Basic information
| Manufacturer | Airfix |
| Product code | afx05132 |
| Weight: | 0.31 kg |
| Ean: | 5055288640764 |
| Scale | 1:48 |
| Added to catalog on: | 12.29.2017 |
| Tags: | Boulton-Paul-Defiant |
Quickly outclassed as a day fighter during the Battle of Britain, the Boulton Paul Defiant would be tasked with protecting Britain from night bombing raids by the Luftwaffe. Not trained to fight at night, Defiant crews would have to develop interception techniques as they fought, but found the aircraft much more suited to this nocturnal fighting environment.
After enjoying initial successes against Luftwaffe pilots unfamiliar with Britain’s turret fighter, Defiant crews soon discovered the limitations of their aircraft. The significant additional weight of the gun turret, combined with a relatively poor arc of defensive fire meant that German Messerschmitts soon learned how to attack these unusual aircraft. As combat losses began to mount, RAF Defiants were relegated to night fighting duties, where the aircraft would be much less vulnerable and could make better use of its offensive firepower.
As the night Blitz against London raged, Defiant crews would have to develop their own interception techniques, as many were not trained in this type of fighting. They learned quickly and soon began to score victories against the Luftwaffe raiders, helping to establish a cohesive night defence system and rebuilding the reputation of the Defiant. These all black nocturnal hunters became some of the most distinctive RAF aircraft of the Second World War.
The Boulton Paul Defiant is a night fighter built in 1937. In the mid-1930s, the RAF command ordered a two-seater fighter without fixed armament, but with strong armament in the form of coupled machine guns in a 360 ° rotating turret. According to the RAF experts' concept, such an armed plane would be suitable for attacking enemy bombers from below, i.e. in the least defended place. In the fall of 1941. A version of the aircraft, designated as Defiant Mk IA, appeared, which was equipped with an AI Mk 4 radar and was used as a night fighter. From February 1941, a new version of the aircraft was also launched, designated as Defiant Mk II, which differed from the previous version with a more powerful engine and the use of more modern AI Mk 6 radar. The greatest success was achieved by English pilots flying Defiant Mk I planes during the evacuation of the Allied forces from Dunkirk, when they shot down 65 German bombers. In June and July 1940. Defiant planes were in service with the 141 and 264 Fighter Squadrons of the RAF. They took part in the Battle of Britain, but due to large losses they were withdrawn from the fight, because the German pilots realized that they should be attacked from the front. From 1942. Defiant aircraft began to be used for towing air targets, initially the Mk I version was adapted to this, and then specially adapted versions designated as Defiant Mk III and Mk IIIs began to be produced. The production of this type of aircraft was completed in February 1943. Technical data: Maximum speed: 489 km / h, speed of climb: 9 m / s, maximum ceiling 9250 m, maximum range: 749 km, armament: fixed - 4 7.7mm machine guns placed in the turret.
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