1/72 HOBBYMASTER (HA2309) BRISTOL BEAUFIGHTER TF-MK-X (LZ451 - 2M) R.C.A.F 404-BUFFALO-SQDN COASTAL COMMAND DAVIDSTOW MOOR JUN, 1944 (LIMITED EDITION OF 800)

1/72 HOBBYMASTER (HA2309) BRISTOL BEAUFIGHTER TF-MK-X (LZ-451 - 2M) R.C.A.F 403-BUFFALO-SQDN COASTAL COMMAND DAVIDSTOW MOOR JUN, 1944 (LIMITED EDITION OF 800) . The Bristol Beaufighter was designed as a two-seat long-range fighter. To speed upproduction many parts of the older Bristol Beaufort were used. The tail, landing gear andwings of the Beaufort were transplanted to the Beaufighter and most units were equippedwith airborne radar located in the nose for night-fighting. The Mk. IF was the initialproduction and fitted with four 20 mm cannons in the nose along with six 7.7 mm machineguns in the wings. The Beaufighter TF Mk.X was the last major version with 2,231 built.The RCAF 404 Squadron was known as the “Buffalo Squadron”. In June 1944 the squadronwas part of RAF Coastal Command stationed at Davidstow Moor, in North Cornwall. OnJune 4, 1944 the aircraft received their D-Day invasion stripes. On June 6, 1944 threeGerman Narvik Class destroyers were sighted proceeding up the English Channel towardsthe D-Day landing. Fourteen Beaufighters from 404 were sent to intercept the ships. Armedwith 25-pound SAP (semi-armor piercing) RP (Rocket Projectiles) they found their targetsand attacked the lead ship and then the second. Both were left on fire while the third shipused ship number 2 as cover. All aircraft returned to base to refuel and rearm for a secondstrike. The ships were located again and with two of them smoking the third ship was themain target. It too was set afire but as it turns out the three ships managed to limp back toport and within two days they were back in the English Channel. It was later determined that74 of the 96 RP’s found their targets. This time they encountered the 10th Destroyer Flotillathat destroyed one ship, drove another onto the rocks and forced the third back to Brest.RCAF 404 Squadron received their Beaufighters in September 1942 and never flew againstground targets and never carried anything but RP’s. In April 1945 404 Squadron switched toMosquitos. LZ451 2-M (2 signifying Davidstow Moor) was crewed by F/L WR Christisonfrom Lennoxville, Quebec and F/L Toon. .