1 PRU[2][7] at RAF Leuchars as a photoreconnaissance unit with the de Havilland Mosquito.

Another detachment, based at RAF Gibraltar covered the south of France and Algeria, but from 1944 on the unit was wholly based at RAF Benson, the range of the later Mosquito permitting missions deep in Austria or to the Canary Islands.

In December 1952 these gave way to English Electric Canberras, the last Mosquito leaving in September 1953.

By that time the squadron had moved to RAF Wyton, where the unit disbanded on 31 March 1956.

[3][6] In 1953 the squadron formed a "NZ Air Race Flight" to train and carry out the RAF participation in the 1953 London to Christchurch air race, Flight Lieutenant Monty Burton won the race in Canberra PR3 WE139 now on public display at the Royal Air Force Museum.