BOULTON PAUL DEFIANT MK.1

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 They took part in the Battle of Britain, but due to large losses they were withdrawn from the fight, because the German pilots realized that they should be attacked from the front.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.