Airfix 02069 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-seat fighter without fixed armament, but heavily armed with twin machine guns in a 360° rotating turret. As conceived by the Royal Air Force,

such an armed aircraft would be suitable for attacking enemy bombers from below, i.e. in the least protected place. In the autumn of 1941, a version of the aircraft appeared, designated Defiant Mk IA, 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 Defiant Mk II, which differed from the previous version in a more powerful engine and the use of a more modern AI Mk 6 radar. The British pilots achieved the greatest success flying Defiant Mk I aircraft during the evacuation of the Allied forces from Dunkirk, when they shot down 65 German bombers. June and July 1940

Defiant aircraft were in service with the 141st and 264th Fighter Squadrons of the Royal Air Force. They took part in the Battle of Britain, but due to heavy losses they were withdrawn from the battle, as the German pilots realized that they had to be attacked from the front. Since 1942. Defiant aircraft began to be used for towing air targets,

initially, the Mk I version was adapted for this, and then specially adapted versions began to be produced, designated as Defiant Mk III and Mk III. The production of this type of aircraft was completed in February 1943. Technical data: Maximum speed: 489 km/h, rate of climb: 9 m/s, maximum ceiling 9250 m,

maximum flight range: 749 km, armament: stationary - 4 7.7-mm machine guns placed in the tower.

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