Corgi AA39306 Aviation Archive

Corgi Aviation Archive series AA39306 replicates in 1/72 scale diecast the Boulton Paul Defiant Mk.I, serial number N1801, squadron code PS-Y. As flown by Desmond Hughes and gunner Sergeant F Nash of No. 264 Squadron, RAF, during night intruder operations, 1940-41.

Desmond Hughes

Frederick Desmond Hughes (1919-1992) DSO, DFC ( two bars), AFC, was a World War II night fighter ace of the Royal Air Force credited with 18 1/2 victories. He commanded No. 604 Squadron during the latter stages of the War and retired from the RAF in 1974 with the rank of Air Vice Marshal.

Boulton Paul Defiant Mk.I

The Boulton Paul Defiant Mk.I is a British tandem-seat, single-engine monoplane turreted interceptor aircraft that first flew on August 11, 1937, and entered service with No 264 Squadron RAF on December 25, 1939.

The Defiant was effective at destroying bombers, which was its primary role; however, its lack of maneuverability and absence of forward-firing guns made it vulnerable to day fighters. It did find success as a night fighter.

By 1942, the RAF began replacing the Defiant with the Bristol Beaufighter and de Havilland Mosquito. Subsequently, the Defiant served in various roles, including gunnery training, target towing, electronic countermeasures, and air-sea rescue.

Production of the Defiant ended in February 1943, with a total of 1,064 units built.

The aircraft was powered by a single Rolls-Royce Merlin III, a V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine driving a three-bladed propeller.

Its armament consisted of a hydraulically powered dorsal turret equipped with four machine guns.