· Type: Monoplane, Two seat fighter
· Powerplant: Rolls Royce Merlin
III
· Performance: 1,030 hp at 16,250ft
, max speed 304 mph at 17,000 ft , climb rate 1,900 ft per min.
· Weights: empty 6,078 lb , loaded
8,318 lb ,
· Dimensions: wing span, 39 feet
4 inches. length, 35 feet 4 inches. height, 11 feet 4 inches. wing area,
250 square feet.
· Armament: four .303 Browning
machine guns in a hydraulically operated dorsal turret.
Here is an example of a Defiant, many of which could be found
flying around scotland during WWII.First their role would be as
daytime fighters and as the Germans began to exploit their weakness
they were then used as a night fighter.Pilot confidence and trust
in this
aircraft varied due to there being a problem with sticking rear
gun turrets.
A Boulton-Paul Defiant
Defiants of 264 Squadron flying in formation.
A nightfighter Defiant of 151 Squadron