Built in Oct 1944, this aircraft was sent on 2 Nov 1944 to No. 19 Maintenance Unit at St. Athan. On 18 Mar 1945 the Beaufighter was ferried by No. 1 Ferry Unit to Lisbon for use by the Portuguese Naval Air Arm for maritime patrol. Operated by Esquadrilha B, it was renumbered BF-13 and was based at Portela Sacavém. Due to serviceability problems, Beaufighters remained in Portuguese service till 1949. In 1965 the aircraft was presented to the RAF for preservation, being transferred to RAFM Hendon in 1971.

Even just building Aifix models of the beaufighter as a kid I thought the type was menacing. Those huge engines meant it could carry a formidable armament turning the type into a very effective night-fighter or ground-attack aircraft. In total 5562 Beaufighters were built serving with 52 operational RAF Squadrons, indeed the last flight was not until 1960 at RAF Seletar. Although displayed with D-day stripes this airframe never flew with the RAF, rather served with the Portuguese Navy as BF-13.

The Beaufighter was one of the most significant British aircraft of the middle years of the Second World War. It was a very effective ground-attack aircraft and night fighter. After the War it was used by Coastal Command for shipping protection. This aircraft previously served with the Portuguese Navy as BF-13.

Hardly beautiful, the Beaufighter was developed from the Beaufort torpedo bomber. In WWII it was used at first as a night fighter at then as a long-range strike fighter, especially against Axis shipping.