Why do bombers fly in formation?

Heavy bombers flew in formation because, that was the most effective tactics against the enemy flak and fighter defense. A ‘Buncher’ signal was emitted by a radion beacon around which the bombers would circle for an hour while every flight got into the air.

What plane shot down most in ww2?

The number 1 is no surprise: the North American P-51 Mustang. Often and usually considered the best fighter of the war, the P-51 was a game-changer for Allied forces. Employed as a long-range bomber escort, the P-51 was unmatched by German planes, especially at high altitudes.

Which country had the best planes in ww2?

Overall probanly the US. In the first 3 or 4 yes though the British with the Spitfire and Lancaster. The Lancaster was considered to be superior to the US Superfortress. By the end of the war though the US had superior fighter aircraft and bombers.

How many American bomber crews died in ww2?

Bomber Command aircrews suffered a high casualty rate: of a total of 125,000 aircrew, 57,205 were killed (a 46 percent death rate), a further 8,403 were wounded in action and 9,838 became prisoners of war. Therefore, a total of 75,446 airmen (60 percent of operational airmen) were killed, wounded or taken prisoner.

What is V formation in military?

The Vic formation is a formation devised for military aircraft and first used during the First World War. It has three or sometimes more aircraft fly in close formation with the leader at the apex and the rest of the flight en echelon to the left and the right, the whole resembling the letter “V”.

Is formation flying legal?

FAR §91.111, which governs operations near other airplanes, states that: “No person may operate an aircraft in formation flight except by arrangement with the pilot in command of each aircraft in the formation.” This minimum legal requirement for formation flight should be obvious, but apparently pilots have been …

Which ww2 fighter had the most kills?

While serving in Germany’s Luftwaffe in World War II, Erich Hartmann flew more than 1,400 missions in the Messerschmitt Bf 109, enabling him to score an astonishing 352 kills.

Who had best jets in WW2?

These Were The 10 Best Planes Of WW2

1. 1 De Havilland Mosquito – Ultimate Multi-Role Aircraft.
2. 2 North American P51 Mustang – Best Allied Fighter.
3. 3 Avro Lancaster – Best Heavy Bomber.
4. 4 Supermarine Spitfire – Best British Fighter.
5. 5 Boeing B29 Superfortress – Best Long-Range Bomber.
6. 6 Focke-Wulf FW-190 – Best Fighter.

What was Bomber Command in ww2?

RAF Bomber Command

What was the life expectancy of a ww2 bomber crew?

It had a crew of seven from the pilot to the gunners. Everyone had to play their part to stay alive. The Lancaster was one of the most dangerous places to be in the entire war – the life expectancy of a new recruit was just two weeks.

Where can I read German flak defences vs Allied heavy bombers?

German Flak Defences Vs Allied Heavy Bombers is published by Osprey Publishing and is available to order here. Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs.

Why did flak damage planes in WW2?

Flak also damaged aircraft, causing them to slow down and lose altitude, making bombers easy pickings for marauding German fighters. As General Henry H. ‘Hap’ Arnold, the commanding general of the USAAF, remarked: ‘We never conquered the German flak artillery.’

Why didn’t the bombers fly straight when attacked?

But because the bombers could not maneuver when attacked by fighters, and needed to be flown straight and level during their final bomb run, individual aircraft struggled to fend off a direct attack.

How did air attacks evolve during World War II?

How Allied Air Attacks Evolved During World War II In October 1943, the U.S. Eighth Air Force’s losses became critical, forcing a reappraisal of the American daylight bombing Strategy. O n October 14, 1943, the air war over Europe reached a critical turning point.