The second in a successful trio of twin engined aircraft designed by the Bristol Aeroplane Company during the 1930s, the Beaufort is significant as the only monoplane produced for the Royal Air Force designed from the outset as a torpedo bomber and reconnaissance platform. Developed from the Blenheim light bomber, the Beaufort was ordered off the drawing board by the Air Ministry, a move which showed great faith in the Bristol Company whilst illustrating the RAF's urgent need for an effective torpedo bomber at the same time.