Boulton Paul Defiant
The Boulton Paul Defiant aircraft was designed and built as a turret fighter, but since it didn’t have any forward-firing guns, it required immense concentration and precise communications skills between the pilot and the gunner. Because of its limiting nature, the Defiant had trouble excelling during day operations in the vicious air battles over the United Kingdom early in World War II, and its true potential was only realized when converted to a night fighter. This obstacle did not stop the so-called Daffy from making history during a routine afternoon in 1940, when it destroyed 37 German aircraft in two sorties, the highest score of any Royal Air Force squadron at the time. But despite its unusual gun arrangement, the Defiant mostly benefited from its similarity with another British fighter, giving it a significant advantage during relentless dogfights with the enemy. Still, the ruse wouldn’t last long, and the Defiants would soon need to step up their game…
Credit Dark Spies
