Bristol Beaufighter Mk21 question

[MG1962]

When you look at photos of this plane you can see a blister towards the back of the plane that is clearly designed for someone to sit in. In some variations of this aircraft the purpose is obvious...a rear gunner.

However specifically with the Mark 21 there are photos of people sitting in this blister, but clearly not a gunners of any sort. Hustling all over Google I have failed to find out what the person in this seat is doing besides being a target.

Can anyone tell me what he is doing, or point me to a resource that may be able to answer this question

 

[theprestige]

Well, he's probably not being a target, since a) it's doubtful anybody at the time had the precision and accuracy necessary to indulge in called shots to anything other than "the general vicinity of the center of mass of that airplane over there", and b) he's not doing anything obviously important, that can't be more easily addressed by simply shooting the plane down.

My guess? Observer. I imagine any dogfighter would greatly appreciate having somebody dedicated to casting his gaze every which way but loose, and calling out potential hazards.

 

[Piscivore]

Looks like an observation dome for the radio/radar operator.
http://www.pilotfriend.com/photo_albums/timeline/ww2/Bristol Beaufighter.htm

 

[Big Les]

Can confirm Observer's (i.e. navigator's) station, which had a swivelling seat. I've interviewed one of them, whose pilot pulled him out of that position after the aircraft flipped on takeoff. The pilot didn't make it, and he still has the survivor's guilt.

 

[MG1962]

Can confirm Observer's (i.e. navigator's) station, which had a swivelling seat. I've interviewed one of them, whose pilot pulled him out of that position after the aircraft flipped on takeoff. The pilot didn't make it, and he still has the survivor's guilt.

Cheers thanks for that

 

[Sabretooth]

from wiki:

When Beaufighters were developed as fighter-torpedo bombers, they used their firepower (often the machine-guns were removed anyway) to suppress flak fire and hit enemy ships, especially escort and small vessels. The areas for the rear gunner and bomb-aimer were removed, leaving only the pilot in a fighter-type cockpit. The navigator/radar operator sat to the rear under a small Perspex bubble where the Beaufort's dorsal turret had been.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Beaufighter

 

[MG1962]

from wiki:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Beaufighter

I missed that when scanning the article - I am surprised to read he did the radar work because when the Beaufighters were converted to night fighters in 42' all the radar gear was built into the nose

 

[SpitfireIX]

I missed that when scanning the article - I am surprised to read he did the radar work because when the Beaufighters were converted to night fighters in 42' all the radar gear was built into the nose

Presumably the scope and controls were at the observer's position.

ETA: Several American single-engine aircraft had their radars mounted in wing pods, but that's not where the operators rode.

 

[Corsair 115]

Several American single-engine aircraft had their radars mounted in wing pods, but that's not where the operators rode.

Much to their relief, I'm sure.

 

[MG1962]

Presumably the scope and controls were at the observer's position.

ETA: Several American single-engine aircraft had their radars mounted in wing pods, but that's not where the operators rode.

Well the Beaufighter was a twin engine job, so should have been plenty of room for them to hang from a sling at the front

 

[SpitfireIX]

Much to their relief, I'm sure.

Don't laugh; they actually used modified drop tanks on P-38s as medevac pods.

http://p38assn.org/images/p38s/ambulance.png

 

[Sabretooth]

Don't laugh; they actually used modified drop tanks on P-38s as medevac pods.

http://p38assn.org/images/p38s/ambulance.png

I think I'd die from anxiety before they stuff my broken butt into one of those death pods.

 

[Corsair 115]

Don't laugh; they actually used modified drop tanks on P-38s as medevac pods.

Some P-38s had the nose-mounted cannon and machine guns removed and replaced by a perspex nose and a bombadier's station complete with Norden bombsight.

 

[Toke]

I have read of drop pods on fighters used for making ice cream.

Mix up batch, attach it to the plane and tell the pilot to take it high for a spin.

 

[SpitfireIX]

I think I'd die from anxiety before they stuff my broken butt into one of those death pods.

I figure they only put those who were too out of it to realize what was going on into them.

 

[SpitfireIX]

Some P-38s had the nose-mounted cannon and machine guns removed and replaced by a perspex nose and a bombadier's station complete with Norden bombsight.

I didn't know they had bomb sights; I thought those were just for observers. But I'll take that over the pod.

 

[Corsair 115]

I didn't know they had bomb sights; I thought those were just for observers.

The idea was you'd have a formation of P-38s carrying bombs led by the modified P-38 with a bombardier. The rest of the aircraft would drop their bombs when the lead aircraft did. A few P-38s were modified to this purpose and I think a couple of missions were carried out.