[MW Giles]

The photoflash was 4.5 inches in diameter and was released downwards from the aircraft's flare chute automatically with the first bomb. It was pre-set on the ground to go off at 0.6 of the aircraft's intended bombing height - for an aircraft at 10,000ft it would go off at 6,000ft.

I suspect that the balloon object in the photo is a canvas screen placed around the nose turret to block out unwanted drafts and light. The nose guns were not normally used at night.

I know you don't want to be corrected but the RAF didn't (still doesn't) use 1 st, 2nd, 3rd etc suffixes for its units. Wouldn't want to be mistaken for a yank.


Regards

Martin