11th August 1937

[antarmike]

First flight of the Boulton Paul Defiant turret fighter

[Tony B]

Another silly piece of info. There is a joinery company near me called Defiant. The founders met while building Boulton Paul defiants.

[antarmike]

Boulton Paul were furniture manufacturers if I remember. There are a few timber framed Agricultural Buildinggs around our neck of the woods with Boulkton Paul builders plates.

[Tony B]

Aren't the company still going?

[abn deuce]

what was the standard armourment on the fighter ? i dont see any guns on the cowel or the wings, was it only the turret guns?

[antarmike]

Just the four machine gun turret, they weren't very succesful but I beleive one airgunner managed 13 kills. I think they were better used against bombers rather than fighter fighter combat.

Edited August 10, 2008 by antarmike

[Tony B]

Wern't thsy light bombers as well?

[antarmike]

It was relatively successful early in the Battle of Britain. Its outline closely resembled a Hurricane and Luftwaffee pilots attempted to kill a number from behind only to be met by a hail of unexpected fire from the rearward facing turret. Later they found its vulnerable spots and when it became standard Luftwaffe tactics to attack it from below (or even head on) it became a liability to the RAF not an assett.

 

However, with its two man crew it could be fitted with AI radar, and as a nightfighter it had a succesful, if fairly brief, second life. I am not aware it ever fulfilled a bomber role. It shared its engine with the Hurricane, and its performance was worse (drag from the turrett, extra weight plus extra aircrew). I dont think it had any spare power for an external bombload.

Edited August 10, 2008 by antarmike

[Tony B]

Suppose it looks like it should have been a bomber. :-D

[AndyFowler]

There is a night fighter version at the Royal Air Force Museum Hendon ! Not very good lighting for photos I,m afraid !

[antarmike]