Bristol Beaufighter Walkaround Gallery

Bristol Beaufighter A8-39 RAAF ANAM 2016

Here is a Beaufighter walkaround of the centrepiece of the Moorabbin museum. The ANAM (Australian National Aviation Museum) and AARG (Australian Aircraft Restoration Group) were created initially to preserve this particular aircraft and it has grown from there to be quite a significant collection. The RAAF has operated a total of 581 Beaufighters. Of these, 217 were English built and the other 364 DAP (Department of Aircrft Production) built in Australia. This particular airframe, A8-328, an Australian-built example, was constructed at the end of the Second World War. It saw extensive service as a target tug from 1945-1956. It was then donated to The Lord Mayor’s Children’s Camp at Portsea and was played on for many years before being donated to ANAM in 1962. It has been painted to represent a Beaufighter from 31 Squadron, A8-39, as a tribute to those who served.