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Bolton Paul Defiant

I have quite a lot of info on it, but the pictures are just too small, and not high res enough to make the wording out, frustrating! thanks anyhow Jim, I'm still interested in seeing your other pics.
 
John, there's a few more photos on the Medway preservation site, though nothing of what were looking for it's fascinating stuff!

http://www.mapsl.co.uk/

The Boulton Paul Association site is down, I've yet to contact them again but I'm sure they will know something.

ps. I've recently found some old emails from the BPA and it's possible that the Hendon aircraft is not what it seems, there are rumours it was an ex TT model converted back to a turret type for other trials later in the war. Some of it is hybrid, it has TT canopy parts for example so is best not used as a sole data source. It does make for interesting research though. :)
 
Here You go John, A bit small to be of any use i think, Been thinking the turret was used in other aircraftas well, maybe you could source some info from other aircraft. Just been reading about the turret gunner in a defiant, Here are a couple of snippets for those who are interested,



"If the gunner was killed it was supposed to be his last desparing action to turn the guns forward and elevate
them 19 degrees.This cleared the prop and he could transfer the firing mechanism to the pilot by a switch.
No one ever explained to the pilot how he was supposed to aim them though."


"As well as the dying gunner having to train and switch the guns,if the situation were reversed,the dying pilot
had to lower the undercarriage before expiring!,This was because the rear VHF aerial was in the belly and retracted
automatically when the wheels were lowered,if still extended it speared the gunner as he exited by the
bottom hatch!!"


"Due to the confined space of the turret,the gunner was not able to wear a conventional parachute,
Space was avalable in the rear of the fusalage to store the gunners parachute,but there was little possibility
that the gunner could leave the turret,put on the parachute and still manage to exit with this through the escape
hatch in the floor of the fuselage."
 
"Due to the confined space of the turret,the gunner was not able to wear a conventional parachute,
Space was avalable in the rear of the fusalage to store the gunners parachute,but there was little possibility
that the gunner could leave the turret,put on the parachute and still manage to exit with this through the escape
hatch in the floor of the fuselage."
Click to expand...

What are you reading Jaycee? Be very interested to know! :) All the info I've got states that the Defiant gunners wore a special para-suit. Also, the turret did have an emergency exit underneath but it was almost impossible to get out of with the suit on so they had to swing the turret to one side and get out through the back of it.

Btw There's a fascinating account of what it was like to be a Defiant pilot in his book 'The Sky Suspended' by Jim Bailey
 
Pat Pattle said:
What are you reading Jaycee? Be very interested to know! :) All the info I've got states that the Defiant gunners wore a special para-suit. Also, the turret did have an emergency exit underneath but it was almost impossible to get out of with the suit on so they had to swing the turret to one side and get out through the back of it.

Btw There's a fascinating account of what it was like to be a Defiant pilot in his book 'The Sky Suspended' by Jim Bailey
Click to expand...

Hi Pat, the book is "The Boulton Paul Defiant" By Mark Ansell, And you are correct, they got a special para suit later, not sure when this was issued. Not trying to misslead anyone here just thought it was interesting, Even after all these years reading about WWII, I still get Amazed every now and then when reading something like this, About the bravery and heroism of these people. I am reading just now "Stirlings in combat" I am trying to make my mind up if this was a good aircraft or a bad aircraft,
The people who have just walked under a stirling, only for the undercarraige to collapse, seconds later!!!.
 
Lol, I have that book, perhaps I should try reading it again!:icon_lol:

Not trying to misslead anyone here just thought it was interesting,
Click to expand...
Never thought you were old chap! :) As you say, interesting stuff indeed!

Not sure about the Stirling either, when you read the various crew accounts they all have strong opions as to which of the 3 heavies was the better.
 
Thanks gents, interesting stuff, then again this aircraft is very interesting anyhow, the more you read about it, the more quirks you find out! : )

Locking the guns forward, would explain the firing button on the pilots control column Clive, that had me a little confused! lol

Never understood, apart from the weight issues, why it was never fitted with wing mounted guns, surely the powerplant could have been uprated to compensate?

The Martin Baltimore was fitted with this turret, to name one, but I've Googled till my fingers have bled, I can't find enything of good use of what I need! LOL

Seems it had some good success at first, must have been a shock to the first German pilots that came up against it, pulling on to a fighters tail, then getting shot down?
However the Germans soon realized that the guns couldn't be pointed down, so they just shot the Defiant in the belly, with great success, this resulted in the Defiant beeing pulled from daytime duties, and the nightfighter version was born.
 
About the turret,
Early British versions of the Consolidated LB-30/ B-24 (I think mainly Liberator II`s) were fitted with it as were later versions of the Halifax from the later series Mk II`s onward.
 
Here's the latest, including turret, still can't find enough info on that, I've gone as far as I can with it, of coarse if more info turns up I will add it!

Getting close now!:mixedsmi:







 
I think we have a new best pit ever candidate - and it takes a lot to better Gerard's Bf109e in MAW, imo. Stunning work! :medals::medals::medals:
 
hairyspin said:
I think we have a new best pit ever candidate - and it takes a lot to better Gerard's Bf109e in MAW, imo. Stunning work! :medals::medals::medals:
Click to expand...

That's ok, I painted that one too! :d
I'm very proud of the Emil pit, the model detail was fantastic to work with!
 
My God John, look at those shadows! Needless to say yours is a true work of art. I'm really impressed!

And yes, Gerard was THE ONE, but your texture would make a piece of crap look terribly good!:applause:

And I keep forgetting to send the Stuka over......
 
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