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"Always prepared" - Motto of 68 Squadron Developed as a private venture by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, the Beaufighter was a two-seat all-metal fighter using components from the Beaufort torpedo-bomber. First flown on July 17th, 1939, the Beaufighter eventually equipped 52 RAF squadrons, giving outstanding service during World War II, in particular as a night-fighter and torpedo-bomber (where the aircraft were affectionatey known as 'Torbeaus'). Entry into Fighter Command service came during August 1940 with the Fighter Interception Unit at Tangmere. The following month, five squadrons received the Mark 1F equipped with Mark IV Air Intercept radar for night-fighter duties although the type's first kill wasn't until November of that year. The Beaufighter continued as a night-fighter until 1943, and the last aircraft (a TT10) was not retired from RAF service until 1960, nearly 21 years after the type's first flight. 1941 saw the development of the Beaufighter Mk.IC long-range heavy fighter. This new variant entered service in May 1941 with a detachment from No. 252 Squadron operating from Malta. The aircraft proved so effective in the Mediterranean against shipping, aircraft and ground targets that Coastal Command became the major user of the Beaufighter, replacing the obsolete Beaufort and Blenheim. Coastal Command began to take delivery of the up-rated Mk.VIC in mid 1942. By the end of 1942, Mk VICs were being equipped with torpedo-carrying gear, enabling them to carry the British 18-inch or the US 22.5-inch torpedo externally. The first successful torpedo attacks by Beaufighters came in April 1943, with No. 254 Squadron sinking two merchant ships off Norway. The Hercules Mk XVII, developing 1,735 hp at 500 feet was installed in the Mk VIC airframe to produce the TF Mk.X (Torpedo Fighter) - commonly known as the "Torbeau." The Mk X became the main production mark of the Beaufighter. The strike variant of the "Torbeau" was designated the Mk.XIC. Beaufighter TF Xs would make precision shipping attacks at wave-top height with torpedoes or rockets. Early models of the Mk Xs carried metric-wavelength ASV (air-to-surface vessel) radar with "herringbone" antennae carried on the nose and outer wings, but this was replaced in late 1943 by the centimetric AI Mark VIII radar housed in a "thimble-nose" radome, enabling all-weather and night time attacks. The North Coates Strike Wing (Coastal Command), based at RAF North Coates on the Lincolnshire coast, developed attack tactics combining large formations of Beaufighters on anti-flak suppression with cannon and rockets while the Torbeaus attacked on low level. These tactics were put into practice in mid 1943 and in a 10 month period 27,000 tonnes of shipping were sunk. Tactics were further adapted when shipping was moved from port during night hours. North Coates Strike Wing operated as the largest anti-shipping force of the Second World War, and accounted for over 150,000 tons of shipping and 117 vessels for a loss of 120 Beaufighters and 241 aircrew killed or missing. This was half the total tonnage sunk by all strike wings between 1942-45. Pictured here is a 1:72 scale RAF Bristol Beaufighter Mk.VIF fighter that was attached to No.68 Squadron (Czech), then deployed to Fairwood Common Airfield, during May 1944. #HA2317 Dimensions: Features: Historical Account: "Czech-Mates" - During World War II, a new No.68 squadron (the first RAF squadron to actually bear the number) was formed at RAF Catterick on January 7th, 1941, as a night fighter squadron equipped with Bristol Blenheims and became operational on April 7th before moving to High Ercall. In May 1941, No.68 converted to Bristol Beaufighters and in March 1942 they went to RAF Coltishall in Norfolk. In July 1944, the Squadron converted to de Havilland Mosquitoes. From July 1941, No.68 Squadron always had a strong element of Czechoslovak pilots in exile with up to eight flying crews consisting entirely of Czechoslovak personnel. These ties and the squadron's night fighter activities were recognized in 1944 when Air Chief Marshal Charles Steele presented a crest to No.68 Squadron that displayed an owl's head and had the Czech motto Vzdy připraven - "Always prepared" or "Always ready". The poet James Farrar was a Pilot Officer of No.68 Squadron. He was killed on the night of July 25th-26th, 1944 when, on patrol over the Thames (as navigator of a Mosquito piloted by Fred Kemp), he was ordered to intercept a V1 flying bomb. No. 68 Squadron was deactivated on April 20th, 1945, with the personnel joining various other units including No.125 Squadron RAF. Please note: We happily combine multiple sales into one order to reduce shipping charges. Please contact us first to determine the cost of shipping before proceeding to final checkout so we can clarify the procedure with you. |