Bristol Beaufighter Mk VIC
Originally designed as a heavy fighter version of the Bristol Beaufort torpedo bomber, the Beaufighter developed into a multi-role aircraft. Its large size enabled it to carry early AI radar sets along with a heavy armament of four 20mm cannon and six .303 machine guns, making it an effective night fighter.
Later variants were able to carry torpedoes and rockets for the strike role, where it was employed for anti-shipping strikes and ground attack.
The Bristol Beaufighter Mk VIC was operated by RAF Coastal Command in the anti-shipping strike role. Its improvements included a return to Hercules engines (from the Mk IIs Merlins) and the introduction of dihedral tail planes to improve stability.
Bristol Beaufighter Mk VIC EL223 
Bristol Beaufighter Mk VIC EL223 
Bristol Beaufighter Mk VIC EL223 
Bristol Beaufighter Mk VIC EL223G 
Bristol Beaufighter Mk VIC JL447 G of No. 248 Squadron RAF 
Bristol Beaufighter Mk VIC EL224 
Bristol Beaufighter Mark VIC EL224 
Bristol Beaufighter Mk VIC 
Bristol Beaufighter Mk VIC 
Bristol Beaufighter Mk VIC 254 Sqn late 1943 
A No 144 Sqn Bristol Beaufighter Mk VIC being fitted with an 18in Mk XV torpedo Tain, 25 April 1943 
272 Squadron RAF in flight over Malta. Nearest the camera is a Bristol Beaufighter Mk VIC, X8079, ‘K’ 
Bristol Beaufighter Mark VIC T5346 of 252 Sqn 
Bristol Beaufighter Mk VIC Line Drawing