Boulton Paul Defiant
Boulton Paul Aircraft · United Kingdom · first flew 1937 · fighter
The Boulton Paul Defiant was a two-seat British turret fighter of World War II, designed around a four-gun hydraulically powered dorsal turret with no fixed forward armament. Its unusual concept achieved early successes before opponents learned to attack from below.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 10.77 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Four-gun power turret behind cockpit — no forward guns
- Single Merlin engine, low-wing monoplane
- Two-seat fighter with distinctive dorsal turret bulge
Unmistakable among RAF fighters by its large, blunt-nosed dorsal turret immediately aft of the cockpit, giving the fuselage a characteristic humped profile with no guns visible on the wings or nose.
Specifications
- The Boulton Paul Defiant has a length of 10.77 m (35 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.99 m (39 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 489 km/h (304 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flying in 1937, the Defiant entered service in 1940 and scored notable kills during the Dunkirk evacuation before Luftwaffe pilots discovered its blind spot beneath the nose. After suffering heavy losses in daylight combat, it was transferred to night-fighter duties, where it performed well through 1941–42. It later served in air-sea rescue and target-towing roles.
Variants
The Mk I used a Merlin III; the Mk II introduced the Merlin XX with a two-stage supercharger for improved high-altitude performance. The TT Mk III was the main target-tug variant.
Where you'll see it
Served with the RAF throughout the Battle of Britain and subsequent night-fighter campaigns over Britain; also used by No. 2 Air Observer School and various training units.
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