Bristol Beaufighter (Crowood Aviation Series) [Hardcover]

Jerry Scutts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 4, 2005 | Series: Crowood Aviation Series

Developed from the unloved Bristol Beaufort, the Beaufighter was the RAF's first purpose-built nightfighter. Powered by two Bristol Hercules radials, it had a reputation for being one of the most effective, and probably the most difficult to fly, aircraft in the RAF's armoury in the first years of the Second World War. Used extensively in Europe, the Beaufighter later flew with disctinction in the South East Asian theatre. This book presents the technical and combat history of this popular warhorse.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jerry Scutts spent many years in journalism and public relations before he became a full-time author in the 1980s. He has written nearly sixty books associated with aviation in World War Two, Korea and Vietnam.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: The Crowood Press; First Edition edition (March 4, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1861266669
• ISBN-13: 978-1861266668
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #492,244 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Crowood Aviation Series - The Beaufighter, November 19, 2009

By 

cpt matt (tanktown, DE) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Bristol Beaufighter (Crowood Aviation Series) (Hardcover)

Bristol Aircraft built the pre WW2 Blenhim bomber, which was obsolete by 1939. The designers knew this and set about creating a faster plane which would carry more armament and heavier load. The Beaufort was this plane, a medium bomber. But the designers also saw possibility for more - and they created the Beaufighter, which would be faster still. Armed with 4 20mm cannon + 6 .30 cal cannon in the wings, this was it!

The fighter was responsible for a suprising number of aireal victories, served as a torpedo bomber, medium bomber, scout and even as a night fighter. The US used 100 of them in the night figher role. It sank its share of enemy shipping as well.

This book is not so much nuts and bolts as it is an operational review of the plane, the versions built. It was very versatile. If you want technical data and statistics, try Beaufighter in Action. The text does contain many facts, information. A few charts would actually be rather helpful. The many pilots stories are helpful because they give an idea of what it was like to fly this plane in action. Data and statistics only give some idea of the value of a plane.

There are a lot of very good B&W photos of this plane from every angle, in every theater and each version is reviewed. I would have preferred at least a few color photos to show the colors of the planes and interior photos, some line drawings, but I still recommend this book for those interested in British aviation history. I enjoyed reading this book and am glad that I have it in my collection.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting stuff, December 1, 2007

By 

D. Volberding (Nevada, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bristol Beaufighter (Crowood Aviation Series) (Hardcover)

I generally like the book. The first part deals with the developement of the product which I find interesting. The second part deals with the operation which I really didn't care for (I'm not into pilot stories) but was well written nevertheless. Good photos and frankly well researched.