Selwyn Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 (edited) There are plenty of pictures of RAF Beaus carrying Rockets or torpedoes. but I can't find pictures with them carrying bombs. Has anyone seen a pic of RAF Beaus armed with bombs? it must of happened surely? I have seen a few images of RAAF Beaus so fitted. Second question might be a bit silly, but how did the crew get in the aircraft when a torpedo was fitted? the bottom hatch could not be opened because the torp was in the way. Selwyn Edited March 4, 2015 by Selwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brewerjerry Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 Hi Probably get in using via observers canopy opening. cheers jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Work In Progress Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 (edited) I don't know of any evidence of RAF Beaufighters ever carrying bombs in service. The RAAF certainly did as this pic shows. Evidence from Janes suggests a max load of 500 lb a side on the VI, 1000 lb a side on the X. Though I have also seen a max load of 250 lb a side quoted for both versions from other sources. Edited March 4, 2015 by Work In Progress Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 The bomb load as seen above was used by Malta based Beau`s and indeed it was Beaufighter racks which were added to Hurricane`s and Spifires in Malta to arm these types with bombs too,.......in each case before this was carried out in the UK. Cheers, Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJP Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 Here's one, on trials. The caption doesn't say if it was used operationally, though the picture is reproduced on page 17 of the old Warpaint and its caption implies that it was: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205126841 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 (edited) The Mk.XI is described as being the Mk.X without the torpedo capability, but a multiple bomb carriage under the fuselage - twin 500lb is what comes to mind. Supposedly there were quite a few built - I'll have to dig a bit for a number. EDIT: 163 aircraft built by Fairey at Weston Super Mare, serials in the range JL876 to JM267. Converted Mk.Xs operated with twin 500lb under the fuselage and a 250lb under each wing against E-boats and R-boats after D-Day, and bombers were also used in the Mediterranean and Adriatic. There is a photo of NT921 in D-Day stripes in the Putnam. Edited March 4, 2015 by Graham Boak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalea Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 Hasegawa did a kit of one-it must be true! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 Here is one in the Med dropping bombs on a ship: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205211440 Jari 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tailwheel Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 Try Beaufighter Aces of WW2 (Osprey) Photo and profile of 250lb bomb carrying Beau VIc JL519/P of 227 Sqdn. April 1943 Fancy this one myself....One day HTH Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob85 Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 Here are a few http://www.asisbiz.com/cod/Beaufighter/Beaufighter/images/Beaufighter-being-armed-with-baby-training-bombs-Tunisia-1943-01.jpg Aussies on mk21 http://forum.warthunder.com/uploads/monthly_10_2013/post-237554-0-55462300-1381306236.jpg Dday http://forum.warthunder.com/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-513-0-03652400-1399660136.jpg http://forum.warthunder.com/uploads/monthly_10_2013/post-237554-0-97587500-1381306243.jpg Hope this helps in some way? Rob P.s. Tony's tamiya beaufighter from malta is a great ref (not that I have saved all the pics ready for the Airfix release Tony!!)... make a malta bird you know you want to! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Cox Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 Hi Selwyn, It was not uncommon for English based British Commonwealth Beaufighter aircraft to carry bombs as evidenced in the following extracts from the ORB's of 144 Sqn RAF, 455 Sqn RAAF and 489 Sqn RNZAF. 144 Squadron, Royal Air Force UK National Archives 455 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force National Archives of Australia National Archives of Australia 489 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force UK National Archives Here are two images that show some bomb carrying RAAF Beaufighter aircraft of 455 Sqn. AWM UK1546 AWM UK1548 Cheers, Daniel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selwyn Posted March 6, 2015 Author Share Posted March 6, 2015 Hi Selwyn, It was not uncommon for English based British Commonwealth Beaufighter aircraft to carry bombs as evidenced in the following extracts from the ORB's of 144 Sqn RAF, 455 Sqn RAAF and 489 Sqn RNZAF. 144 Squadron, Royal Air Force UK National Archives 455 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force National Archives of Australia National Archives of Australia 489 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force UK National Archives Here are two images that show some bomb carrying RAAF Beaufighter aircraft of 455 Sqn. AWM UK1546 AWM UK1548 Cheers, Daniel. Thanks Daniel! just what I was looking for! Selwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossm Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 This one from the 404 Sqdn website has rockets, bomb racks and the early Special Duties scheme with Extra Dark Sea Grey uppers, Dark Sea Grey sides and Sky undersides http://www.404squadron.com/images/gallery/PL41009.jpg Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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