Beaufighter - The Forgotten War Horse

**Black Jack 1** · Nov-04-2017, 04:42

Documentary with interviews and ground attack footage of the Beaufighter.
Starts off a little slow but get interesting as it continues.

Sorry would have put it in a new thread but do not no how.

Snapper EDIT: I’ve started a new thread for this fantastic documentary covering the upcoming Team Fusion Simulation’s addition to the Cliffs of Dover stable. Thanks for sharing this, Black Jack!

**ATAG_SKUD** · Nov-04-2017, 08:28

Documentary with interviews and ground attack footage of the Beaufighter.
Starts off a little slow but get interesting as it continues.

Sorry would have put it in a new thread but do not no how.[/QUOTE]

Great Doumentary! I watched it end to end.
Thanks for posting!

Skud

**BOO** · Nov-04-2017, 17:18

Same here - great doc- Thks for sharing!

**ATAG_Snapper** · Nov-04-2017, 20:05

One tactic I found interesting was the Beaufighters’ method of neutralizing warships. They aimed for the bridge, not the heavily-armoured waterline. As the Beau pilot related, 4 x 20 mm converging into the bridge could make quite a mess. The same cannon could also knock out the warship’s anti aircraft guns.

**BOO** · Nov-04-2017, 20:22

Originally Posted by ATAG_Snapper

One tactic I found interesting was the Beaufighters’ method of neutralizing warships. They aimed for the bridge, not the heavily-armoured waterline. As the Beau pilot related, 4 x 20 mm converging into the bridge could make quite a mess. The same cannon could also knock out the warship’s anti aircraft guns.

Command and Control - cut the head off the snake etc

**Vlerkies** · Nov-04-2017, 21:34

Yup, any of the super structures (except stacks) would potentially take out C&C or fire control from ships of that era.

Very interesting historical account, thx.
Capt Brian Walker
If you hit anything with a Beaufighter, it was hit, and hit for good!

So I have to ask Black Jack 1,,,,,, in doccy Group Captain Brian 'BlackJack' Walker, coincidence?

**RAF74_Buzzsaw** · Nov-04-2017, 21:48

Smaller ships had very little armor on the bridges or on the deck or AAA guns.

Larger ships had armor which could defeat 20mm.

**Vlerkies** · Nov-04-2017, 21:57

2.5 hr audio interview with 'Blackjack' Walker.
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C282919

**Vlerkies** · Nov-04-2017, 22:12

Lurking on the AWM site another cracking clip from around 1942 re BlackJack Walker. Mainly Beauforts, KittyHawks and some air cobras.
Home/personal movie, These eagles incognito
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C217951
clip
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P10679867

**Black Jack 1** · Nov-04-2017, 23:55

Group Captain Brian 'BlackJack' Walker, coincidence?

I was lucky to know and fly with him. He was the chief test pilot for dehavilland in Australia doing most of the testing on the mosquito.
I also flew with captain Godfrey Ball who was in 43 SQ Hurricanes with 4 canons fitted. He was one of the pioneers in night fighters.

Yes that is why I use his handle.

**Vlerkies** · Nov-05-2017, 00:19

Originally Posted by Black Jack 1

Group Captain Brian 'BlackJack' Walker, coincidence?

I was lucky to know and fly with him. He was the chief test pilot for dehavilland in Australia doing most of the testing on the mosquito.
I also flew with captain Godfrey Ball who was in 43 SQ Hurricanes with 4 canons fitted. He was one of the pioneers in night fighters.

Yes that is why I use his handle.

Sounds like you have had an interesting career!
Great to have you aboard here on the forums.

**Gromit** · Nov-05-2017, 06:38

Get yourselves "A Separate Little War" by Andrew Bird, excellent account of the Coastal Command operations out of Banff in Scotland over to Norway and Denmark.

In it there is a anecdote that recounts the experience of a German flak boat gunner who was strafed by flak suppression Mossies, it's no wonder they ducked, armour plate or no he was lucky to survive, his mates didn't!

**ATAG_Vampire** · Nov-05-2017, 07:22

Another good read for anyone interested in the Beaufighter is 'The Strike Wings' by Roy Conyers Nesbit (ISBN 0-7183-0520-5)

All about the Special Anti-shipping Squadrons of Coastal Command between 1942 and 1945.

o7

**69th_Zeb** · Nov-05-2017, 08:35

Gromit and Vampire, will be adding those books to my list.

I read Andrew Thomas' "Beaufighter Aces of WW2" (Aircraft of Aces Series). It ties the different models, progress of AI, and pilots together in their specific theaters. Good read and available on Kindle.

-Z

**ATAG_Snapper** · Nov-05-2017, 10:54

Originally Posted by 69th_Zeb

Gromit and Vampire, will be adding those books to my list.

I read Andrew Thomas' "Beaufighter Aces of WW2" (Aircraft of Aces Series). It ties the different models, progress of AI, and pilots together in their specific theaters. Good read and available on Kindle.

-Z

I have this one on Kindle (very inexpensive) and about halfway through. I agree; it’s a good read!

**Gromit** · Nov-05-2017, 15:01

Originally Posted by ATAG_Vampire

Another good read for anyone interested in the Beaufighter is 'The Strike Wings' by Roy Conyers Nesbit (ISBN 0-7183-0520-5)

All about the Special Anti-shipping Squadrons of Coastal Command between 1942 and 1945.

o7

Try "Armed Rovers" (ISBN 1-85310-517-1} by the same author, it chronicles the Beaufighter and Beaufort squadrons in the Med.

**ATAG_Vampire** · Nov-06-2017, 11:36

Just got this one for my birthday.

Had to go good condition pre-owned as a new copy is over £100 (no longer in print).

4269-1.jpg

Only 'flicked' through it so far but looks packed with good photos and info.

o7

**ATAG_Marlow** · Nov-06-2017, 12:11

Originally Posted by ATAG_Vampire

Just got this one for my birthday.

Had to go good condition pre-owned as a new copy is over £100 (no longer in print).

4269-1.jpg

Only 'flicked' through it so far but looks packed with good photos and info.

o7

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VAMPS!

Knock 'em bandy! Salute!

(Looks like another good book, too!)

**ATAG_Ezzie** · Nov-06-2017, 13:57

Originally Posted by ATAG_Vampire

Just got this one for my birthday.

Had to go good condition pre-owned as a new copy is over £100 (no longer in print).

4269-1.jpg

Only 'flicked' through it so far but looks packed with good photos and info.

o7

Ive got this book Vampire and its excellent.

Ezzie

**ATAG_Vampire** · Nov-06-2017, 15:59

Great stuff!

Thanks Ezzie, looking forward to delving into it as soon as I can.

o7

**ATAG_Scones** · Nov-08-2017, 18:23

Originally Posted by ATAG_Vampire

Just got this one for my birthday.

Had to go good condition pre-owned as a new copy is over £100 (no longer in print).

4269-1.jpg

Only 'flicked' through it so far but looks packed with good photos and info.

o7

Happy birthday, Vamps!

Seems a nice read.

**farley** · Nov-08-2017, 20:31

Originally Posted by ATAG_Vampire

Just got this one for my birthday.

Had to go good condition pre-owned as a new copy is over £100 (no longer in print).

4269-1.jpg

Only 'flicked' through it so far but looks packed with good photos and info.

o7

Many happy returns Vampire

Hope you enjoy the new read. Let us know what you think

**DOWNEAST** · Nov-08-2017, 21:54

I'm Currently Reading "Beaufighter Ace" writtem by Sir Thomas Pike's son.

2017-11-08_21-57-32.png

Lots of detail on the working relationship between pilot and his navigator/radar operator in night fighter combat against raiding bombers.

Pike was given command of the Night Fighters of No. 11 Group in September 1941 and then went on to be Station Commander at RAF North Weald in February 1942. Promoted to the temporary rank of group captain on 27 March 1942, he became Officer Commanding No. 1 Mobile Operations Room Unit during the Allied Landings in Italy in May 1943 for which role he was mentioned in despatches in June 1943. He went on to be Senior Air Staff Officer at HQ Desert Air Force in February 1944.