Defiant to the last

摘要

When World War Two began in September 1939, Fighter Command had a new single-engined type about to enter service - the Defiant. Boulton Paul's creation was intended to supplement single-seat Hurricane and Spitfires as 'bomber-destroyers', but events were to prove that, in modern war, the 'turret-fighter' was a flawed concept. No.264 Squadron was formed in November 1939 at Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire, to introduce the Defiant, mainly with pilots fresh from training. Its first Defiant was delivered on December 5, and just two days later the unit moved to Martlesham Heath alongside the Aeroplane & Armament Experimental Establishment to expedite its entry into service.