With the Fall of France, Bell Model-15Bs were diverted to the UK and brought up to British standards. The Bell Model-15F Belleau became the Bellona in RAF service. [1] Despite desperate need, the Bellona was not issued as a day fighter. Instead, the Allison's low-altitude rating restricted the Model-15s to use by Army Co-operation squadrons.
Most of the RAF Bells were Bellona Mk.I and Mk.Ia types which flew reconnaissance duties with the Army Co-operation squadrons. The AC squadrons also received a small number of Bellona Mk.IIs - an 'Anglicized' Model-15F3 'Bouleuse' - armed with twin, underwing 20mm Hispano-Suiza cannons. [2]
The first Bellonas joined Lysanders of No.26 Squadron which went to RAF Lympne upon their return from France. Understrength due to combat losses, No.26 was reinforced by Free French aircrew from No. 1 School of Army Cooperation at Old Sarum. One such pilot was Adjudant HJ Bouquillard who joined No.26 from No. 41 OTU. Flying the Bellona Mk.II, Adj. Bouquillard helped pioneer what would later become know as 'Rhubarb' missions over northern France.
(Top) Bellona Mk.II BE748 of No.26 Sqn. This aircraft was hit by FlaK while 'barge busting' in the Port of Boulogne. Henri Bouquillard was killed when his fighter came down in the outskirts of Boulogne-sur-Mer.
It was not until Spring of 1941 that Bell received its first 'short reduction-gear' Allison, the 1,150 hp V-1710-F3R. Installed in a Model-15B4 airframe, this combination was offered to the RAF as the Model-16B1. This was accepted by the British as the Bell Bellicose. Under Lend-Lease, the Model-16 had first to be taken into US service. Accordingly, the prototype was tested by the US Army Air Corp in May 1941 as the XP-45A. [3]
(Bottom) The prototype XP-45 (Model 16U) performing USAAC flight testing at Wright Field, late May 1941.
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[1] The name was taken from Bellona (aka Duellona), the Roman Goddess of War.
[2] The majority of Model-15F3 were still being built. These aircraft were completed as Bellona Mk.III photo-recce aircraft armed with only the two cowl machine guns.
[3] The Bell Model-15B2 had already been briefly evaluated by the Air Corps as the XP-45.
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