Beaufighter project sold in Australia

Tim Moore (Skysport Engineering) has reportedly sold his Bristol Beaufighter project in Australia, and it is expected that it will be shipped there during 2011. The project is a substantial collection of Beaufighter parts, based on a Old Mixon-built Mark IF fuselage and centre wing section (serial X7688), which had been used by No.1 School of Technical Training at RAF Halton as a instructional airframe. From the early 1950s through to 1971 the aircraft, which was attached to a brick hut, was used to train apprentices on engine start up and running procedures. Prior to this, the Beaufighter was an engine test bed at Filton, and it retained its unique four-propeller Hercules 130 configuration during its years at Halton. Tim had also acquired the rear fuselage of an Australian Beuafighter (serial A19-148). At this stage it is not known who has bought the project or what their intensions are, but it is well known that Tim was very keen for the aircraft to fly one day. One considerable stumbling block (as with the Duxford Beaufighter project) is sourcing suitable Hercules engines.

Beaufighter found in Aegean sea

The remains of a Bristol Beaufighter were discovered in June 2007, near the Greek island of Naxos. A team of divers had been searching for the wreck for over a year, following stories that a Beaufighter had ditched in the area during World War 2. It was discovered off the coast of Cape Kouroupas, to the west of Naxos, at a depth of 34 metres. The aircraft, identified as a Beaufighter TF.X serial JM225, was part of a flight attacking enemy ships in Naxos Harbour on 30th October 1943. It was hit by ground fire, and the two crew - F/O W.E.Hayter and W/O T.J.Harper, both New Zealanders - baled out before the aircraft hit the water. They were rescued by locals, treated and later smuggled off the island. JM255 was based in Cyprus with No.47 Squadron RAF.

The aircraft is on its belly and surprisingly intact, apart from a broken back. Some smaller items, such as the nosecone, are unattached and resting on the sea bed nearby. The propeller from the starboard engine is missing, so it may have come off when the Beaufighter hit the water. Naxos Diving Centre can arrange visits for experienced divers, see naxosdiving.com.

Beaufighter unveiled at Dayton

Following many years of restoration, the National Museum of the Air Force at Dayton, Ohio, USA unveiled their Bristol Beaufighter on 18th October 2006. The ex-Australian aircraft has been completed to represent a Beaufighter Mk. VIf of the USAAF, based in the Mediterannean with the Twelfth Air Force. It is marked as KV912, which was flown by Capt. Harold Augspurger, commander of the 415th Night Fighter Squadron, who shot down an He 111 carrying German staff officers in September 1944 and is a volunteer with the museum.

There are now four complete Beaufighters on display, two more in Australia and one in the UK.

Duxford Beaufighter to be sold

Following recent rumours on the Flypast forum, The Fighter Collection has confirmed “it is quite possible” that the Beaufighter project at Duxford “may move to new owners later in the year”. There are several comings and goings anticipated this year, and the sale of the Beaufighter will make space for the new arrivals. The project has been a complex one, and has been underway for around 15 years. Much has been achieved, but there is still much work to do before the Beaufighter will fly. One of the biggest problems has been sourcing engines. No suitable military Bristol Hercules engines have been found, and later versions used on commercial transports would require major modifications to the aircraft. Restoration work is still continuing, and it is hoped that the new owners can accelerate the pace of restoration.

Rockcliffe Beaufighter goes under cover

In November 2005, the Canadian Aviation Museum at Rockcliffe, Ottowa, completed their new storage hangar, and the entire collection including the Beaufighter is now under cover. The aircraft had been stored outside since its arrival in 1969, although its dilapidated appearance had more to do with the state it arrived in than the Canadian weather. Contoversy surrounded the Beaufighter when it was acquired, as the museum were expecting a restored aircraft in exchange for the Bristol Bolingbroke sent to the RAF Museum. Now that the aircraft is inside, it is hoped that restoration work will start soon.

Bristol Beaufighter RD220/BF-10 moves to UK

The Museum of Flight at East Fortune near Edinburgh have acquired a Bristol Beaufighter TF Mk.10 from the South African Air Force Museum at Swartkop. The aircraft, formerly RD220, is expected to arrive in November 2000. During World War 2 Beaufighters were stationed at several Scottish bases, including East Fortune. Although many Beaufighters were built at Filton, this example was built at the Old Mixon 'shadow' factory at Weston-super-Mare.