The PR.1 answered a post-war need: to map whole territories from the air. All armament and turrets were removed, the nose was reconfigured and a camera installed in the bomb bay; the aircraft were painted silver.
During the war it was flown by Nos. 82 and 541 Squadrons. Between 1947 and 1948 No. 82 Squadron used it to survey central and east Africa, and at least one example was operated by the Ministry of Aviation. No. 683 Squadron, re-formed in November 1950, flew it on photographic reconnaissance and mapping from Fayid in Egypt, then from Kabrit from February 1951 and finally from Habbaniya in Iraq, until the unit disbanded on 30 November 1953.