Bristol Beaufighter with Griffon engines

[EwenS]

The Hornet was designed around the 2,000hp Merlin 130 series engines which had their frontal area reduced by the relocation of various engine auxiliaries. With the size of the airframe minimised that proved more than adequate to make it amongst the fastest of the final generation of piston engined fighters. So no need for the heavier and physically larger Griffon.

IIRC the Hornet also used a wing with an aluminium lower skin.

There were design studies in 1940 for a Mosquito with both RR Griffons and Napier Sabre engines. But for a variety of reasons it was never taken further.

 

[EwenS]

Another interesting Merlin engined Beaufighter variation that I've recently learned of courtesy of the new Air Britain publication on the aircraft concerned R2061. This aircraft was a Mk.II prototype built in July 1940, that was refitted with Merlin XX engines in RE Exe engine cowlings in Dec 1940. There are 3 photos of this installation in the book.

As the project never went beyond that I assume it offered no advantage to the normal cowlings.

 

[fannum]

The Beaufighter was built with Merlins when Hercules production didn't keep up, and it was in high demand as the Beau was so versatile. The trial with Griffons was a logical next step.
Note that the Beaufighter was not in competition with the Mosquito, as although they both served in the same roles, it was a quantity vs. quality situation. Note that the Beaufighter had a longer range, especially helpful in shipping interdiction in so many theaters.