Boulton Paul Defiant
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| History | |
|---|---|
| Role | Interceptor |
| Designer | John Dudley North |
| Manufacturer | Boulton Paul Aircraft |
| Number built | 1,064 |
| Primary users | RAF, RAAF, RCAF, Polish Air Force |
| In service | December 1939 |
Remarks
The Defiant was found to be effective at destroying bombers, the role it was designed for, but was vulnerable to the Luftwaffe's more manoeuvrable, single-seat Messerschmitt fighters. The Defiant lacked forward-firing armament, which proved to be a great weakness in daylight combat with fighters. It did, however, find success when it was converted to a night fighter. Eventually thirteen squadrons were equipped for this role, compared to just two squadrons as a day-fighter, though this was mainly due to slow initial production. In mid-1942 it was replaced by better performing night-fighters, the Bristol Beaufighter and De Havilland Mosquito.
The Defiant continued to find use in gunnery training, target towing, electronic countermeasures and air-sea rescue.
General characteristics
- Crew:
- Length:
- Wingspan:
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- Empty weight:
- Max takeoff weight:
- Powerplant:
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- Armament
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- Bombs: