RAF sqn codes changes

[stefaan]

Hi from S Africa
Can anybody tell me where I can find orders that stipulated RAF sqn codes changes.
I am doing research on 15 SAAF sqn that was part of 201 naval Co-op Group in the DAF.
There were 4 changes from my research ie
Blenheim Mk IV's Alphabetical till about 8/42.
Bisleys with BA-BZ codes till about end 9/42
They then reverted to ZP codes till replaced with Baltimores May 43 onwards
with Alphabetical codes again.
I am looking for the orders and their dates that caused these changes
Thanks in advance
Stefaan Bouwer

[Blenheim]

Dear Steffaan,

Not too certain about which codes worn when but I believe 15 Squadron SAAF wore the code ZP on their Blenheim Vs from around July 1942 for about a year. Prior to that they don't seem to have worn a unit code, only individual aircraft letters. Hope this is of assistance.

All the best,

[Graham Boak]

Can I wonder if the BA-BZ "codes" on the Bisleys (Blenheim Mk.Vs) could simply be the serial prefix, rather than the unit/individual codes?

[stefaan]

Hi Graham.
No it is not serials.
I have seen a number of sortie reports that shows these codes + a serial no as well.
I have 11 of these codes linked to serials but am desperately looking for the others.
I am busy on a book on all the 15 sqn SAAF a/c and this era and the Mk IV's with
alphabetical only codes is a problem.
Our archives do not have any sortie reports for Fed 42 till Aug 42.
I do not have any gen on how many MK V's there were on strength at the BA-BZ time.
It looks like these codes were used between July till Sept 42 and I am sure the single coded Mk IV, BA-BZ codes till Sept was changed by Air Ministry orders but cannot find them or there dates.
Stefaan Bouwer