BLACKBURN B-5 BAFFIN - The Blackburn Baffin was evolved under the direction of Major F A Bumpus in 1932 as a ver-sion of the earlier Ripon torpedo bomber, with a 545 hp Pegasus I.MS engine. Armament of the two-seat Blackburn Baffin comprised one fixed forward-firing 0.303-in (7.7-mm) Vickers gun and one free-mounted Lewis gun in rear cockpit, plus one 2,000-lb (908-kg) bomb or 1,576-lb (716-kg) Mk VIII or Mk IX torpedo or three 530-lb (241-kg) or six 250-lb (114-kg) bombs. Starting in 1937, a total of 29 Blackburn Baffins, with 565 hp Pegasus I.M3 or 580 hp Pegasus II.M3 engines, was acquired ex-RAF service by the RNZAF and used to equip the newly-formed Territorial Squadrons at Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland, all of which were fully operational by September 1939. First operations November 16, 1939. The Blackburn Baffin squadrons were merged in March 1940 as the NZ General Reconnaissance Squadron, renamed No 1 GR Squadron in 1941 when half the Baffms were transferred to No 3 GR Squadron.

Max speed, 125 mph (201 km/h) at sea level and 136 mph (219 km/h) at 6,500 ft (1,981 m). Initial rate of climb, 480 ft/min (2.44 mlsec). Service ceiling, 15,000 ft (4,572 m). Endurance, 4'/2hr. Gross weight, 7,610 Ib (3,455 kg}. Span, 45 ft 6'/2 in (13.87 m). Length, 38 ft 3'/4 in (11.67 m). Wing area, 649sqft (60.29m2).