ICM Bristol Beaufort Mk.I, WWII British Torpedo Bomber

The geographical location of Great Britain led to the Royal Air Force increasingly focusing on land-based seaplanes. The Bristol Beaufort, which entered service with Coastal Command at the end of 1939, was a twin-engine naval torpedo bomber with a payload of up to 908 kg, capable of undertaking reconnaissance missions as well. In its first modification - Mk I - 1014 aircraft were produced. These planes began their combat operations in April 1940, conducting air mine attacks on port cities, undertaking torpedo strikes by day and night, and bombing coastal targets. One of the most famous episodes of their combat service was the torpedoing of the German battleship "Gneisenau" in April 1941. From March 1942, the Bristol Beauforts were deployed in the Mediterranean, where they were mainly stationed in Malta. Service on them was difficult and dangerous, and during certain periods of the war, the losses among the torpedo bomber crews were the highest in the entire Royal Air Force. Despite all the challenges and combat losses, these aircraft carried out a significant number of successful attacks on enemy convoys and warships.