HOME      Boulton Paul Defiant

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
 
The Boulton Paul Defiant was the first British fighter aircraft with more than two machine guns.
 
The Boulton Paul Defiant 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 in the Boulton Paul Defiant were placed in a turret behind the pilot in the rear of the canopy.  This was similar to the turrent on top of bomber aircraft.
 
The Boulton Paul Defiant achieved some initial success when first encountering enemy fighters. However, fighter aircraft were quick to exploit a weakness in the placement of the Boulton Paul Defiant turret.  That is 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.  Boulton Paul Defiant aircraft were not capable of besting the latest fighter aircraft of the Luftwaffe.
 
However, Boulton Paul Defiant aircraft achieved a good deal of success when equipped with radar and used as night fighter aircraft.  The Boulton Paul Defiant went on to become the most successful British night fighter aircraft of World War II.  Eventually thirteen RAF squadrons were equipped with Boulton Paul Defiant aircraft.
 
A total of 1,064 Boulton Paul Defiant aircraft were produced.
 
 

Specifications

        Primary Function:
        Crew:
        Engines:
        Power:
        Weight Empty:
        Max. Weight:
        Machine Guns:
        Length:  
        Wingspan:
        Cruise Speed:
        Max. Speed:
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        Ceiling:
        Range:
        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' 4"
39' 4"
250 mph
315 mph
1,900 fpm
30,350 feet
465 miles
8/11/37
1940
 
Radio Control Airplane

RC Airplane from Flyboy Models.
 
Radio Control Airplanes:
 
 
Immediately above is a picture of the Boulton Paul Defiant ARF RC Airplane by Flyboy Models.  The radio control airplane has wings which span a total of 61 1/2".  The fuselage of the Boulton Paul Defiant RC Airplane is 54" long.  You may use from a .61 to .75 two stroke or a .91 four stroke engine for your radio control airplane.  
 
Pictured immediately below is the Boulton Paul Defiant RC Airplane that was converted from a Free Flight kit by Guga of RC Groups.  The radio control airplane has a wing span of 44 and a length of 33".  Guga powers his RC Airplane with a CD ROM motor geared 5.3:1.  Guga uses a 10 x 4 propeller on his Boulton Paul Defiant radio control airplane.  
 
The next picture below is also of a Boulton Paul Defiant Free Flight kit that can be converted to a RC Airplane.  This free flight model airplane is from a balsa Easy Build Models kit.  The Boulton Paul Defiant Free Flight model has a wing span of 30" and is 1/16 scale.  
 
The bottom picture on this page is of the Boulton Paul Defiant ARF radio control airplane from YH Model.  The RC Airplane features a wing span of 73".  The fuselage of the Boulton Paul Defiant radio control airplane is 66 1/2" long.  The RC Airplane uses balsa and ply as the construction materials.  Recommended power for the Boulton Paul Defiant radio control airplane is a 1.20 four stroke engine.  
 
If you have built a Boulton Paul Defiant RC Airplane or can recommend a Boulton Paul Defiant radio control airplane plan, kit, or ARF, please email us.
 
 
Radio Control Airplane
RC Airplane built by Guga of RC Groups.
 
Radio Control Airplane

RC Airplane conversion from Easy Build.

Radio Control Airplane
  RC Airplane from YH Model.