Why naval radio telegraphy needed another crew member

Did the Danecock carry a radio?

Probably not, although the descriptions consulted did not settle the point. Contemporary naval radio telegraphy usually required another crew member.

The available descriptions do not establish whether the Danecock carried a radio, although it probably did not. Radio telegraphy required someone to send and receive Morse messages, which helps explain the additional crew position in British naval aircraft. Observers trained in telegraphy and air gunnery as well as observation. Telegraphist air gunners followed related training without the observer component.