Bristol Beaufighter

Originally designed as a heavy fighter version of the Bristol Beaufort torpedo bomber, the Beaufighter developed into a multi-role aircraft. Its large size enabled it to carry early AI radar sets along with a heavy armament of four 20mm cannon and six .303 machine guns, making it an effective night fighter.

Later variants were able to carry torpedoes and rockets for the strike role, where it was employed for anti-shipping strikes and ground attack.

Photographs of each variant and operators of the Beaufighter can be found in the links below.

Variants

• Prototypes
• Bristol Beaufighter Mk IC
• Bristol Beaufighter Mk IF
• Bristol Beaufighter Mk IIF
• Bristol Beaufighter Mk V
• Bristol Beaufighter Mk VIC
• Bristol Beaufighter Mk VIC (ITF)
• Bristol Beaufighter Mk VIF
• Bristol Beaufighter TF Mk. X
• Bristol Beaufighter Mk XIC
• Bristol Beaufighter TT Mk. 10
• Bristol Beaufighter Mk 21

Operators

• Australia
• Canada
• Dominican Republic
• France – Vichy
• Israel
• Italy
• New Zealand
• Poland
• Portugal
• South Africa
• Turkey
• USA