AA31928 Supermarine Spitfire Type PR Mark IB -CORGI - 1:72
No. 212 Squadron was formed on August 20, 1918, based at the seaplane station at Great Yarmouth. It carried out antisubmarine patrols for the rest of the war and disbanded in February 1920. On February 10, 1940, No. 212 re-formed at Heston to carry out strategic photographic reconnaissance duties in France, working closely with the Photographic Development Unit.
On 10 February 1940, No.212 reformed at Heston to carry out strategic photographic reconnaissance duties in France working closely with the Photographic Development Unit. It was intended to have three detachments each of three Spitfires but in the absence of sufficient camera-equipped Spitfires, No.212 was equipped with Blenheims. After flying some operational missions, the detachment in France was forced to evacuate its base on 14 June 1940, and the squadron was absorbed by the Photographic Development Unit on 18 June 1940. which was re-designated the Photographic Reconnaissance Unit on 8 July.
WW2 - Photo Reconnaissance During the First World War, photo reconnaissance was one of the early uses of the airplane. Before the Second World War the conventional wisdom was to use converted bomber types for airborne photo reconnaissance. These bombers retained their defensive armament, which was vital since they were unable to avoid interception. In 1939 Flying Officer Maurice Longbottom of the RAF was among the first to suggest that airborne reconnaissance may be a task better suited to fast, small aircraft which would use their speed and high service ceiling to avoid detection and interception.
MILITARY AIRCRAFT 
