Interesting comments from the 600 Squadron history regarding the Merlin Beau Mk II. They flew Mk If, Mk IIf and VIf from 41-45
"The Beaufighter is a great aircraft, the Merlin is a great engine. Together they are a great disaster."
According to W/C Pearson, who commanded 600 Squadron in 41-42.
"The Beaufighter IIf was an unnecessary and dangerous aeroplane, and one that no one had ever asked for. It seems it was ordered because the Rolls Royce Merlin engines which supplied it's power gave more at high altitude than the Hercules for which the Beaufighter was designed. It was intended to counter a high level threat that never materialized. The change of engines altered the center of gravity and made the aircraft unstable on the ground at low speeds. This in turn gave it a tendency to swerve off to the right at take off and a coarse use of rudder was needed to keep it straight. A very serious defect was known as "The Shimmy". This was a violent vibration generated at the tail end of the aircraft after landing but extending to the whole fuselage."
F/S Spry joined 600 in September 41. "The Beaufighter II was a recipe for disaster. It swung violently on take off and landing. Though I loved the Beau as an aircraft, I did not particularly like the Merlin Beaufighters." During his first months with the squadron he discovered other eccentricities of the Mk II. No matter how the plane was trimmed, it would never fly straight and level hands off.
Needless to say it was not a popular bird. So about that Beaufighter VIf
