Bristol Beaufighter Mk.Vif, Sqn. Leader J. H. Etherton, No. 176 Squadron, Ceylon, 1945 (1:72)

The Beaufighter Mk. VIF was a night-fighter version of the Mk. VI that was equipped with AI Mark VIII radar. The Mk. VI had the improved Hercules engines with over 1,000 aircraft of this variant being made. Most of the Beau night-fighters were eventually replaced in this role by the faster Mosquito but the Beau continued to fight on performing anti-shipping duty as well as ground attack and long range interdiction. The Beaufighter was produced in 14 variants and operated by 11 countries.

Beaufighter Mk. VIF ND220 belonged to Sqn Ldr J.H. Etherton of the 176th Sqn stationed at Minneriya Ceylon from late 1944 until April 1945. Etherton was a Beaufighter Ace with 6 kills in North Africa before joining the 176th. He used the aircraft to visit remote units of the squadron and was painted in full South-East Asia Command markings but lacked aircraft letters. On June 28 1945 the aircraft swung on take-off collapsing the undercarriage and writing the aircraft off.

Specifications Bristol Beaufighter Mk. VIF

Aircraft Type ' Night Fighter

Crew ' 2

Performance
Engine ' (2) Bristol Hercules VI, 14 cylinder radial, 1,670 hp each turning (3) bladed propellers
Speed ' 333 mph (536kph) @ 15,600 ft (4,755 m)
Time To Climb to 15,000 ft (4,572 m) ' 7.8 minutes
Service Ceiling ' 26,500 ft (8,077 m)
Range ' 1,540 miles (2,478 km)

Dimensions
Wingspan ' 57 ft 10 in (17.64 m)
Length ' 41 ft 8 in (12.7 m)
Height ' 15 ft 10 in (4.82 m)
Wing Area ' 503 ft sq (46.73 m sq)

Weight
Empty ' 14,600 lbs (6,623 kg)
Loaded ' 21,600 lbs (9,798 kg)

Armament
Nose ' (4) 20 mm
Port Wing ' (2) 7.7 mm Machine guns
Starboard Wing ' (4) 7.7 mm Machine guns