The purposeful lines of the Beaufighter are clearly displayed in this wartime air-to-air view. The exceptional visibility from the pilot’s cockpit is clearly illustrated, the only obstruction being the two Bristol Hercules XVII engines. The dorsal fin extension was a trademark of later-mark Beaufighters.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bristol Beaufighter - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1939

Seen here above the clouds - not the normal operational altitude for Beaufighter - NV172 is on a pre-delivery test flight. This aircraft survived the war to be struck off charge from the RAF on February 9, 1949.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bristol Beaufighter - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1939

Peeling away from the camera aircraft, a Beaufighter Mk X displays its thimble nose radome housing its Airborne Interception (AI) radar. Mounted under the wings are the rails for the 3in rockets. This particular aircraft, RD767, was constructed at Bristol’s MAP Shadow Factory at Old Mixton, Weston. Having survived the war it was converted to a TT.10 target-tug serving with the Civilian Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit. It was eventually struck off charge on November 18, 1953.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bristol Beaufighter - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1939

Sqn Ldr George McLannahan of 604 Squadron, Peter Nevill’s parent unit, in his Beaufighter “office” before a patrol. At the time the squadron was operating from RAF Middle Wallop, Hampshire.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bristol Beaufighter - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1939