Why Didn't The RAF use Beaufighters Instead of Typhoons In The ETO (3 Viewers)

[MIflyer]

The Typhoon was used mainly for ground attack, and only in the ETO. Elsewhere in the war the Beaufighter was used extensively for ground attack. Given the problems with the Typhoon's Sabre engine and almost complete inability to ditch, which led to pilots being fearful of crossing the Channel, why did they not use Beaufighters to attack tanks in France? While the Tiffie probably was better for air-to-air than the Beau, the Allies owned the skies over France and the RAF had plenty of Spit IX that were not much good as fighter bombers which could have provided cover.

By the way, the RAF flew Beaufighters until 1960.

 

[Shortround6]

I like the Beaufighter but.......................

It is big.
It is slow.

Spit IXs don't defend against flak.

You might be better off using A-20s ???

 

[MikeMeech]

I like the Beaufighter but.......................

It is big.
It is slow.

Spit IXs don't defend against flak.

You might be better off using A-20s ???

Hi
You mean the the bigger and slower A-20 (Boston/Havoc)?

"The Typhoon was used mainly for ground attack, and only in the ETO. Elsewhere in the war the Beaufighter was used extensively for ground attack. Given the problems with the Typhoon's Sabre engine and almost complete inability to ditch, which led to pilots being fearful of crossing the Channel, why did they not use Beaufighters to attack tanks in France? While the Tiffie probably was better for air-to-air than the Beau, the Allies owned the skies over France and the RAF had plenty of Spit IX that were not much good as fighter bombers which could have provided cover."

That being said the Boston/Havoc was used for Intruder operations, but the Boston IIIs of Fighter Command started to be replaced by the Mosquito VI from May 1943, much faster and better armed. By D-Day the 2ndTAF were using both Typhoons and Mosquitos for ground attack missions, although smaller aircraft like the Typhoon were probably relatively harder to hit by flak when engaged in ground attack than larger twin-engine aircraft. The Beaufighter was well used by Fighter and Coastal Commands, gradually being supplemented and then replaced by variants of the Mosquito. So why would you have the Beaufighter over Normandy in 1944?

Mike

 

[EwenS]

The Beau was a big aircraft. Typhoon was faster & more manoeuvrable in the role of supporting troops on the front line, and could carry a bigger bomb load.

From 1940 night fighter squadrons had first call on production. Dec 1940 saw the first go to Coastal Command as long range fighters for convoy protection against the Fw200 Condors. But in mid-1941the first 2 CC squadrons were diverted to the Middle East to fulfill the same role there. CC Beaufighter use peaked at 9 squadrons in late 1943 / early 1944. In 1944/45 4 of those converted to the Mosquito FB.VI.

In the Med those initial 2 squadrons added strafing of vehicles to their maritime duties. The next non NF squadron didn't form until Aug 1942. The Med Beaufighter force peaked at 6 squadrons in mid/late-1943, after which there were transfers out of theatre and conversions to other types before the war ended. But the majority of their work was concerned with the long range fighter and coastal strike roles.

In the Far East the first Beau squadron didn't receive its aircraft until Nov 1942. The non NF Beau force peaked at 6 squadrons incl one transfer from the ME in early 1944, and 2 based in Ceylon converting from Beauforts in early/mid-1944. Two converted to Mosquito FB.VI in 1944/45, 1 disbanded in July 1945, leaving just 3 when the war ended.

The operations in the Far East were mostly in the form of pairs of Beaus carrying out long range intruder type work and not direct support of troops on the front line.

As for the Aussies, they formed 2 Beau squadrons in 1942, using British built aircraft, for use in the long range fighter role. Their third squadron wasn't re-equipped until Jan 1945 after virtually all its A-20s had been destroyed or damaged in a Japanese air attack. 2 other squadrons formed on the type in 1945 but only 1 saw combat before the war ended.

The last combat missions flown by RAF Beaus took place in 1948 during the Malayan Emergency. After that their service through to 1960 was in the target towing role.