The British Bristol Beaufighter filled the need for an effective night fighter in the Army Air Forces until an American aircraft could be produced. The Beaufighter had first entered operational service with the Royal Air Force in July 1940 as a day fighter. Equipped with a very early Mk IV airborne intercept radar, the powerful and heavily armed night fighter version entered service just as the Luftwaffe (German air force) began its "Blitz" night attacks against London in September 1940.

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Size: 3000px × 1996px
Photo credit: © LOU Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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