Diecast Aircraft Information

MetalWings Diecast Aircraft Reference by Dauntless Aviation

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA2303
Bristol Beaufighter Mk. VIF "KW147",
415th NFS, 12th USAAF, Le Vallon, France, September 1944

Die-cast metal.
Pre-painted with pad applied markings.
Fully assembled.
Weapons that are not permanently attached.
Comes with crew figures
Display stand included.
Option to display model with wheels up or down.
Movable propellers.
Minimum use of plastic.
Hobby Master doesn't flood the market with huge numbers of each model and
with the pre-production interest shown world wide this definitely will be a very
rare bird and extremely sought after.

AI Mark VIII radar. The Mk. VI had the improved Hercules engines with over 1,000 aircraft
of this variant being made. Most of the Beau night-fighters were eventually replaced in
this role by the faster Mosquito but the Beau continued to fight on performing anti-
shipping duty as well as ground attack and long range interdiction. The Beaufighter was
produced in 14 variants and operated by 11 countries.

The 415th NFS (Night Fighter Squadron) known as “The Nitefiters” was activated on
February 8, 1943 with its first posting to Algeria in June. As part of the 12th USAAF the
squadron flew reverse lend-lease night-fighter Bristol Beaufighters that retained the
standard RAF night fighter scheme but with US markings.. During 1943 the 415th flew in
the MTO and in 1944 and 1945 they moved to France and eventually into Germany.
Their first station in France was Le Vallon from September 1st – 25th 1944. The
squadron was inactivated September 1, 1947.

Specifications Bristol Beaufighter Mk. VIF

Aircraft Type – Night Fighter

Crew – 2

Performance
Engine – (2) Bristol Hercules VI, 14 cylinder radial, 1,670 hp each turning (3) bladed
propellers
Speed – 333 mph (536kph) @ 15,600 ft   (4,755 m)
Time To Climb to 15,000 ft   (4,572 m) – 7.8 minutes
Service Ceiling – 26,500 ft   (8,077 m)
Range – 1,540 miles   (2,478 km)

Dimensions
Wingspan – 57 ft 10 in   (17.64 m)
Length – 41 ft 8 in   (12.7 m)
Height – 15 ft 10 in   (4.82 m)
Wing Area – 503 ft sq   (46.73 m sq)

Weight
Empty – 14,600 lbs   (6,623 kg)
Loaded – 21,600 lbs   (9,798 kg)

Armament
Nose – (4) 20 mm
Port Wing – (2) 7.7 mm Machine guns
Starboard Wing – (4) 7.7 mm Machine guns

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