History
Background
The Bristol Beaufighter Mk VIF was the sixth major production variant of the Beaufighter, developed in mid-1941. Originally intended to be powered by Merlin engines, the Mk VI ultimately used 1,650-hp Bristol Hercules VI or XVI radial engines due to overwhelming demand for Merlins by the Hurricane, Spitfire, and Lancaster production lines. These engines were fitted to the existing Mk I airframe to create the Mk VI. The new variant achieved a top speed of 333 mph at an altitude of 15,600 feet and a cruising speed of 243 mph.
Designated “Mk VIF” with the “F” denoting its role as a fighter, this subvariant featured a 12-degree dihedral tailplane and was equipped with the AI Mk IV radar, easily recognized by its “bow and arrow” style antenna array.
Those Beaufighters entered operational service with the RAF in March 1942. It soon became one of the most important aircraft in the RAF’s long-range fighter and strike squadrons operating in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Far East. The Mk VIF also served as a radar-equipped night fighter, patrolling bomber streams over Germany. In the Mediterranean theater, the RAF continued operating Mk VIFs until the North African campaign ended in May 1943. A total of 1,830 Mk VI aircraft were produced before production shifted to newer variants.
USAAF Service
Four USAAF night fighter squadrons of the 12th Army Air Force, the 414th, 415th, 416th, and 417th NFS, were deployed to the United Kingdom in early 1943 before their assignment to North Africa. These squadrons had previously flown the P-70, a night fighter variant of the A-20 Havoc, but performance shortcomings led to the P-70s being left behind in the United States.
Through coordination with the RAF, more than 100 Beaufighter Mk VIFs were transferred to the USAAF in March and April 1943. American crews trained with RAF Beaufighter units in the UK. The transition was challenging for many American pilots, most of whom had just graduated from flight school, due to differences in undercarriage layout and flight characteristics. The powerful twin-engine Beaufighter was a handful for inexperienced pilots, and some aircraft were damaged during takeoff accidents. Ground crews also faced a steep learning curve as they adapted to unfamiliar British engines and systems.
By May 1943, the squadrons had relocated to Algeria. The 414th NFS arrived at La Sénia Airfield on May 10, becoming the first to be declared operational. The 415th followed two days later. The 416th and 417th NFS arrived at Tafaraoui Airfield, becoming operational by August 8. Some of the Beaufighters delivered to the USAAF retained the AI Mk IV radar in the short nose, while others received the improved AI Mk VIII radar housed in a thimble nose radome.
The first confirmed aerial victory by a USAAF Beaufighter occurred on July 24, 1943, when a Heinkel He 115 was shot down. These squadrons supported the Allied invasion of Sicily in July and the Salerno landings in August. Though night combat was sporadic, all squadrons contributed to convoy escort, interception missions, and ground-attack operations as the Allied advance moved up through Italy.
In December 1944, the Northrop P-61 Black Widow began arriving to replace the Beaufighters. The 414th and 415th squadrons transitioned first, followed by the 416th, which reequipped with de Havilland Mosquito night fighters late in the war. The 417th NFS, however, retained its Beaufighters until the end of hostilities.
The final victory came on December 28, 1944, when the 417th downed a Junkers Ju 290. Many other engagements resulted in probable or damaged claims, which was a common outcome in night fighting conditions.
Despite low activity in their theaters of operation, the squadrons flying the Beaufighter Mk VIF scored 32 confirmed aerial victories:
- 414th NFS: 8 kills
- 415th NFS: 11 kills
- 416th NFS: 4 kills
- 417th NFS: 9 kills
An honorable mention goes to Captain Harold Augspurger, commander of the 415th NFS, who piloted Beaufighter Mk VIF T5049, nicknamed “Night Mare.” In September 1944, he shot down a Heinkel He 111 carrying German staff officers. In tribute, a Beaufighter Mk. Ic (A19-43) was repainted to represent Night Mare and is currently on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.
