historical Account: "Home on the Range" - Flying some of the most dangerous strike missions of the Second World War, the Bristol Beaufighters of the Dallachy Strike Wing were charged with a maritime battle that simply had to be won. Denying Germany access to the valuable raw materials she needed to feed her war industries, these aircraft were sent to attack Axis shipping, attempting to sail the length of the Norwegian coast to Germany.

They became so proficient in their work that the ships were unable to sail during daylight hours. Instead, they would fjord hop under the cover of darkness, and seek the protection offered by the steep fjord cliffs, and heavy flak batteries by day. Once detected, however, the Dallachy Beaufighters would immediately attack, using tactics perfected to avoid the potential for collision, or aircraft loss due to friendly fire during these frenzied attacks.

Battling against hostile terrain, murderous anti-aircraft defenses and vast expanses of ocean, these missions required the resolve of a special breed of airmen and aircraft tough enough to cope with such demanding conditions.

After providing strike cover in the run-up to and during D-Day, No.404 'Buffalo' Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force returned to Scotland and RAF Dallachy in October 1944. There, they continued their fight against Axis shipping off the Norwegian coast, becoming one of the most effective anti-shipping strike units of the Second World War.