BEAUFIGHTER ACES OF WORLD WAR 2 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 65)

Andrew Thomas

Entering service at the end of the Battle of Britain, the pugnacious Beaufighter arrived just in time for the start of the Luftwaffe's night Blitz on Britain. The first nightfighter tobe equipped with an airborne radar as standard, the Beaufighter combined the ability to 'see' the enemy at night with speed and devastating firepower of cannon and machine guns. It was the Beaufighter that was largely responsible for the blunting of the Luftwaffe's night offensive, and in early 1941 a large number of future aces flew the type. it's range and striking power also led to the Beaufighter's deployment by Coastal Command in the long-rang fighter role, taking on the enemy's maritime bombers. The Beaufighter was also deployed overseas in nightfighter, long-range fighter and strike roles. in total, 90 pilots became aces flying the Beaufighter, with a further 39 achieving at least part of their total flying them. This volume tells their story.