Boulton Paul Defiant
From Our Contribution
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: two
- Length:
- Wingspan:
- Height:
- Empty weight:
- Max takeoff weight:
- Powerplant:
- Maximum speed:
- Range:
- Service ceiling:
- Armament
- Guns:
- Bombs: