Bristol Beaufighter / DAP Beaufighter
Technical Information

Background
The Bristol Beaufighter was a twin engine fighter/bomber that was fast, heavily armed and armored and was constructed from the tail of a Beaufort. In the Pacific, used for low level attacks. The Allies claimed the Beaufighter was dubbed "The Whispering Death" because of the speed at which one could suddenly strike and depart.

Wartime History
During World War II, Beaufighters were exported and served in both the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF).

In Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) service Beaufighters built in the United Kingdom were assigned the serial number prefix A19.

Starting in January 1943, the Australian Government decided to build the Beaufighter in Australia. During 1944, the Department of Aircraft Production (DAP) at Fishermans Bend in Melbourne began building the Beaufighter Mark 21 model with a total of 364 built when production ceased in 1946. The Australian version had Hercules VII or XVIII engines and some minor changes in armament configuration. In Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) service DAP built Beaufighters were assigned the A8 prefix for serial numbers. Until 1950, the Australians used the Beaufighter as a front line fighter.

Mark Ic: A19-1 to A19-72

Mark VIc: A19-73 to A19-136

Mark X: A19-149, A19-150, A19-153 to A19-155, A19-159, A19-162, A19-164 to A19-218

Mark XIc : A19-137 to A19-148, A19-151, A19-152, A19-156 to A19-158, A19-160, A19-161, A19-163

Mark 21 : A8-1 to A8-365

On September 21, 1945 British production ceased. In 1946, Australian production at Department of Aircraft Production (DAP) ceased. The Beaufighter was replaced by the Bristol Brigand.

Production
A total of 5,928 were built including 5,564 in the United Kingdom plus 364 in Australia.

5,564 Beaufighters built by Bristol and the Fairey Aviation Company at Stockport. 498 built by RAF Ringway. 3,336 built by the Ministry of Aircraft Production and 260 built by Rootes at Blythe Bridge. A total of 364 Beaufort Mark 21 were built by Australian Department of Aircraft Production (DAP) until early 1946.

Technical Details
Crew   Two (pilot and observer/gunner)
Engine  2 x Bristol Hercules XVII fourteen-cylinder two-row sleeve-valve radial engines with three bladed propeller
Span  57' 10"
Length  41' 4"
Height  15' 10"
Maximum Speed  320 mph
Range 1,400 miles
Armament  (fuselage) 4 x 20mm Hispano Mark II cannon with 240 rounds per gun (wings) 6 x Browning .303 machine guns
(observer) 1 x .303 in Browning machine gun facing rear
Ordnance  18" torpedo or 8 x rockets