- Yes - TT
- Yes - Event / BP
- Yes - Premium
- I do not want the TF Mk.X (Late) in game
Introduction:
With the widespread use of the Beaufigher Mk.X to the RAF and Coastal Command as their workhorse strike aircraft, the Mk.X naturally found itself being substantially modified during it’s production run, including the introduction of a Air-Air radar set and improved suspended armament.
These modifications distinguished the late models of the aircraft visually, most notably with the ‘thimble’ style radome, and the dorsal fin on the vertical stabiliser.
History:
Learning from the use of Radar in earlier operations, the Mk.X initially had a Anti Surface Vessel (ASV) radar with a ‘herringbone’ aerial, however this was soon replaced as it was discovered that the Air Intercept Mk.VIII radar (AI Mk.VIII) could detect surfaced submarines without modification, enabling the Mk.X to detect both air and surfaced targets. the AI Mk.VIII was introduced in 1942, before the Mk.X (early) entered service in 1943, however the two were not married until 1944.
In the development of the Mk.X (Late) the six wing mounted .303 machine guns were deleted allowing for long range fuel tanks to be installed, the 20mm Hispano guns had their ammunition increased from 240 to 283 rounds per gun, and the wing pylons were strengthened, allowing for the fitting of 1000lb bombs on the outer wing, as well as the standard drop tank or 250lb bombs on the centre line. This also increased the total amount of suspended armament able to be carried at once. It was found that these changes significantly increased the swing on take off, and so the dorsal fin developed for the Beaufighter Mk.II were fitted to solve this issue.
These improved models served with their unmodified counterparts joined the fleet of aircraft in 1944, and served until the end of the war. Some continued to serve in the Greek Civil War, pulling out in 1946, with their service ending in the Malayan emergency, being replaced in British service by the Bristol Brigand in 1948. Post war many aircraft were converted to the TT.10 specification, being used for target towing.
Dimensions:
Length: 41ft 4in (12.6m)
Span: 57ft 10in (17.75m)
Height: 15ft 10in (4.84m)
Wing area: 503 ft² (46.73m²)
Propulsion:
2x Bristol Hercules XVII,
1,750 hp ea, 3,500 hp total
Weight:
Gross weight: 25,200lb (11,440kg)
Empty weight: 15,600lb (7,082kg)
Flight preformance:
Max Speed: 320mp/h (488kp/h) @ 1,300ft (396m)
Max cruising speed : 249 mp/h (401kp/h) @ 5,000ft (1,525m)
Service ceiling: 15,000ft (4,575m)
Range: 1,470mi ( 2,365m) @ 205mp/h (330kp/h) @ 5,000ft (1,525m)
Crew: 2
Radar specifications (AI Mk.VIII):
Range: 400-30,000ft (120-9,140m)
Band: S (3.3Ghz)
Beam width: 12°
Altitude: 500ft and above (150m)
Azimuth: 45° to either side
Elevation: 45° up and down
Power: 25kW
Armament
Guns
4x 20mm Hispano Mk.II (283rpg)
Turrets:
1x Browning .303
Suspended Armament
Bombs:
2x 1,000lb bombs on the outer wing station - can only be fitted without torpedo or 1,000lb bombs on the centre line.
2x 1,000lb bombs on the centre line.
4x 500lb bombs - 2 on the centre line, 2 on wings.
4x 250lb bombs - 2 on the centre line, 2 on wings.
1x 18" Mk.XII OR 1x 18" Mark 13 - If fitted, nothing else can be fitted
8x single rail RP-3 rockets - 4 on each wing.
16x dual rail RP-3 rockets - 8 on each wing.
(Note: As far as I am aware the (late) and (early) Mk.X Beaufighters held the same designation and were in service for overlapping periods, so if you want to add more information, please ensure that it is for the (late) model. Thank you!)
Sources
https://www.fiskardo-divers.com/Bristol_Beaufighter.pdf
The Bristol Beaufighter - A comprehensive guide for the modeller – Richard.A Franks
https://600squadronassociation.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/A_SHORT_HISTORY_OF_AIR_INTERCEPT_RADAR_AND_THE_BRITISH_Pt_1.pdf
Bristol Beaufighter | Classic Warbirds
Bristol Beaufighter - Variants and Stats
AI Mark VIII radar - Wikipedia
https://www.destinationsjourney.com/historical-military-photographs/bristol-beaufighter-tf-mark-x/
https://www.baesystems.com/en/heritage/bristol-156-beaufighter
The Mighty Beau
Bristol Beaufighter TF.Mk.X | Aircraft of World War II - WW2Aircraft.net Forums
Bristol Beaufighter - Wikipedia
Bristol Hercules - Wikipedia