Customer Reviews

Bristol Beaufighter (Crowood Aviation Series)

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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.

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.