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    • ENGINES >
      • ADC Cirrus II
      • ARMSTRONG SIDDELEY >
        • Armstrong Siddeley Genet
        • Armstrong Siddeley Python
        • Armstrong Siddeley Double Mamba
        • Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah
      • Bristol Hercules
      • J.A.P. V4 Engine (1910)
      • Junkers Jumo
      • Kelly and Lewis V8 (1915)
      • PRATT AND WHITNEY >
        • Pratt & Whitney R1340 Wasp
        • Pratt & Whitney R1830 Twin Wasp
        • Pratt & Whitney R2000 Twin Wasp
        • Microturbo Cougar 022 Turbojet
      • ROLLS ROYCE >
        • Rolls Royce Avon
        • Rolls Royce Dart
        • Rolls Royce Derwent
        • Rolls Royce Kestrel
        • Rolls Royce Merlin
        • Rolls Royce Nene
      • SNECMA Atar
      • Warner Scarab
    • COMMONWEALTH AIRCFAFT CORPORATION >
      • CAC Avon Sabre A94-989
      • CAC Boomerang A46-25
      • CAC CA31 Trainer
      • CAC Ceres VH-WOT
      • CAC Wackett A3-22
      • CAC Winjeel A85-418
      • CAC Wirraway A20-10
    • D.A.P / G.A.F. AIRCRAFT >
      • DAP Mk21 Beaufighter
      • DAP Beaufort
      • GAF Jindivik
      • GAF Lincoln
    • Naval / Military >
      • B.E. 2A (Wings Only)
      • Bristol Sycamore
      • Consolidated PBY Catalina
      • Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk
      • De Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth
      • De Havilland Sea Venom
      • Fairey Firefly
      • Fairey Gannet
      • Gloster Meteor
      • Miles Messenger
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      • Bristol Freighter
      • Douglas DC-2
      • Douglas DC-3
      • Vickers Viscount
    • Other Aircraft >
      • Auster Aiglet
      • BA Swallow II
      • Cessna 310
      • de Havilland Heron
      • de Havilland Gipsy Moth
      • Desoutter II
      • Duigan Replica >
        • The Duigan Family
        • Ready Models
        • The Duigan History
        • The Duigan History 2
        • The Duigan History 3
        • The Duigan History 4
      • Percival Proctor
      • Victa AirTourer 100
  • ONLINE SHOP
    • Apparel
    • MODELS >
      • Model Kits
      • Assembled Models
      • Airfix Quick Build
      • Metal Earth Model Kits
    • Sluban Building Blocks
    • Souvenirs >
      • Pencil Sharpeners
      • Soft Toys
      • Bumper Stickers
      • ANAM Souvenirs
      • Patches
      • Badges
      • Key Rings
    • Airplane Toys
    • Arts and Crafts
    • Childrens Costumes
    • Gliders and Kites
    • R/C Aircraft
    • Books >
      • New Books
      • Pre Loved Books
  • Supporting the Museum
    • Our Supporters
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DAP Mk 21 Beaufighter A8-328

DAP Beaufighter AircraftClick on image for larger version
The Bristol Beaufighter was designed and built in England as a development of the Beaufort bomber, and initially saw service as a night fighter. English built aircraft were delivered to the RAAF for service in the Pacific with No. 22, 30, 31 and 93 Squadrons operating this variant.

In Australia the Department of Aircraft Production was in the process of producing the Beaufort bomber and in 1944 the manufacture of the Beaufighter began as a follow on project. Design changes included revised armament and a dihedral tailplane, and between September 1944 and 1946, 365 Australian Beaufighter Mk 21’s were built.

Powerfully armed, fast at low level and very quiet in flight, the Beaufighter earned a grim nickname from the Japanese, who called it “Whispering Death”.

Symbolically, our aircraft was built on the day the Pacific War ended, and saw extensive post war use as a target tug. It was retired in 1956 and given to the Lord Mayor’s Children’s camp at Portsea. In 1962 it became the first aircraft donated to the museum.

The aircraft in our collection is dedicated as a memorial to No 31 Squadron. It is one of only 6 complete examples surviving worldwide, and one of only two complete Australian made examples. As of the end of 2013 it is also the only Beaufighter in the world capable of ground running an engine.


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TECHNICAL DATA

Engine:             


Length:             

Span:               

Height:            

Weight:            

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Two (2) Bristol Hercules 14 cylinder radial 1,600 HP

41 feet 4 inches

57 feet 10 inches

15 feet 10 inches

15,600 lbs (empty)

320 mph

1,750 miles





(12.6 m)

(17.65 m)

(4.84 m)

(7076 kgs)

(515 kmh)

(2816 km)
Picture
A8-328 Beaufighter Cockpit
Click on image for larger version
Image © Ewan McArthur 2014
 © 2018 Australian Aircraft Restoration Group. All Rights Reserved.