Developed from the unloved Bristol Beaufort, the Beaufighter was the RAFs first purpose-built night fighter. Powered by two Bristol Hercules radial engines, it had a reputation for being one of the most difficult to fly, yet most effective, aircraft in the RAFs armoury in the first years of World War Two.

Used extensively in Europe, the Beaufighter also flew with distinction in the South East Asian theatre, and with several foreign air forces. Whether hunting night bombers, hauling rockets to devastate shipping or peacefully tramping post-war skies towing targets, the Beaufighter rarely failed. This book is respectfully dedicated to all those who flew that extraordinary aeroplane.