Corgi 1/72 AA28604 Bristol Beaufighter TF.X - LZ451 / EE-M The Ancient Mariner

Flying some of the most dangerous strike missions of the Second World War, the Bristol Beaufighters of the Dallachy Strike Wing were charged with a maritime battle that simply had to be won. Denying Germany access to the valuable raw materials she needed to feed her war industries, these aircraft were sent to attack Axis shipping, attempting to sail the length of the Norwegian coast to Germany. They became so proficient in their work that the ships were unable to sail during daylight hours. Instead, they would fjord hop under the cover of darkness, and seek the protection offered by the steep fjord cliffs, and heavy flak batteries by day. Once detected, however, the Dallachy Beaufighters would immediately attack, using tactics perfected to avoid the potential for collision, or aircraft loss due to friendly fire during these frenzied attacks. Battling against hostile terrain, murderous anti-aircraft defences and vast expanses of ocean, these missions required the resolve of a special breed of airmen and aircraft tough enough to cope with such demanding conditions. After providing strike cover in the run-up to and during D-Day, No.404 ‘Buffalo’ Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force returned to Scotland and RAF Dallachy in October 1944. There, they continued their fight against Axis shipping off the Norwegian coast, becoming one of the most effective anti-shipping strike units of the Second World War.