Bristol Beaufighter Mk XIC
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 XIC was identical to the Mk X (TFX) apart from lacking torpedo shackles. The TFX was derived from the Mk VI by substituting Hercules Mark XVII, which developed 1,735 hp at 500 feet. It was optimised for low level performance where the torpedo and anti-shipping attacks occurred. Later models had an additional tail fillet to improved stability.
