The pilots that flew the PR missions was this there only job or did they also fly the fighters in combat?
Aircrew belonging to RAF photo recce units were engaged solely in photo recce operations. Some may have had previous experience as fighter pilots but this was uncommon. In the early days of the PRU fighter pilots were frowned upon as they weren’t considered to have the requisite blind flying and navigation skills, or the correct temprement. Most pilots came from the RAF’s Lysander, Blenheim and Battle squadrons. It wasn’t until 1941 that pilots straight out of training could be posted direct to 1 PRU where they received in house operational training. Many aircrew spent all their operational flying careers serving with photo recce units, others went on to serve in other roles (Met Recce, GR, fighter, transport etc).
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