Bristol Beaufighter Book Review
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | May 2005 | Title | Bristol Beaufighter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Jerry Scutts | Publisher | The Crowood Press |
| Published | 2004 | ISBN | 1-86126-666-9 |
| Format | 192 pages, hardbound | MSRP (USD) | $44.95 |
Review
The Crowood Press from the UK has released a new title from author Jerry Scutts covering the development and operational history of the Bristol Beaufighter.
The Beaufighter was one of the few aircraft that successfully filled the role of heavy fighter during WW2. Like the Mosquito and unlike the Bf 110, the Beaufighter offered a good mix of speed and agility with an airframe that could be adapted to a variety of roles.
Beaufighters were effective night fighters and intruders, radar-equipped night fighters, straffers, tactical bombers, torpedo carriers, and more. The two-place fighter carried a pilot in the single-place cockpit and an observer in the mid-fuselage. The aircraft first flew in 1939 and unlike many other WW2 veterans, would serve continuously in the RAF for 20 years.
The coverage of this informative title is presented as follows:
- Something Borrowed
- Merlins and Mods
- Beaus Six, Ten and Eleven
- Black Beaus and 'Magic Mirrors'
- Mersah Matruh Grand Prix
- Axis Nemesis
- Star-Crossed Beaus
- Flak-Filled Fjords
- 'Whispering Death'
- Pacific Finale
- Firedog Swansong
- Foreign Operators
- Back in the Air?
If you've wanted only one informative book that shows the history as well as some great photographs on internal and external details of this important aircraft, this is the book you've been waiting for. This title is highly recommended!
My sincere thanks to Motorbooks International for this review sample!