[Graham Boak]

X8447 did not exist, so your suggestion of V8447 makes sense. V8447 was a Beaufighter MK.VIF of 89 Sq in North West Africa.

If 89 was a night fighter squadron, then it would be unlikely to be in the maritime colours, and more likely to be in the night fighter Medium Sea Grey overall with Dark Green disruptive pattern on the upper surfaces. This is what is shown in the Osprey, but with the Night undersides that officially belonged on night intruders. Photos of Beaufighters in this theatre in the Osprey (including one thought to be V8447) show this scheme with light undersides. I grant you that this could be argued in the case of the crashed V8447, but the part of the belly visible under the trailing edge of the wing appears lighter than the Dark Green above.

I have seen a Beaufighter colour photo in DE/MS/Night but can't confirm where - it may however have been a model. The Osprey does have a photo of a 46 Sq night fighter in what appears to be the desert scheme with black undersides, but this is almost two years later and on the opposite end of the Mediterranean.