Bristol Beaufighter TF.X

I’ve finished this very nice 1:72 scale Airfix Bristol Beaufighter TF.X in the colours of 404 Squadron aircraft EE-H / NE355 apparently set in June 1944 when stationed at Davidstow, Cornwall. 

Having recently built a later Beaufighter with rockets, I thought this time I’d go with the torpedo. Airfix suggest these are interchangeable on this model, though I decided, however, to forgo the D-Day stripes, preferring its all grey appearance. I completed the look with a set of Vallejo’s Coastal Command paints and AK’s weathering pencils. 

Now for a bit of interesting background: 

In 1942, Coastal Command began to take delivery of the torpedo-carrying Beaufighter. The TF Mk.X (Torpedo Fighter), commonly known as the 'Torbeau', was the Beaufighter for precision attacks on shipping at wave-top height with torpedoes or '60lb' RP-3 rockets. 

In April 1943, after a spell in Cornwall flying missions over the Bay of Biscay, 404 moved to Scotland in support of 144 (RAF) Squadron’s torpedo-carrying Beaufighters in what was to be their new anti-flak role. Using machine-gun, cannon and rockets, their mission was to engage and neutralise defending flak ships and fighters, while 114’s torpedo bombers closed in on the high value merchant vessels.

In May 1944, 404 and 144 moved back to Cornwall, to Davidstow Moor. According to 404 Squadron’s website, this Airfix kit is based on one of the most famous photos of a Canadian Beaufighter taken during the War; that of the Commanding Officer’s (W/C Gatward) aircraft.  The ‘EE-H’ unit code and D-Day invasion stripes are interesting. I understand this picture was probably taken in August, long after D-day and that on D-Day, aircraft no. NE355 actually wore the unit code ‘2-H’, the ‘2’ signifying Davidstow Moor. 

So, this model is a bit of an oddity. For one, I have built it with a torpedo which although correct for the Beaufighters of 114 Squadron, not necessarily for 404 which were fitted with rockets; and while the unit code “EE” may have been correct as early as August, not so June. Discuss … 🧐

Either way, I always enjoy a ‘what-if’ build!