1685 Bomber (Defence) Training Flight
Playing the Bad Guys
In modern-day terms, a BDTF might be referred to as an 'aggressor', 'adversary' or 'opfor' unit.
The BDTF's task was to provide realistic targets for trainee bomber crews. They would intercept
the bombers using various tactics, providing not only the gunners with a means of honing their
gunnery skills (albeit only with 'camera' guns) but also giving bomber crews as a whole the chance
to learn how to perform as a cohesive team in detecting and dealing with enemy fighters.
Sgt Pilot Ken Brain with Tomahawk I AH861 of 1685 BDTF at Ossington in March of 1944.
From: FLYPAST January 2001 -
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