Bristol Beaufort Mk VIII Bomber
Twin engine light bomber. Designed for performing torpedo attack, aerial bombing and general reconnaissance missions.
The Memorial's Beaufort Mk VIII A9-557 completed 103 operational missions while serving with 100 Squadron RAAF at Tadji, in New Guinea. Missions included bombing troop concentrations and hostile villages, the Wewak airstrip, fuel dumps, and bridges. It also conducted anti-submarine patrols and search and rescue missions for missing aircraft & ships. It recorded 146.5 hours of operational flying time and dropped a total of 146,000 lbs of bombs on enemy targets.
Beaufort conservation project
Beaufort A9-557 was acquired by the Memorial in 1992. Reconstruction of the aircraft is proceeding with the aid of parts found across Australia, and sections recovered from the USA and Papua New Guinea.
C. 1944. DURING WORLD WAR 2 PRACTICALLY ALL RIVETING ON BEAUFORT AIRCRAFT FUSELAGES WAS CARRIED OUT BY WOMEN.