Although only entering RAF service in 1937 by the outbreak of WW2 very few Blenheim 1s remained in service with UK-based bomber squadrons, most having been superseded in the bomber role by the much improved MkIV. However the Mk1 continued in service as conversion and crew trainers with OTUs. However of far more significance were around 200 Mk1s that were converted to night fighters carrying the brand new AI (airborne Interception) radar. Similar in overall outline to the standard Mk1 bomber, the night fighter carried an additional under-fuselage pack housing four forward firing 0.303 machine guns. It was such equipped Mk1Fs that scored the first successful AI interception of enemy aircraft on the night of 2-3 July 1940. Blenheim Mk1F, L1327, based at RAF Digby in June 1940, looks remarkably similar to a standard Blenheim bomber apart from the ventral gun pack. It wasn’t until December 1940 that the night fighters began to receive an overall black paint finish.
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