World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseThe Type 152 Beaufort torpedo bombers were developed from the Blenheim light bomber, hence its large size for bombers of this role. They were, in fact, larger and heavier than their bomber predecessors. After a year's delay due to engine overheating problems, they entered production in Dec 1939 and were introduced to the Royal Air Force in Aug 1940. Beaufort bombers were slow, reaching a top speed of 360 km/h when carrying a torpedo. Nevertheless, they were deployed in key attacks such as the raid against German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau while in port in Brest. In the Mediterranean Sea, they saw action as minelayers and Axis shipping raiders. Beaufort bombers were also produced under license in Australia, which became the mainstay of the Royal Australian Air Force during the bulk of the Pacific War as patrol and strike aircraft. Some Australian-made Beauforts were modified as transports, earning the alternative nickname Beaufreighters. Later in WW2, the Beaufort design became the basis for the successful Beaufighter heavy fighters.

ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia.

SPECIFICATIONS

Mk.II

Machinery	Two Bristol Taurus VI 14-cylinder radial engines rated at 1,130hp each
Armament	3x7.7mm Vickers K machine guns, 1x7.7mm Browning machine gun, 907kg of bombs or 1x728kg torpedo
Crew	4
Span	17.63 m
Length	13.46 m
Height	4.34 m
Wing Area	46.73 m²
Weight, Empty	5,945 kg
Weight, Loaded	9,629 kg
Speed, Maximum	420 km/h
Speed, Cruising	360 km/h
Rate of Climb	6.10 m/s
Service Ceiling	5,030 m
Range, Normal	2,600 km

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