Bristol 156 Beaufighter

As the Second World War loomed ever closer, the British Air Staff realised that they did not have a dedicated cannon fighter or night fighter. As the author reveals in this readable and authoritative book, the Bristol Aircraft Company soon set to work to produce what would become one of the leading RAF multi-role aircraft of the Second World War.The Beaufighter played a significant role in the Battle of Britain, painted black and swooping on its targets directed by its top secret on-board radar. The Beaufighter was soon being delivered not only to several RAF commands but also to the Commonwealth squadrons in the RAAF, RNZAF, RCAF and South African units. It was also delivered to four USAAF squadrons. The Beaufighter Mk.1F was developed for Fighter Command and the Beaufighter Mk.1C for Coastal Command. These were powered with Bristol Hercules engines. The Beaufighter Mk.II was a night-fighter version powered by Rolls-Royce Merlin XX engines. Another production variant was the Beaufighter Mk.VI maritime strike aircraft, powered by the formidable Hercules VI and XVI engines and armed with either rockets or an 18-inch torpedo.In this absorbing book, aviation expert Andrew Bird not only explores the development and deployment of the Beaufighter worldwide, including Coastal Command, North Africa and the Middle East and the Dutch East Indies, but also includes first-hand accounts from combat veterans.