Hobby Master 1/72 HA2315 Bristol Beaufighter Mk.IC T3317/XK-?, No.272 Sqn., Malta 1941
Hobby Master 1/72 Bristol Beaufighter Mk.IC T3317/XK-?, No.272 Sqn., Malta 1941 HA2315
1941 saw the arrival of the latest variant of the Bristol Beaufighter, the Mk. IC. The Mk. IC entered active service on Malta in May 1941 with the No. 252 Squadron. They proved extremely effective destroying Axis shipping, aircraft and ground strafing in the Mediterranean region. Because the Mk. IC could be adapted to carry 250 or 500 pounds bombs along with its stellar performance, Coastal Command replaced their aging Beauforts and Blenheims with the Beaufighter. The Mk. IC was used by Britain, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Early in July 1941 RAF No. 272 Squadron transferred 8 Bristol Beaufighters from Edku, Egypt to Malta. During July 1941, Sqn. Ldr A.W. Fletcher CO, a Canadian, flew Beaufighter Mk. IC T3317/XK-? on a strafing attack on Sicilian airfields destroying four SM.79s and two CR.42s. Two days later Fletcher destroyed three more SM.79s just before the squadron was sent back to Egypt in early August 1941. Because of his rank Sqn. Ldr A.W. Fletcher CO was able to wear the ?.