74 Vol. 10 / No. 4 / April 2018 Global Aviator
be Germany, and the new Defiant
would inflict significant damage on
the slower bombers. Such a theory
offered great possibilities, but in the
unforgiving arena of air combat it would
be revised in a most salutary manner.
Boulton Paul’s submission for the
new fighter was well received by the
Air Ministry. In 1935 work began on
the prototype, a well proportioned
monoplane, similar in dimension to
the Hurricane, although more angular
in the wing area. Like the Hurricane it
was powered by a Rolls Royce Merlin,
with a predicted maximum speed
over 300 mph. In August 1937 the
Defiant prototype made its maiden
flight, revealing few shortcomings
in performance and handling. It was
ordered into quantity production,
but two years were to elapse before
it entered squadron service
Meanwhile the Hawker project,
which closely followed the design
of the Henley light bomber never
progressed beyond one example. In
any case, the Hotspur, the name it was
allotted was unlikely to offer a superior
performance to the Defiant, which
saw the Hawker project terminated.
In March 1940 the Defiant entered
service with 264 squadron and by May
the unit was deemed to be operational.
On May 11, operating from Duxford
they achieved immediate success
with the destruction of a Ju88. The
turret-fighter concept seemed to be
vindicated but on the following day
there was a prophetic omen. After
destroying four Ju87s over the Dutch
coast, the six Defiants were set upon
by the escorting Me109s. Five Defiantswere brought down; their loss causing
an immediate review of their ability
to operate in daylight. Despite these
setbacks there was still to be one brief
moment of glory for the Defiant.
During the Dunkirk evacuation
a mixed formation of Defiants and
Hurricanes was engaged in strength
by Me109s. In the ensuing melee the
RAF claimed the destruction of 37
of the opposing 109s. Such a claim
sounds wildly optimistic and there
was a suggestion that the Germans
mistook the Defiants for Hurricanes. If
that was the case it was unlikely they
would repeat the error, and shortly
afterwards the type was withdrawn
from daylight operations. An obvious
alternative for the Defiant was in the
night interceptor role. Eventually
thirteen squadrons were raised, andDefiant N1671, RAF Museum, 2015
Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough,
Cambs, UK - Boulton Paul Defiant
I ‘N1671’. This is the sole surviving
complete Defiant. It was saved by the
AHB (Air Historical Branch) in 1944
and stored until 1958 went it began
making static appearances. Repainted
in to a night-fighter scheme in 1967.
Went on display at Hendon when the
museum opened in 1972 and moved to
the Battle of Britain Hall in 1978 and
was there until removed for restoration
in 2009. The restoration was carried out
to an extremely high standard by MAPS
(Medway Aircraft Preservation Society)
and the aircraft returned to Hendon
in early 2013, now in an accurate and
genuine 307 (Polish)sqn colour scheme.
This aircraft served with 307sqn as
both a day fighter and a night fighter
and remains on display in the Battle of
Britain Hall. RAF Museum, Hendon,
London, UK. 22-3-2015A bit of history
Boulton Paul
Defiant I