Page "Military history of New Zealand during World War II" Paragraph 66

The Royal Air Force deliberately set aside certain squadrons for pilots from particular countries.

The first of these, 75 Squadron, comprised the Wellingtons and pilots lent by New Zealand in August 1939, which later flew Short Stirlings, Avro Lancasters and Avro Lincolns.

Other New Zealand squadrons within the RAF included 485, which flew Supermarine Spitfires throughout the war, 486, ( Hawker Hurricanes, Hawker Typhoons and Hawker Tempests ), 487, ( Lockheed Venturas and De Havilland Mosquitoes ), 488, ( Brewster Buffaloes, Hawker Hurricanes, Bristol Beaufighters and De Havilland Mosquitoes ), 489, ( Bristol Blenheims, Bristol Beauforts, Handley Page Hampdens, Bristol Beaufighters, and De Havilland Mosquitoes ), and 490, ( Consolidated Catalinas and Short Sunderlands ).