Bristol Beaufighter
The British Bristol Beaufighter filled the need
for an effective USAAF night fighter until an effective U.S. aircraft
could be produced. These "reverse Lend-Lease" night fighters
served with the USAAF until the end of the war, although most were
replaced by the P-61 Black Widow beginning in December 1944.
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This aircraft was built under license by the Fairey Aviation Co.
in Stockport, England, and delivered to the Royal Australian Air
Force in 1942. It is marked as the USAAF Beaufighter flown by
Capt. Harold Augspurger, commander of the 415th Night Fighter
Squadron, who shot down an He 111 carrying German staff officers
in September 1944.
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