I managed to get to the National Archives today (for the first time in 30 years!) and accessed 1690 BDTF’s ORB. It contains very few references to the aircraft used, except for the following interesting paragraph

“In accordance with instructions received from Headquarters Bomber Command, consequent upon the reduction of the establishment of the aircraft of the Flight, disposal instructions were asked for 8 Spitfire aircraft, 6 Martinet aircraft and 1 Tiger Moth. By the end of the month disposal instructions had been received in respect of 8 Spitfire aircraft, 2 Martinet aircraft and 1 Tiger Moth. The number of aircraft held on charge at the end of the month was 12 Hurricanes, 3 Spitfires, 1 Tiger Moth, 8 Martinets.”

Can anyone make any suggestions as to the likely identity of any of these aircraft please? Any suggestions, including further avenues of research would be very welcome. Thanks in advance. Andrew

Well, after a bit of poking about on the internet, it seems that two of the Spitfires that may have been atached to the unit were both named ‘gifts of war presentation aircraft’, and were Spitfire IIa P8177, named “North Borneo II” and Spitfire IIa/b P8503 named “Sky Scraper”. I wonder if anyone knows any more about them?

I also wonder if the Tiger Moth was the one that was previously flown by Gp Captain ‘Bill’ McKecknie, the Station Commander who was killed in action on 11 November 1943? Again -any information would be welcomed.

I’m hoping to visit the NA at Kew by the end of the month and, if I do, will look up Moggy’s reference. Thanks again to all.

I believe that the unit used a wide range of aircraft types. Surely someone on here knows something about it?

Cheers John – success at last! Do you have any idea which aircraft they were?