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About the Bristol Beaufighter TF.Mk.X
Making use of its sturdy
construction and ample weaponry, the RAF's multipurpose Bristol Beaufighter
fulfilled a wide variety of duties throughout World War II. At first, these
planes showed their effectiveness as night interceptors, until that duty was
passed on to the faster Mosquito. The Beaufighter's main role became ground
attack and anti-shipping strike.
The next generation of the
Beau, the TF.Mk.X, used a 1770hp Hercules XVI engine and heightened anti-ship
attack capabilities. Its deadly arsenal consisted on one eighteen-inch torpedo
or two 500 lbs bombs, plus eight rocket projectiles. The nose of the plane
housed a special navigation system as well as an Al Mk.8 radar for surface and
submarine detection. Starting in early 1944, the TF.Mk.Xs were deployed to
Coastal Squadrons 144, 235 and 404. In a typical anti-ship attack, the rocket
equipped Beaus would first approach the enemies ships at low altitude, firing
their rockets. The torpedo equipped Beaus would then follow up, launching their
torpedoes at the weak spots of the damaged vessels.
In the Normandy Invasion,
the Coastal Squadrons moved their bases to the south of England. From there, the
Mk.Xs attacked and sunk many German destroyers and torpedo boats. In March 1945,
in the span of only forty-eight hours, Squadrons 236 and 254, flying Mk.Xs,
located and destroyed 5 U-boats.
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AS-10 - Ocean Gray
(RAF) |
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X-10 - Gun Metal |
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X-11 - Chrome Silver |
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X-12 - Gold Leaf |
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X-18 - Semi Gloss
Black |
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X-25 - Clear Green |
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X-27 - Clear Red |
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X-7 - Red |
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XF-1 - Flat Black |
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XF-10 - Flat Brown |
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XF-15 - Flat Flesh |
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XF-19 - Sky Grey |
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XF-2 - Flat White |
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XF-21 - Sky |
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XF-27 - Black Green |
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XF-3 - Flat Yellow |
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XF-49 - Khaki |
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XF-5 - Flat Green |
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XF-50 - Field Blue |
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XF-52 - Flat Earth |
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XF-6 - Copper |
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XF-64 - Red Brown |
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XF-65 - Field Grey |
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