Beaufighter Mk IV T3177 at Hucknall in 1943
Operated by B-Flight of the Armament Test Squadron, and used by Rolls Royce for flight tests of the Griffon IIB engine. In July 1943. Note the four-bladed propellers.
T3177 was utilized as a flying test bed to evaluate the Rolls Royce Griffon engine’s capabilities. The initial performance of the Beaufighters, which were equipped with the Hercules engine, did not meet the anticipated standards. This led the Air Ministry to take urgent action and consider installing the Griffon engine. However, the Bristol Hercules radial engine was later enhanced, and only a handful of Beaufighters were ultimately outfitted with the Griffon engine.