Let's dedicate a thread to the standard torpedo-bomber of the Coastal Command ( at least until 1943 ). Over 1200 had been built in Britain by 1944, an additional 700 in Australia. Involved in attacks on the German warships Gneisenau, Scharnhorst and Prinz Eugen. Yet, little has been written about this aircraft. I guess it has been overshadowed by its younger stablemate, the Beaufighter. But, how did the Beaufort perform ?
"Beaufort" I can never think of the "Beaufort" without being reminded of that film footage of three of them flying past a warship at high speed. The planes are filmed from the ship and are flying by in line astern formation only about 50 metres away the side of the ship. They are slightly staggered in height with the first plane being the lowest. Just as the leader passes the stern of the ship he decides to do a zoom climb, only to have the second Beaufort fly right into him and the third then to fly into the resulting mass of debris. What a fuck up ! The aircrew were all Australian who, in common with the rest of their countrymen, were renowned for their lack of discipline. Malladyne
