Bristol Beaufighter fighter jet: Launch of mass production

Launch of mass production

Small-scale production of the twin-engine Beaufighter I fighter began at Filton in May 1940. The first two production aircraft were undergoing operational tests before this type entered the squadrons of the Royal Air Force in September. The remaining fighters, produced between June and August 1940, filled aircraft parking lots at the Filton factory Airport waiting for Hercules III engines, as their production developed very slowly, and at first they were installed on four-engine Stirling I and two Wellington III bombers. Only the intensification of night raids by German bomber aircraft on British cities accelerated the allocation of a sufficient number of Hercules III engines for Beaufighter I fighters. In fighter command, the Beaufighters were supposed to serve as night fighters, and in coastal Command, they were supposed to serve as long-range fighters.

On July 26, 1940, the Ministry of Aviation officially adopted the Beaufighter I fighter, initially deciding to equip two fighter squadrons of the fighter aviation Command and one coastal defense detachment with fighters of this type. In the case of fighter Command, these were to be night fighter squadrons, and Coastal Command aircraft were to protect convoys around the British Isles from German aircraft, reconnaissance seaplanes, and torpedo bombers. Such attacks were carried out during the day, necessarily without the cover of single-engine fighters, as they lacked the range for this. Beaufighter coped well with this type of aircraft without accompanying fighters.

Since Fighter Aviation Command and Coastal Defense Aviation Command fighters differed in equipment, additional distinctive features were introduced for them: Beaufighter IF (Fighter Command) and Beaufighter IC (Coastal Command). In addition to the obvious fact of installing an on-board radar sight on the first variant (although early-series aircraft were not manufactured from factories without radar), the second one has additional marine rescue equipment in the form of a boat, a shortwave radio station for long-range communications and a direction finder for navigation over the sea. The antenna of the latter was installed instead of photoresin on the rear of the fuselage, behind the cockpit. Melbet is a globally operating bookmaker offering services in various regions. Licensed by Curacao gaming authorities, this online betting platform delivers punters a safe betting experience and an opportunity to enjoy a wide range of services, including bonus offers. This article aims to give a detailed analysis of the melbet promo code when registering a new account to get $150 bonus at the sportsbook or $1750 at the casino.