Curtiss Tomahawk Mk.II
No.1686 Bomber (Defence) Training Flight

P-40 Tomahawk MkIIB AK128 BT-H, was an aircraft of No.1686 Bomber (Defence) Training Flight at RAF Hixon in Staffordshire attached to 30 OTU (Operational Training Unit), in 1942. 30 OTU was part of No. 93 Group RAF Bomber Command.

No.1686 Training Flight were equipped with P-40 Tomahawk aircraft formerly used by No. 112 Squadron in North Africa and it is suggested that this is why they retained their distinctive Sharks Teeth markings. The aircraft of this unit were required to fly simulated fighter attacks against Wellington bombers, of 30 OTU, so that the turret operators could practice against fighter attack whilst airborne.

This rather distinctive Tomahawk was involved in a taxiing accident at RAF Hixon on 23rd December 1943, when RNZAF pilot F/Lt L.M. Ralph inadvertently struck a fuel bowser whilst heading either too or from the main runway at the airfield. Whilst he escaped the incident without sustaining serious injury, his aircraft was less fortunate and being classified as beyond economical repair, was immediately scrapped.