Beaufighter

[carman1877]

I know that there are not supposed to be any "Best" threads so I'm trying to keep this somewhat different. I want to know if you think if the Beaufighter was the best torpedo and strike aircraft of WW2.

I believe so becuase:
2 x 20mm, 7 .303 (30 cals), and rockets/bombs/torpedoes

sources:
Wikipedia
Articles on Beaufighter

 

[Atea]

Right there aint a perfect thread,it all depends on the person who operate it.

 

[gf0012-aust]

I know that there are not supposed to be any "Best" threads so I'm trying to keep this somewhat different. I want to know if you think if the Beaufighter was the best torpedo and strike aircraft of WW2.

I believe so becuase:
2 x 20mm, 7 .303 (30 cals), and rockets/bombs/torpedoes

sources:
Wikipedia
Articles on Beaufighter

You might want to narrow down the model a bit. (eg, the heaviest hitter of all was generally regarded to be the australian developed Mk21)

eg some regard the australian developed models as the best anti-shipping versions ever made due to their fitout. (heavily gunned and later armed with zuni's IIRC)

the australian developed beaufighters were nicknamed "the whispering death" by the japanese... although there is some new input that the british troops also gave it the same nick.

A good example of the effect of co-ordinated anti-shipping attacks by different aircraft types working together is the Battle of the Bismark Sea. It's been unfortunately ignored compared to major events like Midway and Coral Sea etc....

Bristol Beaufighter: Australian War Memorial

 

[Abraham Gubler]

Another issue is do you compare it to its contemporaries as an early war aircraft or late war aircraft designed with better technology and combat experience.?The Beaufighter flew before the war started. How can you compare that to torpedo bombers like the Douglas Skypirate or the Beafighter's own replacement the Bristol Brigand that didn’t fly until 1945?

Also the Beaufighter never faced serious fighter opposition. If it had it’s 80 knot speed deficit compared to the Mosquito would have gone a long way to tarnishing the reputation.

PS The ‘Whispering Death’ name was a product of Allied propaganda... They did however call New Guinea the ‘Green Desert’ because no one returns alive from there...

PPS The Beaufighter entered service in the Pacific after the great battles to stop the Japanese. I would argue that it recieved undue attention compared to those aircraft the RAAF used to actually defeat the Japanese rather than those used to destroy them. The Lockheed Hudson is the plane that missed the limelight. Like all the attention on the Mustang and Corsair that shot down lots of Japanese aircraft being flown by inexperienced combat replacements compared to the Kittyhawks and Wildcats that won the day when the enemy was stronger than we were...

 

[gf0012-aust]

PS The ‘Whispering Death’ name was a product of Allied propaganda... The.y did however call New Guinea the ‘Green Desert’ because no one returns alive from there...

Except that there are a number of records in the AWM that do show that the Japanese sailors referred to them as the whispering death even before the british started their marketing campaign

It was used as propoganda, but it wasn't a child spawned by propoganda

 

[carman1877]

To narrow it down I meant that X type, the torpedo bomber with rockets and guns. However any type can be compared. What I am comparing it to would be fighter bombers like the: Bf-110, P-38, or the Duantless or avenger for torpedo. The one main question was if any plane carried greater armament, becuase i have not found one, except for bombers such as H8K which it can't be compared to.

 

[Falstaff]

As for the armament you might want to have a look at the Junkers Ju-88 which depending on intended role had quite an impressive armament. E.g. the C-series, which, as a nightfighter, was equipped with 3 forward firing 20mm, 3 forward firing 7,92mm as well as a twin 7,92mm at the back of the rear cockpit plus later on another two upward firing 20mm ("Schräge Musik").

Regarding the "Whispering Death", IIRC the Beaufighter was equipped with Bristol sleeve valve engines. These are potentially quieter than conventional ones, but the most interesting thing is that their noise sounds somewhat more even, smoother. So I wouldn't be too surprised if the Japanese actually called the Beaufighter like that.

 

[gf0012-aust]

Regarding the "Whispering Death", IIRC the Beaufighter was equipped with Bristol sleeve valve engines. These are potentially quieter than conventional ones, but the most interesting thing is that their noise sounds somewhat more even, smoother. So I wouldn't be too surprised if the Japanese actually called the Beaufighter like that.

the nickname was applied after the Beaufighters were upgraded with Hercules engines that had modified lifters.

can't recall exactly, but I think they were wet lifters as opposed to dry lifters. it's probably on the net somewhere, but time is my enemy today

I assumed that the propaganda was on "whistling death" which was the nick for the Corsairs. However, the nickname for the Beaufighter was definitely pulled from interviewed from Japanese sailors no matter how much mileage allied propaganda might have made from it.

 

[kato]

E.g. the C-series, which, as a nightfighter, was equipped with 3 forward firing 20mm, 3 forward firing 7,92mm as well as a twin 7,92mm at the back of the rear cockpit plus later on another two upward firing 20mm ("Schräge Musik").

The C-series was the dayfighter.
Ju-88 variants:

Day-fighters/Destroyers:
C2 - 2x MG17 defensive, 1x MG FF + 3x MG17 forward
C4 - 3x MG17 defensive, 3x MG FF + 3x MG17 forward
C5 - 2x MG17 defensive, 1x MG 151/20 + 5x MG17 forward
C6 - MG131 or MG15 cockpit, 3x MG FF + 3x MG17 forward
C7 - MG131 or MG15 cockpit, 2x MG FF + 3x MG17 forward
Night-fighters:
G - MG131 or MG15 cockpit, 4x MG151/20 forward, 2x MG151/20 upward
R - 1x MG FF + 3x MG17 + 2x MG151/20 forward
Long-range fighter:
H - MG131 or MG15 cockpit, 6x MG151/20 forward
Anti-tank version:
P1 - 1x PaK 40 (75mm), 1x MG81 ranging, 4x MG81 forward
P2 - 2x FlaK 38 (37mm), 1x MG81 ranging, 4x MG81 forward

MG15, MG17, MG81 : 7.92mm
MG131 : 13mm
MG FF, MG151/20 : 20mm (different rounds)

Optional "Schräge Musik" dorsal upward-firing twin MG151/20 in C6/C7/G versions, standard in G6a onwards. Equipment may vary, e.g. replacement of MG15 by MG81.

 

[Falstaff]

The C-series was the dayfighter.

Although not purpose-built night fighters, some members of the C-series were used as night fighters and even equipped with radar, e.g. the C-6.

the nickname was applied after the Beaufighters were upgraded with Hercules engines that had modified lifters.

Makes sense as the Hercules engines are sleeve valve engines. I don't know what a "lifter" is though. Is is another word for "cam"?