The history of Britain's military aviation is liberally dotted with examples of individual aircraft firms producing fine, sometimes outstanding aircraft as private ventures initially, before officialdom has expressed either interest or even encouragement in the development of the designs. Such private enterprise was responsible for splendid aircraft like the DH Mosquito and the Hawker Hurricane, to name but two examples. Another war-winner produced originally as the brainchild of an individual was the Bristol Type 156 - the mighty Beaufighter.