BRISTOLBRISTOL BEAUFIGHTERBEAUFIGHTER M kMk.X.X 6363
four extra tanks in the wings...
the outermost pair of which
necessitated swapping-out the
wing guns. This system would
remain a feature through to the
very last TF.Xs built in 1945.
The up-engined Mk.VIC followed,
and the first examples entered
squadron service in early 1942.
Other than Hercules VI engines
that produced 250 additional
horsepower, and the introduction
of a dihedral tailplane early in the
production programme, these were
very similar to the earlier mark. As
Coastal Command’s anti-shipping
war evolved towards the strike
wing concept, the Coastal Fighter
role was expanded to include anti-
flak operations (while escorting
anti-shipping strike aircraft)with machine guns, cannon
and occasional pairs of 250lb
(113kg) bombs. Later in 1942 a
special version of the Mk.VIC, the
Mk.VIC Interim Torpedo Fighter
(ITF), was produced to replace
Hampden TB.Is then operated
for torpedo strike. By April 1943,
when the command was on the
eve of making multi-squadron
strike wing operations a matter of
routine, 144 and 254 Squadrons
had these on strength. The strike
wing concept centred on two
(later, three or four) co-located
squadrons pairing up to form
a larger cohesive unit; on any
given mission, one would focus
its efforts on flak suppression,
the other on the primary task
of sinking ships. Typically (butnot exclusively as was the case
with 254 Squadron), units that
had started as Coastal Fighter
specialists became anti-flak
experts, where those with some
prior experience in torpedo strike
and general reconnaissance
were a natural fit for the actual
strike aspect. Learning costly
lessons from a disastrously
premature start in November
1942, the reconsidered 1943 strike
wing tactics featured tightly
coordinated, phased suppression
and strike waves over the target,
clear preplanning based on the
latest target intelligence, and
long-range fighter escort (mostly
Mustangs). The basic concept
continued to evolve to embrace
new technology, improved tactics
and targets.The ultimate Coastal
Beaufighter
In the spring of 1942, gun-nosed
Mosquitos started to fill theflight lines at Fighter Command
nightfighter bases. Beaufighter
Mk.VIFs continued to come off
production lines into January
1944, as the trickle of the
sleeker, faster de Havilland twin
turned steadily to crescendo.
Also in 1942, engineers were
busy further refining the
Beaufighter for low-level
operations. With nightfighter
production commitments winding
down and Coastal Command
(in addition to other overseas
commands) already convinced
of the type’s multi-role strike
efficacy, fulfilment of the new
spec' was already close at hand.
The resulting Beaufighter TF.X
(Torpedo Fighter, Mark 10) made
its first flight in February 1943
and was in Coastal Command
service by June (248 Squadron).
The new aircraft was outwardly
similar to the Mk.VIC ITF. Only
close examination would reveal
TF.X-specific external features404 Squadron Beafighter TF.X LZ451 at Dallachy, in Jan-Feb 1945. This aircraft
was on operations since delivery in October 1943. Note the dome-headed screws
mounting the venturi box to the fuselage. (Ed Lee via author)A TF.X cockpit in mid-late 1944. The box to the right of the pilot’s shoulder
holds fuel gauges for optional long-range tanks in the wings. To the left ahead of
the instrument panel, above the engine controls, is the radio-altimeter indicator.
High on the armoured windscreen is the mounting hardware for the torpedo
sight. (Atrill collection)This combat veteran entered service with the squadron in March 1944. The reference photo for this profile had her under repairs after surviving the February 9, 1945 ‘Black
Friday’ combat over Forde Fjord. Built with the standard tailplane, the modified example (enlarged elevator) she sports here was likely installed during prior maintenance.LZ407 of 455 Sqn, RAAF, Dallachy Strike Wing,
February 10, 1945, post ‘Black Friday’58-64_History.CC.indd 63 19/03/2015 15:20