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{{Short description|British heavy fighter aircraft of WWII}}
{{About|the aircraft|the car|Bristol 412}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2019}}
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{{Infobox aircraft
  |name= Type 156 Beaufighter
  |image=File:Bristol_Beaufighter_Mk.IC_1944.jpg
  |image_border= yes
  |image_caption= A [[Royal Australian Air Force|RAAF]] Bristol Beaufighter Mk.IC in 1944
  |aircraft_type= [[Heavy fighter]] / [[strike aircraft]] / [[Torpedo bomber]]
  |manufacturer= [[Bristol Aeroplane Company]]
  |designer=
  |first_flight= 17 July 1939
  |introduction= 27 July 1940
  |retired= 1960
  |primary_user= [[Royal Air Force]]
  |more_users=[[Royal Canadian Air Force]]<br />[[Royal Australian Air Force]]
  |produced= May 1940–1946
  |number_built= 5,928
  |unit cost=
  |developed_from=[[Bristol Beaufort]]
  |variants=
}}

The '''Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter''' (often called '''the Beau''') is a British [[multi-role aircraft]] developed during the [[Second World War]] by the [[Bristol Aeroplane Company]]. It was originally conceived as a [[heavy fighter]] variant of the [[Bristol Beaufort]] [[torpedo bomber]]. The Beaufighter proved to be an effective [[night fighter]], which came into service with the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) during the [[Battle of Britain]], its large size allowing it to carry heavy armament and early [[AI Mark IV radar|aircraft interception radar]] without major performance penalties.

The Beaufighter was used in many roles; receiving the nicknames ''Rockbeau'' for its use as a [[rocket]]-armed [[attack aircraft|ground attack]] aircraft and ''Torbeau'' as a [[torpedo bomber]] against [[Axis powers|Axis]] shipping, in which it replaced the [[Bristol Beaufort|Beaufort]]. In later operations, it served mainly as a maritime strike/ground attack aircraft, [[RAF Coastal Command]] having operated the largest number of Beaufighters amongst all other commands at one point. The [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (RAAF) also made extensive use of the type as an anti-shipping aircraft, such as during the [[Battle of the Bismarck Sea]].

The Beaufighter saw extensive service during the war with the RAF (59 squadrons), [[Fleet Air Arm]] (15 squadrons), RAAF (seven squadrons), [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] (four squadrons), [[United States Army Air Forces]] (four squadrons), [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]] (two squadrons), [[South African Air Force]] (two squadrons) and [[Polish Air Forces in France and Great Britain|''Polskie Siły Powietrzne'']] (Polish Air Force; one squadron). Variants of the Beaufighter were manufactured in [[Australia]] by the [[Department of Aircraft Production]] (DAP); such aircraft are sometimes referred to by the name ''DAP Beaufighter''.

==Development==

===Origins===
[[File:Bristol Beauforts 217 Squadron in flight.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|left|alt=Two Bristol Beauforts in flight|Bristol Beauforts in flight]]
The concept of the Beaufighter has its origins in 1938. During the [[Munich Crisis]], the Bristol Aeroplane Company recognised that the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) had an urgent need for a long-range fighter aircraft capable of carrying heavy payloads for maximum destruction.<ref name = "moyes 3"/> Evaluation of the [[Bristol Beaufort|Beaufort]] bomber concluded that it had great structural strength and stiffness in the wings, nacelles, [[Landing gear|undercarriage]] and tail, so that the aircraft could be readily developed further for the greater speed and manoeuvrability required by a fighter-class aircraft.<ref name = "moyes 3"/> The Bristol design team, led by [[Leslie Frise]], commenced the development of a cannon-armed fighter derivative as a private venture. The prospective aircraft had to share the same [[Jig (tool)|jigs]] as the Beaufort so that production could easily be switched from one aircraft to the other.<ref name = "moyes 3"/>

As a torpedo bomber and aerial reconnaissance aircraft, the Beaufort had a modest performance. To achieve the fighter-like performance desired for the Beaufighter, Bristol suggested that they equip the aircraft with a pair of its new [[Bristol Hercules|Hercules]] engines, capable of around 1,500&nbsp;hp, in place of the 1,000&nbsp;hp [[Bristol Taurus]] engines on the Beaufort. The Hercules was a considerably larger and more powerful engine which required larger propellers; to obtain adequate ground clearance, the engines were mounted centrally on the wing, as opposed to the underslung position on the Beaufort.<ref name = "moyes 3"/> In October 1938, the project, which received the internal name ''Type 156'', was outlined. In March 1939, the ''Type 156'' was given the name 'Beaufighter'.<ref name = "moyes 4">Moyes 1966, p. 4.</ref>

During early development, Bristol had formalised multiple configurations for the prospective aircraft, including variations such as a proposed ''Type 157'' three-seat bomber outfitted with a [[Anatomical terms of location#Dorsal and ventral|dorsal]] [[Gun turret#Aircraft|gun turret]] with a pair of cannons, and what Bristol referred to as a "sports model", with a thinner fuselage, the ''Type 158''.<ref name = "moyes 4"/> Bristol proceeded to suggest their concept for a fighter development of the Beaufort to the [[Air Ministry]]. The timing of the suggestion happened to coincide with delays in the development and production of the [[Westland Whirlwind (fighter)|Westland Whirlwind]] cannon-armed twin-engine fighter.<ref>Buttler 2004, p. 38.</ref> While there was some scepticism that the aircraft was too big for a fighter, the proposal was given a warm reception by the [[Air Staff (United Kingdom)|Air Staff]].<ref name = "moyes 3"/>

The Air Ministry produced draft [[List of Air Ministry specifications#F.11/37|Specification F.11/37]] in response to Bristol's suggestion for an "interim" aircraft, pending the proper introduction of the Whirlwind. On 16 November 1938, Bristol received formal authorisation to commence the detailed design phase of the project and to proceed with the construction of four prototypes.<ref name = "moyes 3"/> Amongst the design requirements, the aircraft had to be able to accommodate the [[Rolls-Royce Griffon]] engine as an alternative to the Hercules, and had to have maximum interchangeability between the two engines, which would feature [[Power-egg#United Kingdom|removable installations]].<ref name = "moyes 3 4"/>

Bristol began building an initial prototype by taking a partly-built Beaufort out of the production line, which sped progress; Bristol had promised series production in early 1940 on the basis of an order being placed in February 1939. Designers expected that maximum re-use of Beaufort components would speed the process, but the fuselage required more work than expected and had to be redesigned.<ref>Buttler 2004, p. 40.</ref> Perhaps in anticipation of this, the Air Ministry had requested that Bristol investigate the prospects of a "slim fuselage" configuration.<ref name = "moyes 3 4">Moyes 1966, pp. 3–4.</ref> Since the "Beaufort cannon fighter" was a conversion of an existing design, development and production was expected to proceed more quickly than with a new one. Within six months the first F.11/37 prototype, ''R2052'', had been completed.<ref name = "moyes 4"/> A total of 2,100 drawings were produced during the transition from Beaufort to the prototype Beaufighter; more than twice as many were made during later development, from the prototype to the production Beaufighter. Two weeks before the prototype's first flight, an initial production contract for 300 aircraft under Specification F.11/37 was issued by the Air Ministry, ordering the type "off the drawing board".<ref name = "moyes 4"/>

===Prototypes and refinement===
On 17 July 1939, ''R2052'', the first, unarmed, prototype, conducted its [[maiden flight]], a little more than eight months after development had formally started.<ref name = "moyes 4"/> The rapid pace of development was partly due to the re-use of many elements of the Beaufort design, and frequently identical components. ''R2052'' was initially operated by Bristol for testing while it was based at [[Filton Aerodrome]].<ref name = "moyes 4"/> Early modifications to ''R2052'' included stiffening of the elevator control circuit, increased fin area and lengthening of the main [[oleo strut]] of the undercarriage to better accommodate weight increases and hard landings.<ref name = "moyes 4 5">Moyes 1966, pp. 4–5.</ref>

During the pre-delivery trials, the first prototype ''R2052'', powered by a pair of two-speed [[supercharged]] Hercules I-IS engines, had achieved 335&nbsp;mph (539&nbsp;km/h) at 16,800&nbsp;ft (5,120 m) in a clean configuration.<ref name = "moyes 5">Moyes 1966, p. 5.</ref> The second prototype, ''R2053'', which was furnished with Hercules I-M engines (similar to Hercules II) and was laden with operational equipment, had attained a lower speed of 309&nbsp;mph at 15,000&nbsp;ft. According to aviation author Philip Moyes, the performance of the second prototype was considered disappointing, particularly as the Hercules III engines of the initial production aircraft would likely provide little improvement, especially in light of additional operational equipment being installed; it was recognised that demand for the Hercules engine to power other aircraft such as the [[Short Stirling]] bomber posed a potential risk to the production rate of the Beaufighter. This sparked considerable interest in the adoption of alternative engines for the type.<ref name = "moyes 4 5"/>

[[File:252 Squadron RAF Beaufighter cockpit at Chivenor IWM CH 17305.jpg|thumb|left|Cockpit of a Beaufighter Mk.IF]]
[[Roy Fedden]], chief designer of the Bristol engine division, was a keen advocate for the improved Hercules VI for the Beaufighter but it was soon passed over in favour of the rival Griffon engine, as the Hercules VI required extensive development.<ref name = "moyes 5"/> Due to production of the Griffon being reserved for the [[Fairey Firefly]], the Air Ministry instead opted for the [[Rolls-Royce Merlin]] to power the Beaufighter until the manufacturing rate of the Hercules could be raised by a new [[shadow factory]] in [[Accrington]]. The standard Merlin XX-powered aircraft was later called the ''Beaufighter Mk.IIF''; the planned slim-fuselage aircraft, alternatively equipped with Hercules IV and Griffon engines, the ''Beaufighter Mk.III'' and ''Beaufighter Mk.IV'' respectively, were not built.<ref name = "moyes 5"/>

In February 1940, an order was placed for three Beaufighters, converted to use the alternative Merlin engine. The Merlin engine installations and [[nacelle]]s were designed by [[Rolls-Royce Limited|Rolls-Royce]] as a complete "[[power egg]]"; the design and approach of the Beaufighter's Merlin installation was later incorporated into the design for the much larger four-engined [[Avro Lancaster]] bomber.<ref name="white 64"/> Success with the Merlin-equipped aircraft was expected to lead to production aircraft in 1941.<ref name="white 64"/> In June 1940, the first Merlin-powered aircraft conducted its first flight. In late 1940, the two Merlin-equipped prototypes (the third having been destroyed in a bombing raid) were delivered.<ref name = "moyes 5 10">Moyes 1966, pp. 5, 10.</ref> Flight tests found that the Merlins left the aircraft underpowered, with a pronounced tendency to swing to port, making take-offs and landings difficult and causing a high accident rate&nbsp;– out of 337 Merlin-powered aircraft, 102 were lost to accidents.<ref name="white 64">White 2006, p. 64.</ref><ref name = "moyes 10"/>

On 2 April 1940, ''R2052'' was delivered to the RAF; it was followed by ''R2053'' two weeks later.<ref name = "moyes 5"/> On 27 July 1940, the first five production Beaufighters were delivered to the RAF along with another five on 3 August 1940. These production aircraft incorporated aerodynamic improvements, reducing [[aerodynamic drag]] from the engine nacelles and tail wheel; the oil coolers were also relocated on the [[leading edge]] of the wing.<ref name = "moyes 5"/> The armament of the Beaufighter had also undergone substantial changes, the initial 60-round capacity spring-loaded drum magazine arrangement being awkward and inconvenient; alternative systems were investigated by Bristol.<ref name = "moyes 5 6"/>

Bristol's proposed [[recoil]]-operated ammunition feed system was rejected by officials, which led to a new system being devised and tested on the fourth prototype, ''R2055''. The initial rejection was later reversed, upon the introduction of a new electrically driven feed derived from [[Manufacture d'armes de Châtellerault|Châtellerault]] designs brought to Britain by [[Free French]] officers, which was quite similar to Bristol's original proposal.<ref name = "moyes 6"/> The initial 50 production aircraft were approved for completion with a cannon-only armament. The design of the cannons and the armament configuration was revised on most aircraft. The addition of six [[M1919 Browning machine gun#Browning 03 Mark II|.303 Browning]] [[machine gun]]s made the Beaufighter the most heavily armed fighter aircraft in the world, capable of delivering a theoretical weight of fire of up to {{convert|780|lb|kg|abbr=on}} per minute; the practical rate of fire was much lower due to gun overheating and ammunition capacity.<ref name = "moyes 6"/>

Further armament trials and experimental modifications were performed throughout the Beaufighter's operational life. By mid-1941, 20 Beaufighters were reserved for test purposes, including engine development, stability and manoeuvrability improvements and other purposes.<ref name = "moyes 5 11 13">Moyes 1966, pp. 5, 11, 13.</ref> In May 1941, the Beaufighter Mk.IIs ''R2274'' and ''R2306'' were modified to the ''Beaufighter Mk.III'' standard; removing the six wing guns and two inboard cannons to install a [[Boulton-Paul]]-built four-gun turret behind the pilot, to overcome the effect of recoil and nose-down tendency when firing the usual armament, was found to obstruct the emergency egress of the pilot.<ref name = "moyes 11"/> The fourth prototype, ''R2055'', had its regular armament replaced by a pair of {{nowrap|40 mm}} guns for attacking ground targets, a [[Vickers S]] gun mounted on the starboard fuselage and a [[Rolls-Royce 40mm Cannon|Rolls-Royce BH]] gun mounted on the port fuselage; these trials also led to the Vickers gun being installed on an anti-tank [[Hawker Hurricane]] IID.<ref name = "moyes 5 11 13"/>

===Production===
[[File:Royal Air Force Fighter Command, 1939-1945. CE21.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Ground crew loading ammunition for the cannon of an RAF Beaufighter Mk.VI night fighter]]
Large orders for the Beaufighter were placed around the outbreak of the Second World War, including one for 918 aircraft shortly after the arrival of the initial production examples.<ref name = "moyes 5"/> In mid-1940, during an official visit to Bristol's Filton facility by the Minister of Aircraft Production, [[Lord Beaverbrook]], the minister spoke of the importance of the Beaufighter to the war effort and urged its rapid service entry.<ref name = "moyes 5"/> While the aircraft's size had once caused scepticism, the Beaufighter became the highest performance aircraft capable of carrying the bulky early aircraft interception radars used for night fighter operations, without incurring substantial endurance or armament penalties, and was invaluable as a night fighter.<ref name = "moyes 5"/>

For the maximum rate of production, sub-contracting of the major components was used wherever possible and two large shadow factories to perform final assembly work on the Beaufighter were established via the [[Ministry of Aircraft Production]]; the first, operated by the [[Fairey Aviation Company]], was at [[Stockport]], [[Greater Manchester]] and the second shadow, run by Bristol, was at [[Weston-super-Mare]], [[Somerset]].<ref name = "moyes 5"/> Output of the Beaufighter rose rapidly upon the commencement of production.<ref name = "moyes 5"/>

Through 1940–41, the manufacturing rate of the Beaufighter steadily rose.<ref name = "moyes 10"/> On 7 December 1940, the 100th Filton-built aircraft was dispatched; the 200th Filton-built aircraft followed on 10 May 1941. On 7 March 1941, the first Fairey-built Beaufighter Mk.I performed its first test flight; the first Weston-built aircraft reached the same milestone on 20 February 1941.<ref name = "moyes 10"/> The volume of production involved, along with other factors, had led to a shortage of Hercules engines being expected, jeopardising the aircraft's manufacturing rate.<ref name = "moyes 5"/> The next variant, the ''Beaufighter Mk.II'', used the Merlin engine instead.<ref name = "moyes 10"/> On 22 March 1941, the first production Beaufighter Mk.II, ''R2270'', conducted its maiden flight; squadron deliveries commenced in late April 1941.<ref name = "moyes 10"/>

By mid-1941, manufacture of the Beaufighter varied to meet the demands of [[RAF Fighter Command]] and [[RAF Coastal Command]].<ref name = "moyes 11"/> Early aircraft were able to be outfitted and perform with either command but later, the roles and equipment diverged, leading to the production of distinct models, distinguished by the [[suffix]]es ''F'' for Fighter Command and ''C'' for Coastal Command.<ref name = "moyes 11"/> Often, one command opted for modifications and features that the other did not. This occurred with the [[bellows]]-type [[Air brake (aeronautics)|dive brake]] that became standard for Coastal Command Beaufighters for its usefulness in torpedo-bombing.<ref name = "moyes 11 13">Moyes 1966, pp. 11, 13.</ref>

Production of the earlier Beaufort in Australia and the great success of British-made Beaufighters used by the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (RAAF), contributed to the Australian government deciding in January 1943 to manufacture Beaufighters under the [[Department of Aircraft Production]] (DAP) organisation at [[Fishermans Bend]], [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] from 1944.<ref name = "moyes 14">Moyes 1966, p. 14.</ref> The DAP Beaufighter was an attack and torpedo bomber known as the "Mk.21". Design changes included Hercules VII or XVIII engines and some minor changes in armament. By September 1945, when British production ended, 5,564 Beaufighters had been built by Bristol and the Fairey Aviation Company at Stockport and [[Manchester Airport|RAF Ringway]] (498); also by the Ministry of Aircraft Production (3336) and [[Rootes Group|Rootes]] at [[Blythe Bridge]] (260). When Australian production ceased in 1946, 364 Mk.21s had been built.<ref>Franks 2002, p. 171.</ref><ref>Hall 1995, p. 24.</ref>

==Design==
[[File:Air Ministry Second World War Official Collection CNA3943.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|A Bristol Beaufighter, with "arrowhead", [[dipole antenna#Folded dipole|folded twin-dipole]] antenna on the nose for its VHF-band AI radar.]]
The Bristol Beaufighter is a fighter derivative of the Beaufort torpedo-bomber. It is a twin-engine two-seat long-range day and night fighter.<ref name = "moyes 16">Moyes 1966, p. 16.</ref> The aircraft employed an all-metal [[monocoque]] construction, comprising three sections with extensive use of 'Z-section' frames and 'L-section' [[longeron]]. The wing of the Beaufighter used a mid-wing [[cantilever]] all-metal monoplane arrangement, also constructed out of three sections.<ref name = "moyes 16"/> Structurally, the wing consisted of two [[Spar (aeronautics)|spars]] with single-sheet webs and extruding flanges, completed with a stressed-skin covering, and had metal-framed [[aileron]]s with fabric coverings along with [[hydraulically]]-actuated [[Flap (aeronautics)|flaps]] located between the fuselage and the ailerons.<ref name = "moyes 16"/> Hydraulics were also used to retract the independent units of undercarriage, and the brakes were actuated [[pneumatically]].<ref name = "moyes 16"/>

[[File:255 Squadron RAF Beaufighter MK II at RAF Hibaldstow Sept 1941.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|left|A Merlin-powered Beaufighter night fighter Mk.II of [[No. 255 Squadron RAF]] at [[RAF Hibaldstow]] in Lincolnshire, September 1941. The Merlin [[Power-egg|power plants]] are an early type incorporating exhaust ducting to conceal the exhaust flames for night use, a method later superseded by simple exhaust shrouds]]
The twin Bristol Taurus engines of the Beaufort, having been deemed insufficiently powerful for a fighter, were replaced by more powerful two-speed supercharged Bristol Hercules [[radial engine]]s. These powered three-bladed [[Rotol]] [[constant-speed propeller]]s; both fully [[Propeller (aeronautics)#Feathering|feathering]] metal and wooden blades were used.<ref name = "moyes 16"/> The extra power had presented vibration issues during development; in the final design, the engines were mounted on longer and more flexible struts, which extended from the front of the wings. This change moved the [[centre of gravity]] (CoG) forward, which was undesirable, so the CoG was moved back by shortening the nose, which was possible as the space within the nose had been occupied by a [[bomb aimer]] in the original Beaufort torpedo bomber, unnecessary in a fighter. The majority of the fuselage was positioned aft of the wing and, with the engine cowlings and propellers now further forward than the tip of the nose, gave the Beaufighter a characteristically stubby appearance.<ref name = "moyes 3"/>

[[File:The navigator of a No. 125 Squadron Bristol Beaufighter MK VIF settles into his position, ready for another night patrol from Exeter, 14 September 1943. CH11182.jpg|thumb|Navigator position]]
In general, with the exception of the powerplants used, the differences between the preceding Beaufort and Beaufighter were minor. The wings, control surfaces, retractable landing gear and aft section of the [[fuselage]] were identical to those of the Beaufort, while the wing centre section was similar apart from certain fittings. The areas for the rear gunner and bomb-aimer were removed, leaving only the pilot in a fighter-type cockpit. The navigator-radar operator sat to the rear under a small [[Perspex]] bubble where the Beaufort's dorsal turret had been. Each crew member had his own hatch in the floor of the aircraft. The front hatch was behind the pilot's seat, whose back collapsed to allow the pilot to climb over and into the seat. In an emergency, the pilot could operate a lever that remotely released the hatch, grasp two steel overhead tubes and lift himself out of his seat, swing his legs over the open hatchway, then let go to drop through. Evacuating the aircraft was easier for the navigator, as the rear hatch was in front of him and without obstruction.<ref name="White2006">White 2006, pp. 62–64.</ref><ref name = "moyes 5 16">Moyes 1966, pp. 5, 16.</ref>

The Beaufighter's armament was located in various positions on the lower fuselage and wings. The bomb bay of the Beaufort had been entirely omitted, but a small bomb load could be carried externally. A total of four forward-firing 20&nbsp;mm [[Hispano-Suiza HS.404|Hispano Mk.I cannon]] were mounted in the lower fuselage area. These were fed from 60-round drums, requiring the radar operator to change the ammunition drums manually—an arduous and unpopular task, especially while chasing a bomber at night.<ref name = "moyes 5 6">Moyes 1966, pp. 5–6.</ref> They were soon replaced by Hispano Mk. II cannon featuring a belt-feed system.<ref name = "moyes 6">Moyes 1966, p. 6.</ref>  The cannons were supplemented by six [[.303 in]] (7.7&nbsp;mm) [[M1919 Browning machine gun|Browning]] machine guns in the wings (four starboard, two port, the asymmetry caused by the port mounting of the landing light).<ref>[http://www.squadron.com/reviews/review-tm61053.htm Bristol Beaufighter VI] squadron.com  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317030427/http://www.squadron.com/reviews/review-tm61053.htm |date=17 March 2012 }}</ref> This was one of the heavier, if not the heaviest, fighter armament of its time.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bristol Beaufighter – Variants and Stats |url=http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_beaufighter_variants.html |publisher=History of War |access-date=27 October 2015}}</ref><ref>Its armament was exceeded by the gunship variants of the US [[North American B-25 Mitchell]] and [[Douglas A-26 Invader]] medium bombers</ref> When Beaufighters were developed as fighter-torpedo bombers, often with the machine guns removed, they used their firepower to suppress [[flak]] and hit enemy ships, especially escorts and small vessels. The recoil of the  guns could reduce the speed of the aircraft by around 25 knots.<ref name="Bradley2010" />

The Beaufighter was commonly operated as a [[night fighter]], such as during the [[Battle of Britain]]. Mass production of the type came at almost exactly the same time as the first British [[aircraft interception radar]] sets were becoming available, a natural match for a night fighter. As the aircraft's  four 20&nbsp;mm cannons were mounted in the lower fuselage, the vacant nose could accommodate the radar antennas needed, and while early aircraft interception equipment was too bulky to fit in single-engine fighters of the day, it could be accommodated in the Beaufighter's spacious fuselage. At night the onboard radar enabled the aircraft to detect and locate enemy aircraft. The heavy fighter remained fast enough to catch up to slower German bombers and, with its heavy armament, deal out considerable damage to them.<ref name = "moyes 3"/> While early radar sets suffered from restrictions in range and thus initially limited the aircraft's usefulness, improved radars became available in January 1941, making the Beaufighter one of the more effective night fighters of the era.<ref name = "moyes 10"/>

==Operational service==

===Introduction===
[[File:Beaufighter252sqn.jpg|thumb|Bristol Beaufighter Mk.1 in No. 252 Squadron, North Africa]]
The Beaufighter Mk.I was heavier than single-pilot fighters, with an all-up weight of 16,000&nbsp;lb (7,000&nbsp;kg), and slower, with a maximum speed of 335&nbsp;mph (540&nbsp;km/h) at 16,800&nbsp;ft (5,000&nbsp;m). It was the only heavy fighter aircraft available, as the Westland Whirlwind had been cancelled due to production problems with its [[Rolls-Royce Peregrine]] engines.<ref name = "bower 262"/> On 12 August 1940, the first production Beaufighter was delivered to [[RAF Tangmere]] for trials with the [[Fighter Interception Unit]]. On 2 September 1940, [[No. 25 Squadron RAF|25 Squadron]], [[No. 29 Squadron RAF|29 Squadron]], [[No. 219 Squadron RAF|219 Squadron]], and [[No. 604 Squadron RAF|604 Squadron]] became the first operational squadrons to receive production aircraft, each squadron received one Beaufighter that day to begin converting from their [[Bristol Blenheim|Blenheim IF]] heavy fighters.<ref name = "moyes 6"/><ref name = "bower 262">Bowyer 2010, p. 262.</ref> The re-equipping and conversion training process took several months; on the night of 17/18 September 1940, Beaufighters of 29 Squadron conducted their first operational night patrol, conducting an uneventful sortie; the first operational daylight sortie was performed on the following day.<ref name = "moyes 7">Moyes 1966, p. 7.</ref> On 25 October 1940, the first confirmed Beaufighter kill, a [[Dornier Do 17]], was made.<ref name = "moyes 10">Moyes 1966, p. 10.</ref>

Initial production deliveries of the Beaufighter lacked the radar for night-fighter operations; these were installed by [[No. 32 Maintenance Unit RAF|No. 32 Maintenance Unit]] at [[RAF St Athan]] during late 1940.<ref name = "moyes 10"/> On the night of 19/20 November 1940, the first kill by a radar-equipped Beaufighter occurred, of a [[Junkers Ju 88]].<ref name = "moyes 10"/> More advanced radar units were installed in early 1941, which soon allowed the Beaufighter to become an effective counter to the night raids of the ''[[Luftwaffe]]''. By March 1941, half of the 22 German aircraft claimed by British fighters were by Beaufighters. During a raid on London on the night of 19/20 May 1941, 24 aircraft were shot down by fighters, against two by [[Anti-aircraft warfare|ground anti-aircraft fire]].<ref name = "moyes 10"/>

In late April 1941, the first two ''Beaufighter Mk.II'' aircraft, ''R2277'' and ''R2278'', were delivered to [[No. 600 Squadron RAF|600]] and 604 Squadrons; the former squadron was the first to receive the type in quantity in the following month.<ref name = "moyes 10 11">Moyes 1966, pp. 10–11.</ref> The Mk.II was also supplied to the [[Fleet Air Arm]] of the [[Royal Navy]].<ref name = "moyes 11">Moyes 1966, p. 11.</ref> A night-fighter ''Beaufighter Mk.VIF'' was supplied to squadrons in March 1942, equipped with [[AI Mark VIII radar]]. The Beaufighter showed its merits as a night fighter, and also performed in other capacities.<ref name = "moyes 3"/> As the faster [[de Havilland Mosquito]] took over as the main night fighter in mid-to-late 1942, the heavier Beaufighter made valuable contributions in other areas such as anti-shipping, ground attack and long-range interdiction, in every major theatre of operations.

[[File:Aircrew of No. 16 Squadron SAAF and No. 227 Squadron RAF sitting in front of a Bristol Beaufighter at Biferno, Italy, prior to taking off to attack a German headquarters building in Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia, 14 August 1944. C5894.jpg|thumb|left|Aircrew of [[No. 16 Squadron SAAF]] and No. 227 Squadron RAF sitting in front of a Beaufighter at [[Biferno]], [[Italy]], on 14 August 1944]]
On 12 June 1942, a Beaufighter conducted [[Ken Gatward#Operation Squabble|a raid]] which Moyes said was "perhaps the most impudent of the war".<ref name = "moyes 14"/> ''T4800'', a Beaufighter Mk.1C of No. 236 Squadron, flew from [[Thorney Island (West Sussex)|Thorney Island]] to occupied [[Paris]] at an extremely low altitude in daylight to drop a [[Flag of France|French tricolor flag]] on the [[Arc de Triomphe]] and strafe the [[Gestapo]] headquarters in the [[Place de la Concorde]].<ref name = "moyes 14"/>

The Beaufighter soon commenced service overseas, where its ruggedness and reliability quickly made the aircraft popular with crews. However, it was heavy on the controls and not easy to fly, with landing being a particular challenge for inexperienced pilots.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bristol Beaufighter|url=http://www.aviation-history.com/bristol/beaufite.html|publisher=Aviation History|access-date=27 October 2015}}</ref> Due to wartime shortages, some Beaufighters entered operational service without [[Propeller (aeronautics)#Feathering|feathering equipment for their propellers]]. As some models of the twin-engined Beaufighter could not stay aloft on one engine unless the dead propeller was feathered, this deficiency contributed to several operational losses and the deaths of aircrew.<ref>Bailey 2005, p. 114.</ref>

In the Mediterranean, the [[United States Army Air Forces]] (USAAF) [[414th Combat Training Squadron|414th]], [[415th Special Operations Squadron|415th]], 416th and [[417th Weapons Squadron|417th]] night fighter squadrons received a hundred Beaufighters in the summer of 1943, achieving their first victory in July 1943. Through the summer, the squadrons conducted daytime convoy escort and ground-attack operations but primarily flew as night fighters. Although the [[Northrop P-61 Black Widow]] fighter began to arrive in December 1944, USAAF Beaufighters continued to fly night operations in Italy and France until late in the war. By the autumn of 1943, the Mosquito was available in enough numbers to replace the Beaufighter as the primary RAF night fighter. By the end of the war some 70 pilots serving with RAF units had become [[Flying ace|aces]] while flying Beaufighters. At least one captured Beaufighter was operated by the ''Luftwaffe''&nbsp;– there is a photograph of the aircraft in flight with German markings.<ref>Roba 2009, p. 140.</ref>

===Coastal Command===
[[File:Royal Air Force Coastal Command, 1939-1945. CH9765.jpg|thumb|A Mk.VIC loaded with an [[British 18 inch torpedo#18 inch Mark XII|
18-inch Mark XII torpedo]]]]
It was recognised that RAF Coastal Command required a long-range heavy fighter aircraft such as the Beaufighter, and in early 1941 Bristol proceeded with the development of the ''Beaufighter Mk.IC'' long-range fighter. Based on the standard Mk.I model, the initial batch of 97 Coastal Command Beaufighters were hastily manufactured, making it impossible to incorporate the intended additional wing fuel tanks on the production line; 50-gallon tanks from the [[Vickers Wellington]] were temporarily installed on the floor between the cannon bays.<ref name = "moyes 11"/> In April/May 1941, this new variant of the Beaufighter entered squadron service in a detachment from [[No. 252 Squadron RAF|252 Squadron]] operating from [[Malta]]. This inaugural deployment with the squadron proved to be highly successful, leading to the type being retained in that theatre throughout the remainder of the war.<ref name = "moyes 11"/> In June 1941, the Beaufighter-equipped [[No. 272 Squadron RAF|272 Squadron]] based on Malta claimed the destruction of 49 enemy aircraft and the damaging of 42 more.<ref name = "moyes 14">Moyes 1966, p. 14.</ref> The Beaufighter was reputedly very effective in the [[Mediterranean]] against Axis shipping, aircraft and ground targets; Coastal Command was, at one point, the majority user of the Beaufighter, replacing its inventory of obsolete Beaufort and Blenheim aircraft. To meet demand, both the Fairey and Weston production lines were, at times, only producing Coastal Command Beaufighters.<ref name = "moyes 11"/>

[[File:Beaufighter 252 Squadron.jpg|thumb|Bristol Beaufighter Mk.Ic of the [[No. 252 Squadron RAF|252 Squadron]] RAF, 1942]]
In 1941, to intensify offensive air operations against Germany and deter the deployment of ''Luftwaffe'' forces onto the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]], Coastal Command Beaufighters began offensive operations over France and Belgium, attacking enemy shipping in European waters.<ref name = "moyes 13">Moyes 1966, p. 13.</ref> In December 1941, Beaufighters participated in [[Operation Archery]], providing suppressing fire while [[British Commandos]] landed on the occupied Norwegian island of [[Vågsøy (island)|Vågsøy]]. In 1942, long range patrols of the [[Bay of Biscay]] were routinely conducted by Beaufighters, intercepting aircraft such as the Ju-88 and [[Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor]] operating against Allied anti-submarine patrols.<ref name = "moyes 13"/> Beaufighters also cooperated with the British [[Eighth Army (United Kingdom)|Eighth Army]] during action in the [[Western Desert Campaign]], often by ground [[strafing]].<ref name = "moyes 14"/>

In mid-1942, Coastal Command began to take delivery of the improved ''Beaufighter Mk.VIC''. By the end of 1942, Mk.VICs were being equipped with external torpedo-carrying gear for the [[British 18-inch torpedo|British 18&nbsp;in (450&nbsp;mm)]] or the US 22.5&nbsp;in (572&nbsp;mm) torpedo; navigators were not happy about carrying the torpedo, as they were unable to use the escape hatch until after the torpedo had been dropped. In April 1943, the first successful torpedo attacks by Beaufighters was performed by [[No. 254 Squadron RAF|254 Squadron]], sinking two merchant ships off Norway.

[[File:Royal Air Force Coastal Command, 1939-1945. CH13179.jpg|thumb|left|A TF Mk.X being loaded with RP-3 rockets]]
The Hercules Mk.XVII engine, developing 1,735&nbsp;hp (1,294&nbsp;kW) at 500&nbsp;ft (150&nbsp;m), 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 called the Mk.XIC. Beaufighter TF Xs could make precision attacks on shipping at wave-top height with torpedoes or [[RP-3]] (60&nbsp;lb) rockets. Early models of the Mk.X carried centimetric-wavelength ASV (air-to-surface vessel) radar with "herringbone" antennae on the nose and outer wings, but this was replaced in late 1943 by the centimetric AI Mk.VIII radar housed in a "thimble-nose" radome, enabling all-weather and night attacks.
[[File:Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Coastal Command C4944.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Two [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] Beaufighters - one visible at the right - [[strafing]] [[Vorpostenboot]] ''[[German trawler V 1605 Mosel|Mosel]]'', 14 October 1944]]
The North Coates Strike [[Wing (military aviation unit)#Current use|Wing]] of Coastal Command, based at [[RAF North Coates]] on the Lincolnshire coast, developed tactics that combined large formations of Beaufighters, using cannons and rockets, to suppress flak, while the Torbeaus attacked at low level with torpedoes. These tactics were put into practice in mid-1943, and in ten months 29,762&nbsp;tons (84,226 m<sup>3</sup>) of shipping were sunk. Tactics were further refined when shipping was moved from port during the night. The North Coates Strike Wing operated as the largest anti-shipping force of the Second World War, and accounted for over 150,000&nbsp;tons (424,500 m<sup>3</sup>) of shipping and 117 vessels, most of which were small fishing and coastal 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 and 1945.

===Pacific War===
[[File:Beaufighter (AWM OG0001).jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Beaufighter of [[No. 30 Squadron RAAF]] adjacent to Hombrom's Bluff near [[Port Moresby]] in [[Papua New Guinea]], 1942.]]
The Beaufighter arrived at squadrons in Asia and the Pacific in mid-1942. A British journalist said that [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]] soldiers called it the "whispering death" for its quiet engines, although this is not supported by Japanese sources.<ref name = "moyes 3">Moyes 1966, p. 3.</ref><ref>Bowyer 1994, p. 90.</ref> The Beaufighter's Hercules engines used [[sleeve valve]]s, which lacked the noisy valve gear common to [[poppet valve]] engines. This was most apparent in a reduced noise level at the front of the engine.

In the [[South-East Asian Theatre]], the Beaufighter Mk.VIF operated from India as a night fighter and on operations against Japanese lines of communication in Burma and Thailand. Mk.X Beaufighters were also flown on long range daylight intruder missions over Burma. The high-speed, low-level attacks were very effective, despite often atrocious weather conditions and makeshift repair and maintenance facilities.<ref>Browne, Anthony Montague, Long Sunset: Memoirs of Winston Churchill's Last Private Secretary London 1995 Chapter 3 {{ISBN|0304344788}}</ref>

====Southwest Pacific====
[[File:Bismarck Sea 127968.jpg|thumb|Flight Lieutenant Ron "Torchy" Uren of [[No. 30 Squadron RAAF]] takes a drink from his water canteen while in the cockpit of his Beaufighter during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. Still frame from ''[[The Bismarck Convoy Smashed]]'' (1943) by [[Damien Parer]]]]
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) was a keen operator of the Beaufighter during the Second World War. On 20 April 1942, the RAAF's first ''Beaufighter IC'' (an Australian designation given to various models of the aircraft, including ''Beaufighter VIC'', ''Beaufighter X'', and ''Beaufighter XIC''), which had been imported from Britain, was delivered; the last aircraft was delivered on 20 August 1945.<ref name = "moyes 14"/> Initial RAAF deliveries were directed to [[No. 30 Squadron RAAF|No. 30 Squadron]] in [[New Guinea]] and [[No. 31 Squadron RAAF|No. 31 Squadron]] in North-West Australia.<ref name = "moyes 14"/>

Before DAP Beaufighters arrived at RAAF units in the [[South West Pacific Theatre]], the Beaufighter Mk.IC was commonly employed in anti-shipping missions. The most famous of these was the [[Battle of the Bismarck Sea]], during which Beaufighters were used in a fire-suppression role in a mixed force with USAAF [[Douglas A-20 Boston]] and [[North American B-25 Mitchell]] bombers.<ref name = "moyes 16"/> Earlier in the battle, eight Beauforts from [[No. 100 Squadron RAAF]] at [[Milne Bay]] had unsuccessfully attacked the Japanese troop convoy with torpedoes and scored no hits. Thirteen Beaufighters of No. 30 Squadron flew in at mast height to provide heavy suppressive fire for the waves of attacking bombers. The Japanese convoy, under the impression that they were under attack by Beaufort torpedo bombers, made the tactical error of turning their ships towards the aircraft to avoid presenting their sides to attack, which allowed the Beaufighters to inflict severe damage on the ships' anti-aircraft guns, bridges and crews with strafing runs along the length of the ships with their four 20&nbsp;mm nose cannons and six wing-mounted .303&nbsp;in (7.7&nbsp;mm) machine guns.<ref name="battleforaustralia.org.au">{{cite web |url=http://www.battleforaustralia.org.au/BABismarkSea.php |title=The Battle of the Bismarck Sea |publisher=Battle for Australia Association |access-date=21 November 2020}}</ref> The Japanese ships were left exposed to mast-height bombing and [[skip bombing]] attacks by the US [[medium bomber]]s. Eight transports and four destroyers were sunk for the loss of five aircraft, including one Beaufighter.<ref name = "moyes 16"/><ref name="Bradley2010"/>

The role of the Beaufighters during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea was recorded by war correspondent and film-maker [[Damien Parer]], who had flown during the engagement standing behind the pilot of one of the No. 30 Squadron aircraft; the engagement led to the Beaufighter becoming one of the more well-known aircraft in Australian service during the conflict.<ref name = "moyes 16"/><ref name="Bradley2010">Bradley [https://books.google.com/books?id=l7BVAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA20 2010, p. 20.]</ref> On 2 November 1943, in another high-profile event Beaufighter ''A19-54'' won the second of two unofficial races against an A-20 Boston bomber.<ref name = "moyes 16"/>

===Postwar===
[[File:Armourers of the Royal Air Force attach rockets to a Bristol Beaufighter aircraft of 45 Squadron prior to its flying a strike operation on a communist terrorist target in the Malayan jungle.jpg|thumb|A [[No. 45 Squadron RAF|45 Squadron]] Beaufighter is loaded with rockets for use against communist forces during the [[Malayan Emergency]], 1948–1949]]
From late 1944, RAF Beaufighter units were engaged in the [[Greek Civil War]], finally withdrawing in 1946. From August 1948, Beaufighters were used during the [[Malayan Emergency]], carrying out air strikes against communist forces. Initially this was done by a detachment from [[No. 84 Squadron RAF|84 Squadron]] but they were later replaced by all of [[No. 45 Squadron RAF|45 Squadron]]. In December 1949, 45 Squadron's Beaufighters were replaced with the [[Bristol Type 164 Brigand]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jackson |first=Robert |title=The Malayan Emergency and Indonesian confrontation : the Commonwealth's wars |publisher=Pen & Sword Aviation |year=2011 |isbn=9781848845558 |oclc=752679822}}</ref> which had been designed using components of the Beaufighter's failed stablemate, the [[Bristol Buckingham]].

The Beaufighter was also used by the air forces of [[Portuguese Air Force|Portugal]], Turkey and the Dominican Republic. It was used briefly by the [[Israeli Air Force]] after some ex-RAF examples were clandestinely purchased in 1948.

Many Mk.10 aircraft were converted to the target tug role postwar as the TT.10 and served with several RAF support units until 1960. The last flight of a Beaufighter in RAF service was by TT.10 ''RD761'' from [[Seletar Airport|RAF Seletar]] on 12 May 1960.<ref>Thetford, 1976. p. 144.</ref>

==Variants==
;Beaufighter Mk.IF: Two-seat night fighter variant equipped with [[AI Mark IV radar]] and Hercules XI engines

;Beaufighter Mk.IC: The "C" stood for Coastal Command variant; many were modified to carry bombs

;Beaufighter Mk.IIF: Due to allocation of the Hercules engine for the [[Short Stirling]] bomber programme, the Mk.IIF night fighter was produced with Rolls-Royce Merlin XX engines.

;Beaufighter Mk.III/IV:
:The Mk.III and Mk.IV were to be Hercules and Merlin powered Beaufighters with a new, slimmer fuselage, carrying an armament of six cannon and six machine guns that improved performance. The necessary costs of the changes to the production line led to the curtailing of the marks.<ref>Buttler, 2004.</ref>{{page needed|date=June 2022}}

;Beaufighter Mk.V: The Mk.V had a [[Boulton Paul]] turret with four 0.303&nbsp;in (7.7&nbsp;mm) machine guns mounted aft of the cockpit supplanting one pair of cannon and the wing-mounted machine guns. Only two (Merlin-engined) Mk.Vs were built. When tested by the A&AEE, ''R2274'' was capable of {{convert|302|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} at {{convert|19,000|ft|m|abbr=on}}.<ref>Buttler 2004, p. 63.</ref>

;Beaufighter Mk.VI: The Hercules-powered Mk.VI was the next major version appearing in 1942 and over 1,000 examples were built. Changes included a [[Dihedral (aeronautics)|dihedral]] tailplane.<ref>Franks 2002, pp. 65–67.</ref>

;Beaufighter Mk.VIC: Coastal Command version, similar to the Mk.IC

;Beaufighter Mk.VIF: Night fighter equipped with [[AI Mark VIII radar]]

;Beaufighter Mk.VI (ITF): Interim torpedo fighter version

;Beaufighter Mk.VII: Proposed Australian-built variant with Hercules 26 engines, not built

;Beaufighter Mk.VIII: Proposed Australian-built variant with Hercules XVII engines, not built

;Beaufighter Mk.IX: proposed Australian-built variant with Hercules XVII engines, not built
[[File:Een Bristol Beaufighter Mk. VI, uitgerust met een torpedo, in de start (2157-066-001).jpg|thumb|right|Beaufighter Mk. X]]
;Beaufighter TF Mk.X: Two-seat torpedo fighter aircraft, dubbed the "Torbeau". Hercules XVII engines with cropped superchargers improved low-altitude performance. The last major version (2,231 built) was the Mk.X. The later production models featured a dorsal tailfin extension.<ref>Franks 2002, pp. 70–72.</ref>

;Beaufighter Mk.XIC: Coastal Command version of the Mk.X, with no torpedo gear

;Beaufighter Mk.XII: Proposed long-range variant of the Mk.XI with drop tanks, not built

;Beaufighter Mk.21: The Australian-made DAP Beaufighter. Changes included Hercules XVII engines, four 20&nbsp;mm cannon in the nose, four Browning .50&nbsp;in (12.7&nbsp;mm) in the wings and the capacity to carry eight 5&nbsp;in (130&nbsp;mm) [[High Velocity Aircraft Rocket]]s, two 250&nbsp;lb (110&nbsp;kg) bombs, two 500&nbsp;lb (230&nbsp;kg) bombs and one Mark 13 torpedo.

[[File:Bristol 156 Beaufighter TT.10 SR911 34 Sqn Teversham 06.51 edited-2.jpg|thumb|Beaufighter TT.10 target tug of 34 Squadron in 1951]]
;Beaufighter TT Mk.10: After the war, many RAF Beaufighters were converted into target tug aircraft

;Australian experimental prototypes:
* Twin Merlin engines;{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}
* 40 mm Bofors gun fitted.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

==Operators==
{{See also|List of Bristol Beaufighter operators}}

{{div col}}
* {{AUS}}
* {{flag|Canada|1921}}
* {{DOM}}
* {{GBR}}
* {{ISR}}
* {{flag|Nazi Germany}} ([[Kampfgeschwader 200|captured aircraft]])
* {{NZL}}
* {{NOR}}
* {{POL}}
* {{PRT}}
* {{flag|South Africa|1928}}
* {{flag|Turkey}}
* {{flag|United States|1912}}
{{div col end}}

==Survivors==

===Museum display===
[[File:A8-328-A8-39 (16638727051).jpg|thumb|''A8-328'' at the Australian National Aviation Museum, 2014]]
[[File:RAF Museum London IMG 9888 (33392475493).jpg|thumb|''RD253'', RAF Museum, 2017]]
[[File:2017-12-07 15-18-47.D200.Wright-Patterson USAF Musem.4.hdr.jpg|thumb|Beaufighter Mk.Ic ''A19-43'', National Museum of the United States Air Force, 2017]]
;Australia
* Beaufighter Mk.XXI ''A8–186'' – Built in Australia in 1945, ''A8–186'' saw service with [[No. 22 Squadron RAAF]] at the very end of World War 2. After spending some years on a farm in New South Wales, it was bought in 1965 by the Camden Museum of Aviation, a private aviation museum at [[Camden Airport (Sydney)|Camden Airport]], Sydney Australia. It was restored using parts gathered from a wide variety of sources and wears "Beau-gunsville" nose art. (They also have a complete nose section that was found at a Sydney Railway workshops and acquired by the museum; see "Harry's Baby", below.<ref>{[http://camdenmuseumofaviation.com.au/aircraft_collection_details.asp?id=10 "Beaufighter 156 Mark 21 A8-186."] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409001658/http://camdenmuseumofaviation.com.au/aircraft_collection_details.asp?id=10 |date=9 April 2013 }} ''Camden Museum of Aviation''. Retrieved: 27 March 2013.</ref>
* Beaufighter Mk.XXI ''A8–328'' – This Australian–built aircraft is displayed at the [[Australian National Aviation Museum]] near Melbourne as ''A8-39/EH-K''. Completed on the day the Pacific War ended, it saw post-war service as a target-tug.<ref>[http://www.aarg.com.au/beaufighter.htm "DAP Mark 21  Beaufighter, A8–328."] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070403130047/http://www.aarg.com.au/beaufighter.htm |date=3 April 2007 }} ''Australian National Aviation Museum''. Retrieved: 27 March 2013.</ref>
* Beaufighter Mk.XXI ''A8-386'' – nose section only, displayed at the Camden Museum of Aviation with "Harry's Baby" nose art.<ref>[http://warbirdregistry.org/beaufighterregistry/beaufighter-a8386.html "Beaufighter/A8-386."] ''beaufighterregistry''. Retrieved: 3 April 2015.</ref>
;United Kingdom
* Beaufighter TF.X, ''RD253'' – Displayed at the [[Royal Air Force Museum]] in London, this aircraft flew with the [[Portuguese Air Force]] as ''BF-13'' in the late 1940s. It was used as an instructional airframe before its return to the UK in 1965. Restoration was completed in 1968, using components scavenged from a wide variety of sources, including some parts recovered from a crash site.<ref>Simpson, Andrew. [http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/collections/74-A-13-Beaufighter-X-RD253.pdf  "Individual History: Bristol Beaufighter TF Mark X RD253/BF-13/7931M."] ''Royal Air Force Museum''. Retrieved: 27 March 2013.</ref>
* Beaufighter TF.X ''RD220'' – This aircraft is currently displayed while under restoration at the [[National Museum of Flight]] at East Fortune Airfield, east of Edinburgh. Post-war, it served with the Portuguese naval air arm. After passing through the hands of the Portuguese ''[[Museu do Ar]]'' and the [[South African Air Force Museum]], it was acquired by National Museums Scotland in 2000.<ref>[http://www.nms.ac.uk/our_museums/museum_of_flight/things_to_see_and_do/aircraft/1939-1945/beaufighter.aspx "Bristol Beaufighter TF.X."] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327203543/http://www.nms.ac.uk/our_museums/museum_of_flight/things_to_see_and_do/aircraft/1939-1945/beaufighter.aspx |date=27 March 2013 }} ''National Museums Scotland''.  Retrieved: 27 March 2013.</ref>
;United States
* Beaufighter Mk.Ic ''A19-43''<ref>[http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1294014/ "Bristol Beaufighter IC, A19-43 / T5049 / Night Mare, National Museum of the United States Air Force."] ''Air-Britain Photographic Images Collection''. Retrieved: 27 March 2013.</ref> – On public display at the [[National Museum of the United States Air Force]], [[Dayton, Ohio]], since October 2006. Although flown in combat in the south-west Pacific by [[No. 31 Squadron RAAF|31 Squadron]] [[Royal Australian Air Force]], ''A19-43'' is painted as ''T5049'', ''Night Mare'', a USAAF Beaufighter flown by Capt. Harold Augspurger, commander of the 415th Night Fighter Squadron, who shot down a [[Heinkel He 111]] carrying German staff officers in September 1944. The Beaufighter was recovered from a dump at [[Nhill]], Australia, in 1971, where it had been abandoned in 1947. It was acquired by the USAF Museum in 1988.<ref>[http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/beaufighter/A19-43.html "Bristol Beaufighter Mark Ic Serial Number A19-43."] ''Pacificwrecks.com'', 26 July 2011. Retrieved: 28 March 2013.</ref>

===Under restoration or stored===
[[File:A19-144 A8-324 Bristol Beaufighter (9460730110).jpg|thumb|''A19-144'', at the [[Imperial War Museum Duxford]] (2013)]]
* Beaufighter Mk.Ic ''A19-144'' – Owned by [[The Fighter Collection]] at the [[Imperial War Museum Duxford]], this aircraft has been undergoing a lengthy restoration to flying status for many years. It is a composite aircraft built using parts from ''JM135/A19-144'' and ''JL946/A19-148''.<ref>[http://warbirdregistry.org/beaufighterregistry/beaufighter-jm135.html "Beaufighter/JM135."] ''warbirdregistry.org''. Retrieved: 3 April 2015.</ref>
* Beaufighter Mk.IF ''X7688'' – Owned by the [[Historical Aircraft Restoration Society]] (HARS) in Australia, this aircraft is being restored to fly. It will be a composite airframe based on X7688 (forward fuselage and center-section), with parts from other aircraft.
* Beaufighter TF.X ''RD867'' – In storage at the [[Canada Aviation Museum]], ''RD867'' awaits restoration. It is a semi-complete RAF restoration but lacks engines, cowlings or internal components. It was received from the RAF Museum in exchange for a [[Bristol Bolingbroke]] in 1969.

===Known wrecks===
A number of sunken aircraft are known; in 2005, the wreck of a Beaufighter (probably a Mk.IC flown by Sgt Donald Frazie and navigator Sgt Sandery of No. 272 Squadron RAF) was identified about {{convert|0.5|mi|km|adj=on}} off the north coast of Malta. The aircraft ditched in March 1943, after an engine failure occurred soon after take-off and lies inverted on the sea bed, in {{convert|38|m|ft}} of water.<ref>Trzcinski, Marcin. {{usurped|[https://web.archive.org/web/20130928055402/http://www.divernetxtra.com/wrecks/1105beaufighter.shtml "On! On!"]}} ''Diver'', 2005. Retrieved: 3 April 2015.</ref>

Another Mediterranean wreck lies in {{convert|34|m|ft}} of water near the Greek island of [[Paros]].<ref>[http://www.parosadventures.com/activities/beaufighter-wreck/ "Beaufighter Wreck Paros"]. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904044802/http://www.parosadventures.com/activities/beaufighter-wreck/ |date=4 September 2013 }} Paros Adventures. Retrieved: 28 March 2013.</ref> This is possibly Beaufighter TF.X ''LX998'' of [[603 Squadron]], which was shot down after destroying a German [[Arado Ar 196]] during an anti-shipping mission in November 1943. The Australian crew survived and were rescued by a British submarine.

A Mk.VIC Beaufighter, serial A19-130, lies in {{convert|204|ft|m}} of water, just off the coast of [[Fergusson Island]] in the western Pacific. It was lost in almost identical circumstances to the Malta aircraft&nbsp;– it ditched in August 1943 after an engine failure soon after takeoff. The aircraft sank within seconds, but both crew and their passenger escaped and swam to shore. The wreck was located in 2000.<ref>[http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/beaufighter/A19-130.html "Bristol Beaufighter Mark VIc Serial Number A19-130"]. Pacificwrecks.com, 26 July 2011. Retrieved: 27 March 2013.</ref>

A Beaufighter lies at a depth of around 30 metres in the Høydalsfjorden in Norway. This aircraft was shot-down on 7 February 1945, during a strike against German shipping that resulted in a dogfight with German aircraft with heavy losses, known as [[Black Friday (1945)|Black Friday]]. The wreck has become a [[dive site]] for recreational divers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dive Bergen |url=http://www.divenorway.com/dive_bergen.html |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=www.divenorway.com}}</ref>

In May 2020, the wreck of a Beaufighter TF.X, believed to be ''JM333'' of No. 254 Squadron, was uncovered by shifting sands on [[Cleethorpes]] beach near [[Grimsby]]. The aircraft was ditched on 21 April 1944 after suffering a double engine failure shortly after takeoff from North Coates. The crew survived uninjured.<ref>[https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/grimsby-news/hidden-wreck-raf-beaufighter-emerges-4165555 "Hidden Wreck of RAF Fighter Emerges from Sands on Cleethorpes Beach"]. Grimsby Live, 28 May 2020. Retrieved: 1 June 2020.</ref>

==Specifications (Beaufighter TF Mk.X)==
[[File:Bristol Beaufighter.svg|thumb|{{center|Orthographic projection of the Beaufighter TF Mark X, with inset profiles of Mark I(F), Mark II(F) and Mark V and of UHF-band [[radome]] and VHF-band [[dipole antenna#Folded dipole|"arrowhead" radar antenna]] fitments}}]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=''Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II,''<ref name="Janes">Bridgman 1946, pp. 110–111.</ref> ''The Bristol Beaufighter I & II''.<ref name = "moyes 16">Moyes 1966, p. 16.</ref>
|prime units?=imp
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=2
|length ft=41
|length in=4
|length note=
|span ft=57
|span in=10
|span note=
|height ft=15
|height in=10
|height note=
|wing area sqft=503
|wing area note=<ref name="March British p57">March 1998, p. 57.</ref>
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil='''root:''' RAF-28 (18%); '''tip:''' RAF-28 (10%)<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>
|empty weight lb=15592
|empty weight note=
|gross weight lb=
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight lb=25400
|max takeoff weight note=with one torpedo
|fuel capacity={{cvt|550|impgal|USgal l}} normal internal fuel
* '''Maximum fuel capacity:''' {{cvt|682|impgal|USgal l}}  (with optional 2 × {{cvt|29|impgal|USgal l}} external tanks / 1 × {{cvt|24|impgal|USgal l}} tank in lieu of port wing guns / 1 × {{cvt|50|impgal|USgal l}} tank in lieu of stbd. wing guns)
|lift lb=<!-- lighter-than-air -->
|lift note=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=2
|eng1 name=[[Bristol Hercules XVII]] or [[Bristol Hercules XVIII]]
|eng1 type=14-cylinder air-cooled sleeve-valve radial piston engines
|eng1 hp=1600

|prop blade number=3
|prop name=constant-speed propellers
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed mph=320
|max speed note=at {{cvt|10000|ft}}
|max speed mach=<!-- supersonic aircraft -->
|cruise speed mph=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed mph=
|minimum control speed note=
|range miles=1750
|range note=
|combat range miles=
|combat range note=
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling ft=19000
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|glide ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|climb rate ftmin=1600
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass=

|more performance=
<!--
        Armament
-->
|guns=
{{break}}
** 4 × {{cvt|20|mm|3}} [[Hispano-Suiza HS.404|Hispano Mark II cannon]] (240 rpg) in nose
** 6 × .303 (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns in wings four starboard two port (optional, replacing internal long range fuel tanks)
** 1 × manually operated {{cvt|0.303|in}} Browning for observer (if fitted)
|bombs= 2 × {{cvt|250|lb}} bombs ''or'' 1 × [[British 18 inch torpedo|British 18 inch (45 cm) torpedo]] ''or'' 1 × [[Mark 13 torpedo]]
|rockets= 8 × [[RP-3]] {{cvt|60|lb}} rockets
|missiles=
|hardpoints=
|hardpoint capacity=
|hardpoint rockets=
|hardpoint missiles=
|hardpoint bombs=
|hardpoint other=

|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Aviation}}
{{aircontent
|related=
* [[Bristol Beaufort]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[de Havilland Mosquito]]
* [[Douglas A-20 Havoc]]
* [[Douglas A-26 Invader]]
* [[Fokker G.I]]
* [[Heinkel He 219]]
* [[I.Ae. 24 Calquin]]
* [[Kawasaki Ki-45]]
* [[Lockheed P-38 Lightning]]
* [[Northrop P-61 Black Widow]]
* [[Petlyakov Pe-3]]
|lists=
* [[List of aircraft of the United Kingdom in World War II]]
* [[List of aircraft of World War II]]
|see also=
}}

==References==

===Notes===
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book |last=Ashworth |first=Chris |title=RAF Coastal Command: 1936–1969 |publisher=Patrick Stephens Ltd. |location=London, UK |year=1992 |isbn=1-85260-345-3}}
* {{cite book |last=Bailey |first=James Richard Abe |title=The Sky Suspended |publisher=Bloomsbury |location=London, UK |year=2005 |isbn=0-7475-7773-0}}
* {{cite book |last=Bingham |first=Victor |title=Bristol Beaufighter |publisher=Airlife Publishing Ltd. |location=Shrewsbury, UK |year=1994 |isbn=1-85310-122-2}}
* {{cite book |last=Bowyer |first=Chaz |title=Beaufighter |publisher=William Kimber |location=London, UK |year=1987 |isbn=0-7183-0647-3}}
* {{cite book |last=Bowyer |first=Chaz |title=Beaufighter at War |publisher=Ian Allan Ltd. |location=London, UK |year=1994 |isbn=0-7110-0704-7}}
* {{cite book |last=Bowyer |first=Michael J. F. |title=The Battle of Britain: The Fight for Survival in 1940 |publisher=Crécy Publishing |location=Manchester, UK |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-85979-147-2}}
* {{cite book |last=Buttler |first=Tony |title=British Secret Projects — Fighters and Bombers 1935–1950 |publisher=Midland Publishing |location=Hinckley, UK |year=2004 |isbn=1-85780-179-2}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Bridgeman |editor-first=Leonard |title=The Bristol 156 Beaufighter |publisher=Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II |location=London, UK |year=1946 |isbn=1-85170-493-0}}
* {{cite book |last=Flintham |first=V. |title=Air Wars and Aircraft: A Detailed Record of Air Combat, 1945 to the Present |publisher=Facts on File |location=New York, US |year=1990 |isbn=0-8160-2356-5}}
* {{cite book |last=Franks |first=Richard A. |title=The Bristol Beaufighter, a Comprehensive Guide for the Modeller |publisher=SAM Publications |location=Bedford, UK |year=2002 |isbn=0-9533465-5-2}}
* {{cite book |last1=Gilman |first1=J.D. |last2=Clive |first2=J. |title=KG 200 |type=novel |publisher=Pan Books Ltd. |location=London, UK |year=1978 |isbn=978-1-902109-33-6}}
* {{cite book |last=Hall |first=Alan W. |title=Bristol Beaufighter (Warpaint No. 1) |publisher=Hall Park Books |location=Dunstable, UK |year=1995}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Howard |title=Bristol Beaufighter: The Inside Story |magazine=Scale Aircraft Modelling |volume=11 |issue=10 |date=July 1989}}
* {{cite book |last=Innes |first=Davis J. |title=Beaufighters over Burma – 27 Sqn RAF 1942–45 |publisher=Blandford Press |location=Poole, Dorset, UK |year=1985 |isbn=0-7137-1599-5}}
* {{cite book |last=Macaulay |first=R.H.H. |title=Beaufighter: The Account of the Part Played by the Aircraft in Defence and Offence 1940–1944 |publisher=Gale & Polden |location=London, UK |year=1944}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=March |editor-first=Daniel J. |title=British Warplanes of World War II |publisher=Aerospace Publishing |location=London, UK |year=1998 |isbn=1-874023-92-1}}
* {{cite book |last=Mason |first=Francis K. |title=Archive: Bristol Beaufighter |publisher=Container Publications |location=Oxford, UK}}
* {{cite book |last=Moyes |first=Philip J.R. |title=The Bristol Beaufighter I & II (Aircraft in Profile Number 137) |publisher=Profile Publications Ltd. |location=Leatherhead, Surrey, UK |year=1966}}
* {{cite book |last=Parry |first=Simon W. |title=Beaufighter Squadrons in Focus |publisher=Red Kite |location=Walton on Thames, Surrey, UK |year=2001 |isbn=0-9538061-2-X}}
* {{cite book |last=Roba |first=Jean Louis |title=Foreign Planes in the Service of the Luftwaffe |publisher=Pen & Sword Aviation |year=2009 |isbn=1-84884-081-0}}
* {{cite book |last=Scutts |first=Jerry |title=Bristol Beaufighter |series=Crowood Aviation Series |publisher=The Crowood Press Ltd. |location=Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wiltshire, UK |year=2004 |isbn=1-86126-666-9}}
* {{cite book |last=Scutts |first=Jerry |title=Bristol Beaufighter in Action (Aircraft number 153) |publisher=Squadron/Signal Publications |location=Carrollton, Texas |year=1995 |isbn=0-89747-333-7}}
* {{cite book |last=Spencer |first=Dennis A. |title=Looking Backwards Over Burma: Wartime Recollections of a RAF Beaufighter Navigator |publisher=Woodfield Publishing Ltd. |location=Bognor Regis, West Sussex, UK |year=2009 |isbn=1-84683-073-7}}
* {{cite book |last=Thetford |first=Owen |title=Aircraft of the Royal Air Force since 1918 |publisher=Putnam & Company |location=London, UK |year=1976 |isbn=978-0-37010-056-2}}
* {{cite book |last=Thomas |first=Andrew |title=Beaufighter Aces of World War 2 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |location=Botley, UK |year=2005 |isbn=1-84176-846-4}}
* {{cite book |last=White |first=Graham |title=The Long Road to the Sky: Night Fighter Over Germany |publisher=Casemate Publishers |location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |year=2006 |isbn=978-1-84415-471-5}}
* {{cite book |last=Wilson |first=Stewart |title=Beaufort, Beaufighter and Mosquito in Australian Service |publisher=Aerospace Publications |location=Weston, ACT, Australia |year=1990 |isbn=0-9587978-4-6}}

==Further reading==
* Bradley, Phillip. ''To Salamaua''. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2010. {{ISBN|978-1-107-27633-8}}.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Bristol Beaufighter}}
{{External media|topic= |width=26% |float=right |video1=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsUdbzQCm_Y Period newsreel on the Beaufighter, featuring footage of RAF operations by Coastal Command and in North Africa] |video2=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psUvAUw37D8 Documentary on the Beaufighter, focusing on its Australian service] |video3=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azanISsx19c Australian 1943 propaganda film on the destruction of a Japanese invasion convoy in the Bismark Sea involving Beaufighters]}}
* [http://www.austinmemories.com Austin & Longbridge Aircraft Production]
* [http://www.afwing.com/images/p61/beau2f.jpg A picture of a Merlin-engined Beaufighter II] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104133950/http://www.afwing.com/images/p61/beau2f.jpg |date=4 January 2018 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070517045714/http://www.vicflintham.co.uk/post-war-military-aircraft/beau/beau.html Bristol Beaufighter further information and pictures]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20141104123759/http://home.btconnect.com/myrcomm/beaufighters/beau/index.html Beaufighter Squadrons]
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psUvAUw37D8|title=Beaufighter – Whispering Death, The Forgotten Warhorse|date=16 March 2013|website=You Tube GB|publisher=c4nucksens8tion|access-date=28 April 2016}}
* [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1943/1943%20-%202151.html "Torpedo Beaufighter"] a 1943 ''Flight'' article
* [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1945/1945%20-%201162.html "Whispering Death"] a 1945 ''Flight'' article on Beaufighters in Burma
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304091027/http://www.avia-it.com/act/profili_daerei/libretti_velivolo/PA_libretti_PDF/Beaufighter.pdf Pilot's Notes]}}

{{Bristol aircraft}}
{{ADF aircraft designations}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Bristol Aeroplane Company aircraft|Beaufighter]]
[[Category:1930s British fighter aircraft]]
[[Category:Twin piston-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Mid-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1939]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable conventional landing gear]]