Boulton Paul Defiants by Barry Price. [Print]

Aircraft Depicted: Bolton Paul Defiant [other products featuring this aircraft]

Artist: Barry Price [browse all Barry Price]

Image size 16 inches x 12 inches (41cm x 31cm)

On 8 December 1939 at Martlesham Heath, 264 Squadron was reformed and equipped with the new Boulton Paul Defiant fighter. In March 1940 the squadron started operations doing convoy patrols. After initial successes the Luftwaffe soon realised that the Defiant was vulnerable to frontal attack, and 264 Squadron along with the other Boulton Paul Defiant squadrons started to suffer heavy losses of aircraft and crew. At the end of May 1940, 264 Squadron was withdrawn from operations as a day-fighter squadron and began to train in the night-fighter role. During the Battle of Britain 264 Squadron was used again for day fighting but again suffered losses and returned to the night-fighter role.