Another Beau question

[Tom Rigg]

Carried weapons load was:


1, 18" mkXV torpedo (1,800lbs Navweaps site)


2, 500lb bombs (1,000lbs) or


8, 3" rockets (approx. 780lbs + rails)


My question is could a Beau carry 2 bombs and some/all of the rockets?


Tom

[Robert1968]

Hi tom I have seen ref material that explains the beau could carry the torpedo in the later marks but with the 4 Hispano cannons and sometimes up to 6 wing mounted .303 in wings plus ammunition it was doubtful and have not seen any pic reference.


It depended on the mission mainly but doubtful mixed torpedo and bombs


Hope this helps


Robert

[Tom Rigg]

Thanks for the reply, Robert.


I was thinking more along the lines of a Beau armed with bombs and rockets. There seems to be the capacity there, depending on how heavy the rocket launch rails were. I believe they deleted wing mounted .303s on the mk X


If you scroll down this link, there's a photo of a mk XV armed Beaufighter


http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WTBR_WWII.htm


Tom

[flyjoe180]

I would say that they would carry one or the other. Wing loads were either rockets or 250lb bombs, not a mixture. The reason is wing attachment points (the rocket rail attachments cover the bomb attachment point)

[Tom Rigg]

Flyjoe,


What about bombs under the fuselage and rockets on the wings?

[flyjoe180]

It's all down to which mark of the Beaufighter from what I can find. The Beaufighter X had provision for two 500lb bombs under the fuselage in lieu of a torpedo, and had wing bomb attachment points/rocket rails as discussed above. So yes, if it is a Beaufighter X I would say you can mix the munitions that way. Earlier versions did not have the capability.