Dallachy Strike Wing Beaufighter TF.Xs – 144, 455 (RAAF), & 489 (RNZAF) Squadrons – Docs digital publication
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Features 16 historic Beaufighter TF.Xs, including 6 aircraft of 144 Squadron, and 5 each of 455 (RAAF) and 489 (RNZAF) Squadrons, all in service with 18 Group, RAF Coastal Command, during the frantic period of intensive operations against enemy shipping in Norwegian coastal waters throughout the winter and spring of 1945. This is one of our most extensive Decals 'n Docs set yet in terms of both individual aircraft covered and detailed technical material.
Articles in this Docs edition cover:
• The late-war rocket projectile (R/P) set-up used throughout 1945, complete with scale drawings and paint/finishing notes (one full page);
• The progressive array of features introduced on the Beaufighter TF.X by both the manufacturer and the service, from aerial particulars, to Mk.XII wings (!), and Hercules Mk.XVIII engines (two full pages of summary information with illustrations and photos);
• The modified tailplane / elevator as retrofitted to a number of late-war Beaux and introduced on the production line. Includes clear Aviaeology scale line-drawings plus maintenance manual excerpts to show details.
• A two-page exclusive visual guide for detailing, and properly "slinging", a late-war Mk.XV Torpedo complete with its Monoplane Air Tail Mk.IV on any of the five 489 Sqn 'Torbeaus' featured.
Laced throughout with technical / equipment notes on each individual aircraft, as well as summaries of the Dallachy-era highlights of each aircraft's career, including specific aircrew and operations.
A must for understanding the production and field-mod variations applicable to late-war Beaufighter TF.Xs in Coastal Command's rocket-specialist and Torbeau squadrons.
(Please note: any watermarks visible on the shop preview images are not present on the actual PDF pages)
Articles in this Docs edition cover:
• The late-war rocket projectile (R/P) set-up used throughout 1945, complete with scale drawings and paint/finishing notes (one full page);
• The progressive array of features introduced on the Beaufighter TF.X by both the manufacturer and the service, from aerial particulars, to Mk.XII wings (!), and Hercules Mk.XVIII engines (two full pages of summary information with illustrations and photos);
• The modified tailplane / elevator as retrofitted to a number of late-war Beaux and introduced on the production line. Includes clear Aviaeology scale line-drawings plus maintenance manual excerpts to show details.
• A two-page exclusive visual guide for detailing, and properly "slinging", a late-war Mk.XV Torpedo complete with its Monoplane Air Tail Mk.IV on any of the five 489 Sqn 'Torbeaus' featured.
Laced throughout with technical / equipment notes on each individual aircraft, as well as summaries of the Dallachy-era highlights of each aircraft's career, including specific aircrew and operations.
A must for understanding the production and field-mod variations applicable to late-war Beaufighter TF.Xs in Coastal Command's rocket-specialist and Torbeau squadrons.
(Please note: any watermarks visible on the shop preview images are not present on the actual PDF pages)
Aircraft covered in this Doc:
144 Squadron, Dallachy Strike Wing, 18 Group, RAF Coastal Command, Dallachy, Scotland, 1945
• Beaufighter TF.X NE578 / PL•K
Participated in, and survived the 'Black Friday' (9 February 1945) strike at Forde Fjord and continued on ops through to the Kiel Bay strikes of early May.
• Beaufighter TF.X NE831 / PL•O
Participated in, and survived the 'Black Friday' (9 February 1945) strike at Forde Fjord – returned damaged to belly land and never flew again.
– Flown by the crew of F/S’s Butler & Nicholl on Black Friday, 9 February 1945.
• Beaufighter TF.X NE832 / PL•Q
Participated in, and survived the 'Black Friday' (9 February 1945) strike at Forde Fjord – returned damaged but flew again after repairs through to the first of the two Kiel Bay ops on 3 May 1945.
– Flown by the crew of F/S’s Butler & Nicholl on Black Friday, 9 February 1945.
• Beaufighter TF.X NT929 / PL•Z
Participated in, and survived the 'Black Friday' (9 February 1945) strike at Forde Fjord, attacking one of the enemy vessels with cannon fire. Damaged in a landing accident 9 days later.
– Flown by the crew of WO R.H. Field and FS D.H Anstey on Black Friday, 9 February 1945.
– Flown by the crew of S/L D.A. Duncanson (RCAF), and F/O H.V. Tipper on a 10 February 1945 air-sea rescue sweep looking for missing airmen from the previous day's strike.
• Beaufighter TF.X NV183 / PL•A1
Originally a 404 Sqn aircraft. Participated in seven operations with 144 Sqn from 11 April 1945 through to post VE-Day.
– Flown by the crew of S/L D.A. Duncanson (RCAF), DFC, and F/O H.V. Tipper on a 12 May 1945 convoy escort mission armed with cannon and R/P.
• Beaufighter TF.X RD393 / PL•A
This aircraft had the modified tailplane with enlarged elevator and enhanced balance system, the Mk.XII wing with its different tips and fuel system modifications, the dorsal fin extension, the ASV.XII radar (with thimble nose), and the F.46 "roof" strike camera. RD393 was powered by small series of Hercules XVIII engines installed without spinners on the prop hubs. Retrograded with the removal of some of these new features, apparently by the Maintenance Unit, before delivery to 144 Squadron.
– Twenty operational sorties in 1945, starting 4 March with Australian pilot WO King and his navigator, WO McCormack.
– Crew of F/L L.W. Duffarn and F/O H. Hill on 24 March Egersund strike, armed with R/P & cannon.
455 (RAAF) Squadron, Dallachy Strike Wing, 18 Group, RAF Coastal Command, Dallachy, Scotland, 1945
• Beaufighter TF.X LZ407 / UB•F
One of the squadron's original TF.X's, delivered in late December 1943. Participated in ten ops through 1945, including the 'Black Friday' (9 February 1945) strike at Forde Fjord where it was damaged but returned safely.
– Flown by the crew of F/O W.G. Herbert & FS J.W. Tucker on Black Friday, 9 February 1945.
– Flown by the crew of F/O S.J. Sykes, DFC, & F/O Pearson on Årdals Fjord strike, 4 April 1945. Flak-damaged, belly-landed at Sumburgh in the Shetland Islands with both crew wounded.
• Beaufighter TF.X NT947 / UB•E
A neat subject with both enlarged elevator tailplane and fin extension modification conversions made late in its 455 Sqn career. Participated in ten ops through 1945
– Flown by the crew of F/L C.G. Thompson, DFC, & W/O I.M. Gordon on a 5 hour sortie (combat at Jøssing Fjord plus ASR cover for 40 minutes on the way out) on 14 April 1945.
• Beaufighter TF.X RD329 / UB•X
This aircraft had the modified tailplane with enlarged elevator and enhanced balance system, the Mk.XII wing with its different tips and fuel system modifications, the dorsal fin extension, the ASV.XII radar (with thimble nose), and the F.46 "roof" strike camera. RD329 was powered by small series of Hercules XVIII engines installed without spinners on the prop hubs. Retrograded with the removal of some of these new features, apparently by the Maintenance Unit, before delivery to 455 Squadron. Attrition replacement for the previous "X" (NV450) that was lost on Black Friday. RD329 was lost on its second operational sortie…
– Crew of WO G.E. Longland & FS E.C. Nayda shot down by flak on 24 March 1945 Egersund Harbour strike.
• Beaufighter TF.X RD459 / UB•Y
This aircraft had the modified tailplane with enlarged elevator and enhanced balance system, the Mk.XII wing with its different tips and fuel system modifications, the dorsal fin extension, the ASV.XII radar (with thimble nose), and the F.46 "roof" strike camera. RD359 was powered by the standard late-series of Hercules XVIII engines that featured spinners on the prop hubs. Retrograded with the removal of some of these new features, apparently by the Maintenance Unit, before delivery to 455 Squadron. Flew seventeen operational sorties as part of the Wing, some of which were after VE-Day.
An Australian flag marking was applied to the port side of the nose, embellished with a neat little "Yarra" and Roo nose art. It is not confirmed whether or not any of the other 455 Sqn subjects had the flag applied to the nose. However, it is present on photos of a number of the squadron's other aircraft, so extra flags are supplied just in case your references reveal something ours didn't.
489 (RNZAF) Squadron, Dallachy Strike Wing, 18 Group, RAF Coastal Command, Dallachy, Scotland, 1945
• Beaufighter TF.X NE210 / P6•X
A neat subject… although one of the earliest TF.X's on the squadron (almost lost to flak on its first operational sortie 14 January 1944!) sometime after January/February 1945 it featured both the enlarged elevator tailplane and fin extension modification conversions. Participated in ten ops through 1945.
– Flown by the crew of F/Os K. Marsh & J. Ward as a "Torbeau" on both early May 1945 Kiel Bay operations.
• Beaufighter TF.X NV175 / P6•D
Flew fourteen operational sorties through 1945.
– Flown by W/C D. Hammond, DSO, DFC, & F/L R. Park as Outrider #1 (cannon only) to the main Force on a 23 April 1945 'Wing Effort'.
– Flown by the crew of S/L K. Sawyer & WO L. Reeves as a "Torbeau" on the second Kiel Bay operation.
• Beaufighter TF.X RD349 / P6•C1
This aircraft had the modified tailplane with enlarged elevator and enhanced balance system, the Mk.XII wing with its different tips and fuel system modifications, the dorsal fin extension, the ASV.XII radar (with thimble nose), and the F.46 "roof" strike camera. RD349 was powered by small series of Hercules XVIII engines installed without spinners on the prop hubs. 489 Sqn was a torpedo specialist unit – one of two Coastal Command squadrons trained in the use of the the new radar system, so the configuration was not stripped down. Flew both anti-flak and Torbeau sorties prior to VE-Day and was one of the squadron's aircraft fitted with R/P gear sometime after May, training crews on the standard anti-shipping weapon they would later use on Mosquitoes before standing down completely.
• Beaufighter TF.X RD425 / P6•F1
This aircraft had the modified tailplane with enlarged elevator and enhanced balance system, the Mk.XII wing with its different tips and fuel system modifications, the dorsal fin extension, the ASV.XII radar (with thimble nose), and the F.46 "roof" strike camera. RD425 was powered by the standard late-series of Hercules XVIII engines that featured spinners on the prop hubs. Al equipment retained operationally as per RD349 above. Flew both anti-flak and Torbeau sorties prior to VE-Day and was one of the Wing aircraft participating in the Operation Kingdom convoy escort mission seeing Norwegian VIPs back to their home country from the UK on 12 May 1945.
• Beaufighter TF.X RD432 / P6•L1
Technical details as per RD425 above. Flew a good number of both anti-flak and Torbeau sorties prior to VE-Day and was crewed by W/C D. Hammond, DSO, DFC, & F/L R. Park on the 12 May 1945 Operation Kingdom convoy escort mission.
144 Squadron, Dallachy Strike Wing, 18 Group, RAF Coastal Command, Dallachy, Scotland, 1945
• Beaufighter TF.X NE578 / PL•K
Participated in, and survived the 'Black Friday' (9 February 1945) strike at Forde Fjord and continued on ops through to the Kiel Bay strikes of early May.
• Beaufighter TF.X NE831 / PL•O
Participated in, and survived the 'Black Friday' (9 February 1945) strike at Forde Fjord – returned damaged to belly land and never flew again.
– Flown by the crew of F/S’s Butler & Nicholl on Black Friday, 9 February 1945.
• Beaufighter TF.X NE832 / PL•Q
Participated in, and survived the 'Black Friday' (9 February 1945) strike at Forde Fjord – returned damaged but flew again after repairs through to the first of the two Kiel Bay ops on 3 May 1945.
– Flown by the crew of F/S’s Butler & Nicholl on Black Friday, 9 February 1945.
• Beaufighter TF.X NT929 / PL•Z
Participated in, and survived the 'Black Friday' (9 February 1945) strike at Forde Fjord, attacking one of the enemy vessels with cannon fire. Damaged in a landing accident 9 days later.
– Flown by the crew of WO R.H. Field and FS D.H Anstey on Black Friday, 9 February 1945.
– Flown by the crew of S/L D.A. Duncanson (RCAF), and F/O H.V. Tipper on a 10 February 1945 air-sea rescue sweep looking for missing airmen from the previous day's strike.
• Beaufighter TF.X NV183 / PL•A1
Originally a 404 Sqn aircraft. Participated in seven operations with 144 Sqn from 11 April 1945 through to post VE-Day.
– Flown by the crew of S/L D.A. Duncanson (RCAF), DFC, and F/O H.V. Tipper on a 12 May 1945 convoy escort mission armed with cannon and R/P.
• Beaufighter TF.X RD393 / PL•A
This aircraft had the modified tailplane with enlarged elevator and enhanced balance system, the Mk.XII wing with its different tips and fuel system modifications, the dorsal fin extension, the ASV.XII radar (with thimble nose), and the F.46 "roof" strike camera. RD393 was powered by small series of Hercules XVIII engines installed without spinners on the prop hubs. Retrograded with the removal of some of these new features, apparently by the Maintenance Unit, before delivery to 144 Squadron.
– Twenty operational sorties in 1945, starting 4 March with Australian pilot WO King and his navigator, WO McCormack.
– Crew of F/L L.W. Duffarn and F/O H. Hill on 24 March Egersund strike, armed with R/P & cannon.
455 (RAAF) Squadron, Dallachy Strike Wing, 18 Group, RAF Coastal Command, Dallachy, Scotland, 1945
• Beaufighter TF.X LZ407 / UB•F
One of the squadron's original TF.X's, delivered in late December 1943. Participated in ten ops through 1945, including the 'Black Friday' (9 February 1945) strike at Forde Fjord where it was damaged but returned safely.
– Flown by the crew of F/O W.G. Herbert & FS J.W. Tucker on Black Friday, 9 February 1945.
– Flown by the crew of F/O S.J. Sykes, DFC, & F/O Pearson on Årdals Fjord strike, 4 April 1945. Flak-damaged, belly-landed at Sumburgh in the Shetland Islands with both crew wounded.
• Beaufighter TF.X NT947 / UB•E
A neat subject with both enlarged elevator tailplane and fin extension modification conversions made late in its 455 Sqn career. Participated in ten ops through 1945
– Flown by the crew of F/L C.G. Thompson, DFC, & W/O I.M. Gordon on a 5 hour sortie (combat at Jøssing Fjord plus ASR cover for 40 minutes on the way out) on 14 April 1945.
• Beaufighter TF.X RD329 / UB•X
This aircraft had the modified tailplane with enlarged elevator and enhanced balance system, the Mk.XII wing with its different tips and fuel system modifications, the dorsal fin extension, the ASV.XII radar (with thimble nose), and the F.46 "roof" strike camera. RD329 was powered by small series of Hercules XVIII engines installed without spinners on the prop hubs. Retrograded with the removal of some of these new features, apparently by the Maintenance Unit, before delivery to 455 Squadron. Attrition replacement for the previous "X" (NV450) that was lost on Black Friday. RD329 was lost on its second operational sortie…
– Crew of WO G.E. Longland & FS E.C. Nayda shot down by flak on 24 March 1945 Egersund Harbour strike.
• Beaufighter TF.X RD459 / UB•Y
This aircraft had the modified tailplane with enlarged elevator and enhanced balance system, the Mk.XII wing with its different tips and fuel system modifications, the dorsal fin extension, the ASV.XII radar (with thimble nose), and the F.46 "roof" strike camera. RD359 was powered by the standard late-series of Hercules XVIII engines that featured spinners on the prop hubs. Retrograded with the removal of some of these new features, apparently by the Maintenance Unit, before delivery to 455 Squadron. Flew seventeen operational sorties as part of the Wing, some of which were after VE-Day.
An Australian flag marking was applied to the port side of the nose, embellished with a neat little "Yarra" and Roo nose art. It is not confirmed whether or not any of the other 455 Sqn subjects had the flag applied to the nose. However, it is present on photos of a number of the squadron's other aircraft, so extra flags are supplied just in case your references reveal something ours didn't.
489 (RNZAF) Squadron, Dallachy Strike Wing, 18 Group, RAF Coastal Command, Dallachy, Scotland, 1945
• Beaufighter TF.X NE210 / P6•X
A neat subject… although one of the earliest TF.X's on the squadron (almost lost to flak on its first operational sortie 14 January 1944!) sometime after January/February 1945 it featured both the enlarged elevator tailplane and fin extension modification conversions. Participated in ten ops through 1945.
– Flown by the crew of F/Os K. Marsh & J. Ward as a "Torbeau" on both early May 1945 Kiel Bay operations.
• Beaufighter TF.X NV175 / P6•D
Flew fourteen operational sorties through 1945.
– Flown by W/C D. Hammond, DSO, DFC, & F/L R. Park as Outrider #1 (cannon only) to the main Force on a 23 April 1945 'Wing Effort'.
– Flown by the crew of S/L K. Sawyer & WO L. Reeves as a "Torbeau" on the second Kiel Bay operation.
• Beaufighter TF.X RD349 / P6•C1
This aircraft had the modified tailplane with enlarged elevator and enhanced balance system, the Mk.XII wing with its different tips and fuel system modifications, the dorsal fin extension, the ASV.XII radar (with thimble nose), and the F.46 "roof" strike camera. RD349 was powered by small series of Hercules XVIII engines installed without spinners on the prop hubs. 489 Sqn was a torpedo specialist unit – one of two Coastal Command squadrons trained in the use of the the new radar system, so the configuration was not stripped down. Flew both anti-flak and Torbeau sorties prior to VE-Day and was one of the squadron's aircraft fitted with R/P gear sometime after May, training crews on the standard anti-shipping weapon they would later use on Mosquitoes before standing down completely.
• Beaufighter TF.X RD425 / P6•F1
This aircraft had the modified tailplane with enlarged elevator and enhanced balance system, the Mk.XII wing with its different tips and fuel system modifications, the dorsal fin extension, the ASV.XII radar (with thimble nose), and the F.46 "roof" strike camera. RD425 was powered by the standard late-series of Hercules XVIII engines that featured spinners on the prop hubs. Al equipment retained operationally as per RD349 above. Flew both anti-flak and Torbeau sorties prior to VE-Day and was one of the Wing aircraft participating in the Operation Kingdom convoy escort mission seeing Norwegian VIPs back to their home country from the UK on 12 May 1945.
• Beaufighter TF.X RD432 / P6•L1
Technical details as per RD425 above. Flew a good number of both anti-flak and Torbeau sorties prior to VE-Day and was crewed by W/C D. Hammond, DSO, DFC, & F/L R. Park on the 12 May 1945 Operation Kingdom convoy escort mission.