Bristol Beaufighter

[Greebo]

Now in all seriousness, how would it be used? Jabo? It's got 4 hispanos but carries less ammo & ords than a mossie, and is quite slower too.

The only things the Beau has going for it over a Mossie are durability, firepower (the Aussie version had 0.5 in rather than 0.303 wing guns) and the ability to carry a torpedo. For me the torpedo would make it an occasional ride. I enjoy an occasional suicide mission in Ju 88s or a TBM if I reckon there is a chance fleet gunners might not see me coming. In a Beau I could clear some fleet AA with rockets, drop a torpedo and (compared to the TBM or 88s) still have some sort of chance vs fighters.

[Fish42]

The early versions had Hispano Mk I's that had 60 round drums, but even then it carried many drums with the navigator being expected to replace them as needed.  Later versions had the belt fed Hispano Mk IIs.

Earlier in the thread, the figures quoted for the load out were, 283 RPG for the 20mms and 1000 RPG for the 303s. So thats 1132 rounds of 20mm, and 6000 rounds of 303. I don't think we have a number on the 50cal loadout, but I am sure they kept a large belt for all the ground attack the beaus were doing.

[bozon]

Now in all seriousness, how would it be used? Jabo? It's got 4 hispanos but carries less ammo & ords than a mossie, and is quite slower too.

The beau was inferior to the mossie no doubt. This is why the mossie replaced it in many roles. Consider it as the predecessor to the mossie. It will not transform the arenas, but will be a fun plane and not a total pos. I prefer having a Beau over an earlier mossie model - will be more useful in events and more diverse.

The torpedo carrying will be a unique feature.

[Guppy35]

Keep in mind for Events the Beau would be heaven sent.  They were all over the MTO.  They were all over the PTO and CBI.  They certainly were there in the ETO.  You aren't going to sub the Mossie for that ride as the Mossie is a better performer.  But it wasn't there until the end if at all in some cases.

Of  the birds we DON'T have, the Beau is by far the one that was involved in combat the longest in the war and in the most places.

[glzsqd]

Keep in mind for Events the Beau would be heaven sent.  They were all over the MTO.  They were all over the PTO and CBI.  They certainly were there in the ETO.  You aren't going to sub the Mossie for that ride as the Mossie is a better performer.  But it wasn't there until the end if at all in some cases.

Of  the birds we DON'T have, the Beau is by far the one that was involved in combat the longest in the war and in the most places.

B25J comes close...

[Devil 505]

Keep in mind for Events the Beau would be heaven sent.  They were all over the MTO.  They were all over the PTO and CBI.  They certainly were there in the ETO.  You aren't going to sub the Mossie for that ride as the Mossie is a better performer.  But it wasn't there until the end if at all in some cases.

Of  the birds we DON'T have, the Beau is by far the one that was involved in combat the longest in the war and in the most places.

indeed.

[BudHeavy]

A huge +1 from me! 

[Guppy35]

B25J comes close...

We've got versions of the 25 and the J model 25 doesn't come close at all to the Beau we don't have in terms of combat time.

[bustr]

Hitech,

May we please finally get this thing and the Boomerang? Then these two posts can finally earn their well deserved rest.

[bozon]

Only two more weeks till we get the Beau!
  

[JVboob]

dang bozon...lol B25J and the beau

[BudHeavy]

I'm still all for it, however the Tu2 seems a less fragile alternative than the Mossie...and has defensive armament.

[Karnak]

I'm still all for it, however the Tu2 seems a less fragile alternative than the Mossie...and has defensive armament.

And a vastly higher loss rate than the Mossie...

The real advantage of the Tu-2 over the Mossie XVI is the flexibility of its bomb load.

The Tu-2 and Mossie XVI are not competitors with the Beaufighter at all.  The Beaufighter falls in with the A-20G, Mossie VI, Bf110s and Me410.

[Lusche]

I'm still all for it, however the Tu2 seems a less fragile alternative than the Mossie...and has defensive armament.

From a fighter point of view, I actually find the TuTu's to be delightfully fragile...

[Zimme83]

Tu-2 is also far less maneuverable than a moss 6, it doesnt like speed at all.