RAF Bomber Command code?

[Parabellum]

Hi all,

Just wondering if RAF Bomber Command ever used the IK code, especially on Bristol Blenheim?
Regards,

[Graham Boak]

Unit codes involving the letter I were only used very late in the war, to avoid confusion with the figure 1 in reporting. IK was used by the Bomber Command Instructor's School between 1944 and 1946, and is recorded on a Halifax. That's a bit late for a Blenheim.

[Parabellum]

Thank you for answer, Graham.
I'm still wondering, regarding this old ebay auction photography.
If not IK code on this Blenheim, which code could it be?

[wwrsimon]

Is it not MK for 500 Sqn:

http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn500-520.htm

[bill norman]

I would say MK - 500 Sqdn

[Larry]

It's obviously a captured example in German hands. Some idea of the date could help track down the aircraft serial number and provide more details.

By the shape of the roundal I would say the photo dates from 1940-1941 but this can be narrowed down a bit further, as my records show 500 Sqn used the Blenheim Mk IV from April 1941 to November 1941.

Also as 500 Sqn was in Coastal Command so I tried looking for a Blenheim loss in RAF Coastal Command Losses 1939-41 Vol 1

On page 154 it says Z6163 went missing over Northern France on 28th Sept 1941 but gives no further details or list of any deaths.

By chance this is the only Blenheim listed as lost on ops with 500 Sqn where the crew might have survived - as the fate of nearly all the other crews lost on ops in 1941 was to be lost without trace, with no known graves and be remembered on the Runnymeade Memorial.

So it just might be Blenheim Z6163 that landed with technical problems or low on fuel.

BTW - The individual code would appear to be L making it MK-L

[Parabellum]

Hi Larry,

After looking at a 2nd one old ebay photography of seemingly the same aircraft, I would say the individual code is indeed MK°U and not MK°L
Anything concerning the loss of MK°U in 1941 and the serial of this Coastal Command Blenheim?

[Amrit1]

You maybe interested in an old thread:

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=12399

[Parabellum]

Thanks for pointing at this old thread Amrit1 !

[Larry]

Its gratifying to know I came to the same conclusion - but also a point to remember for new and old members is to try a search of this forum using Sqn number, code letters and serial number to see what else may have been discussed on a subject before we got round to it!