Boulton Paul Defiant




YouTube – Bouton Paul Defiant

Specifications
Primary Function:
Crew:
Engines:
Power:
Weight Empty:
Max. Weight:
Machine Guns:
Length:
Wingspan:
Cruise Speed:
Max. Speed:
Initial Climb:
Ceiling:
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First Flight:
Year Deployed:
night fighter
two
RR Merlin XX
1,280 h.p.
6,280 lbs.
8,420 lbs.
4- 7.7 mm
35 ft. 4 in.
39 ft. 4 in.
250 mph
315 mph
1,900 fpm
30,350 feet
465 miles
8/11/37
1940

Boulton Paul Defiant
Boulton Paul Defiant
The Boulton Paul Defiant was the first British fighter aircraft with more than two machine guns.It had a unique placement of its four 7.7 mm machine guns.  Rather than being placed in a fixed position firing forward, the machine guns were placed in a turret behind the pilot in the rear of the canopy. This was similar to the turret on top of bomber aircraft.

The fighter achieved some initial success when first encountering enemy fighters. However, fighter aircraft were quick to exploit a weakness in the placement of the turret. It was that they could not be fired upon when attacking from in front of and below the aircraft. Also, the speed and maneuverability of the Boulton Paul Defiant was not equal to that of modern fighter aircraft. Defiant aircraft were not capable of besting the latest fighters of the Luftwaffe.

However, the Boulton Paul Defiant achieved a good deal of success when equipped with radar and used as a night fighter. It went on to become the most successful British night fighter of World War II. Eventually it equipped thirteen RAF squadrons.

A total of 1,064 Boulton Paul Defiant aircraft were produced.

RC Defiant

RC Boulton Paul Defiant

The RC Boulton Paul Defiant from Chris Golds Plans has wings which span a total of 72 in. The fuselage is 66 in long. Construction is mostly wood with some blue foam.  Included are retracts and flaps.  You may use a 1400 Watt motor for power.
OuterZone has plans by Dan Reiss for a RC Boulton Paul Defiant with a 60 in. wingspan.  Recommended power for the all wood RC airplane is a Veco 61 engine.
The Aug. 24, 2015 issue of RC Modeler magazine has an article with plans for a RC Boulton Paul Defiant.  It has a 73 in. wingspan and is 67 in long.  Construction is all wood.  A two stroke 1.06 engine is recommended to pull its approximately 13 lb. all up weight through the air.



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