In 1952 that was a _very_ good interceptor for defense of Canada from bombers. Fast climb, fast speed for the day, long range. Canada had a very good aircraft industry and still does. But its a fact we put them under tremendous pressure to buy US products when NORAD was the thing.
Had a beer with a guy in the 1990’s that said he served as a mechanic in the RCAF in the 1950’s. He worked on Bristol Beaufighters. Was amazed I knew they had sleeve-valve engines. Said they would try to use them as interceptors for Soviet recon planes that had twice the speed (TU-95 Bears?). Didn’t work out too well.
So yeah, the Clunks were probably a big improvement.