The Bristol-developed Blenheim IV adopted by RCAF for coastal reconnaissance, with original British name retained, and licence for production obtained by Fairchild Aircraft Ltd at Longueuil, Quebec. Bristol Bolingbroke prototype K7072 first flew in Britain on September 24, 1937, later shipped to Canada.

Late in 1939 when the first Bristol "Bolingbroke" was delivered to the RCAF, a Flight was formed at Uplands to train crews of No. 8 (B.R.) Squadron. The Flight later moved to Moncton, N.B., in the Spring of 1940 to train crews of No. 119 (B.R.) Squadron. The latter unit began operations on "Bolys" in July of 1940 and flew them from the east coast bases for almost two years. No. 8 (B.R.) Squadron also operated Bolingbrokes from east coast bases from December of 1940 until they were flown to Vancouver to strengthen Canada's Pacific coast defences after Japan's entrance into the war and in reply to an American appeal for assistance, Canada sent No. 8 (Bomber) Squadron, and Nos. 111 and 118 (Fighter) Squadrons to Annette Island in the Aleutians.

The major use of the Bolingbroke was in Western Air Command where, in addition to No. 8 Squadron based at Sea Island and later Anchorage, Alaska, the type was used to equip four bomber-reconnaissance squadrons -- Nos. 115, 147, 149, and 163. In addition to its operational use on coastal patrols, the Bolingbroke also saw extensive service in training schools, target-towing, calibration and composite units.

Bolingbrokes of Eastern Air Command made three attacks on enemy submarines. In Western Air Command, a Bolingbroke crew of No. 115 was credited with a share in the destruction of a Japanese submarine in July of 1942.