Beaufighter: why isn't the rear observer position usable?

[IvanK]

DT are watching this thread

In the case of the MK21 few RAAF Beaufighters ever carried a gun in the observers cockpit. There are just 2 images (that I am aware of) of MK21's ever the showing a rearward facing .303 MG but thats about it, one of the images (A8-99 over Princess Bridge Melbourne) is a little sus and looks as if it has been retouched. The other one shows a MK21 (A8-95) over the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance that has a gun in the back but thats about it. Given only the MK21 is modelled in IL2 (and only the RAAF operated the MK21) then discussion of the early marks in RAAF/RAF service is perhaps redundant, however in most cases they also did not carry any rearward facing armament.

In RAF service the TF.X a rearward facing .303 calibre weapon was common, where a specific non bubble observers cockpit was fitted

The idea of Nav providing SA by Bandit sightings etc has great merit.

[_RAAF_Firestorm]

Ivan, your words are music to the ears of so many people!

Great to see that you've done some research on the matter already. We'd love to hear more about what you've got in the works but obviously understand that you guys can only share information selectively.

Thanks for dropping by with a carrot!

[IvanK]

No promises Firestorm but hope springs eternal.

[_RAAF_Firestorm]

Indeed, how very, very true!

Another thread comes to a civil, happy end. There was mystique, drama and intrigue, a climax that was worth the toil... and in the end, we are left with renewed hope and the possibility of a sequel.

I'm heading off with a smile, to pour myself a glass of red. I plan to sip it slowly while standing on the back deck, staring at the sunset.

Thanks Ivan.

[Skoshi Tiger]

Heres a few pictures of Beaufighters with what looks like guns.

http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/UK1883
http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/MED1521

Cheers!

[Art-J]

Originally Posted by Skoshi Tiger

Heres a few pictures of Beaufighters with what looks like guns.

http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/UK1883
http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/MED1521

Cheers!

These are not Mk-21s and they're not operating in Far East though!

Cheers.

[Buster_Dee]

Does anyone have any TR1133 info (Transmitter T1136, Receiver R1137 and Amplifier A1135 pics), or at least the layout of the boxes when radar was also installed? The 1133 would have been the typical radio system used by the observer. (the TR9 preceded it but wasn't very good and doesn't seem to have lasted beyond late 1940).

[Romanator21]

If I'm not mistaken, the Mk.21 Is simply an Australian designation for the British Mk.X.

It seems the Mk.X is more likely to carry the rear gun. Since the versions are so similar, it shouldn't be a massive undertaking to make another available.

Is there any word on the Devastator? It sure would be nice to have.

[TheDawg]

as mentioned, in full tick servers, it would be nice to stab the C key and take a quick look if nothing else. I see AI gunners start peeling the MG's around long before they touch off a round. I've used that to keep my eye to the sky-
As often as Ivan winds up screaming at me from the back seat of the IL2, why not some cockney dude yelling something about an intruder-

[jameson]

Dawg,
I think we'd stopped deporting cockneys to Oz by the start of ww2....