The initial tests of the AI radar were initially discouraging as the radar operator had difficulties to discern the target on the radar screen as it was hazy and misleading, which made calculations of its position in regards to the other aircraft's almost impossible. Even when the target appeared loud and clearly on screen, the margin error in height and direction was considerable. However, development on the AI radar continued and by late 1940 and 1941 most of those faults were solved.
The first successful interception by a radar-equipped Blenheim Mk.IF took place on the night between the 2nd and 3rd July when an Mk.IF of the Fighter Interception Unit (FIU) based at RAF Ford, in Sussex, shot down a German Dornier Do.17Z bomber. However, the efficiency of night-fighter operations with the Blenheim were the exception instead of the rule. The Blenheim simply wasn't fast enough to make more than one pass on its target and its machine guns were, in most cases, insufficient to destroy an enemy bomber on a single pass.
During late summer 1940 the Bristol Beaufighter was developed for the night fighter role and during autumn/winter it began to replace the Blenheim as a radar-equipped night fighter. By May 1941 the last Blenheim Mk.IF unit, No 68 Squadron had replaced its Blenheims with Beaufighters putting an end to the Blenheim as a night-fighter. Given their replacement as night fighters and their radars, many were used for night intruder operations over France attacking German bomber bases at night.
In the Far-East Theatre of Operations, the Blenheim Mk.IF was used by just one squadron, No 27. No 27 was equipped with Mk.IFs in early 1941 and was rebased from India to Singapore, where it was decimated during the Battle of Malaya in early 1942 after flying few sorties. This squadron replaced their Blenheims with Beaufighters.
In the North African Theatre, the No 30 Squadron was based in the Suez Channel Zone during June 1940 and was used as a mixed fighter-bomber squadron. This squadron was later rebased to Greece where it took part in the Greco-Italian War until May 1941 when, after the German intervention, it was rebased to Crete. There this unit was involved in the aerial defense of the Mediterranean island and later replaced its airplanes with Hawker Hurricanes.
Nine more squadrons were equipped with the Blenheim Mk.IF between 1939 and 1940. However, by mid-1940 most of them had them replaced by more modern aircraft, with the exception of No 219 Squadron, which kept their Blenheim active for many months when every other squadron had replaced their Blenheims.
The Bristol Bisley (named after the shooting competitions held at Bisley, Surrey, was a ground attack conceived variant. This was equipped with a solid nose containing four more Browning machine guns. The Bisley featured additional armour protection and a modified dorsal turret to fit two Browning machine gun and allow for a 360º angle of fire. The first prototype flew for the first time on 24th February 1941 and was followed by a second prototype. This would eventually be the prototype for the Blenheim Mk.V as, after testing, high level bombing for the Blenheim was preferred.
Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Blenheim
2. Signal Squadron - Aircraft In action 88 - Bristol Blenheim in Action
3. Hall Park Books - Warpaint 26 - Bristol Blenheim
4.Osprey Publishing - Combat Aircraft 5 - Blenheim Squadrons of World War 2
5. https://www.baesystems.com/en/heritage/bristol-160-blenheim-v-and-bisley
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