Beaufighter TF.Mk.X
Item #61067

Product Description

About the Bristol Beaufighter TF.Mk.X
Making use of its sturdy construction and ample weaponry, the
RAF's multipurpose Bristol Beaufighter fulfilled a wide variety
of duties throughout World War II. At first, these planes showed
their effectiveness as night interceptors, until that duty was
passed on to the faster Mosquito. The Beaufighter's main role
became ground attack and anti-shipping strike.
The next generation of the Beau, the TF.Mk.X, used a 1770hp
Hercules XVI engine and heightened anti-ship attack capabilities.
Its deadly arsenal consisted on one eighteen-inch torpedo or two
500 lbs bombs, plus eight rocket projectiles. The nose of the
plane housed a special navigation system as well as an Al Mk.8
radar for surface and submarine detection. Starting in early
1944, the TF.Mk.Xs were deployed to Coastal Squadrons 144, 235
and 404. In a typical anti-ship attack, the rocket equipped Beaus
would first approach the enemies ships at low altitude, firing
their rockets. The torpedo equipped Beaus would then follow up,
launching their torpedoes at the weak spots of the damaged
vessels.

In the Normandy Invasion, the Coastal Squadrons moved their bases
to the south of England. From there, the Mk.Xs attacked and sunk
many German destroyers and torpedo boats. In March 1945, in the
span of only forty-eight hours, Squadrons 236 and 254, flying
Mk.Xs, located and destroyed 5 U-boats.

Suggested Paint Colors

AS-10 - Ocean Gray (RAF)
X-10 - Gun Metal
X-11 - Chrome Silver
X-12 - Gold Leaf
X-18 - Semi Gloss Black
X-25 - Clear Green
X-27 - Clear Red
X-7 - Red
XF-1 - Flat Black
XF-10 - Flat Brown
XF-15 - Flat Flesh
XF-19 - Sky Grey
XF-2 - Flat White
XF-21 - Sky
XF-27 - Black Green
XF-3 - Flat Yellow
XF-49 - Khaki
XF-5 - Flat Green
XF-50 - Field Blue
XF-52 - Flat Earth
XF-6 - Copper
XF-64 - Red Brown
XF-65 - Field Grey