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 affectionatey 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 airframe 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 RAF Bristol Beaufighter Mk. X torpedo bomber that was attached to No.254 Squadron, which was assigned to RAF Coastal Command during 1944. Sold Out!

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

Release Date: August 2012

Historical Account: "Guarding Convoys" - No.254 Squadron was formed as a shipping protection squadron, and spent the first half of the war on largely defensive duties, before becoming a torpedo bomber squadron with the North Coates strike wing from 1942 until the end of the war.

The squadron was reformed on October 30th, 1939, and was equipped with the Bristol Blenheim fighter. Convoy patrols off the East Coast began in January 1940. Reconnaissance missions were added in April 1940. The squadron also provide fighter escorts for anti-shipping strikes. In May 1941, the squadron moved from the east coast to Northern Ireland, where the convoy patrols and reconnaissance missions continued.

In June 1942, the squadron moved to Scotland, where it converted to the Bristol Beaufighter. The squadron was to provide the torpedo bomber element for the North Coates strike wing. Torpedo training began in August, and in November the squadron joined the wing, becoming the first 'Torbeau' squadron to become operational. It flew its first attack mission on November 20th, 1942, and continued in that role until the end of the war. That first attack was unsuccessful, and the wing paused operations until April 1943, by which time extra training had greatly increased its efficiency. The squadron's targets were normally surface vessels, but in the last few days of the war a number of U-boats were attacked and sunk while attempting to escape from Germany.

The squadron continued to operate the Beaufighter until October 1946, although a number of Mosquitoes joined the squadron in April-May 1945. The squadron was renumbered as No.42 Squadron on October 1st, 1946.