How many missions did bomber crews have to fly in ww2?
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How many missions did bomber crews have to fly in ww2?
25
Although crew members were required to fly a minimum of 25 combat missions before returning to the United States, some were called back to duty for another 25. However, others stayed behind to complete 30 missions to avoid having to return from the states for a second tour of duty.
How many fighters were shot down by bombers?
German records show that 66 fighters were lost. The Luftwaffe claimed that they shot down 108 bombers and 20 fighters.
How many bombers were shot down in WW2?
By type, losses totaled 21,452 fighters, 12,037 bombers, 15,428 trainers, 10,221 twin-engine fighters, 5,548 ground attack, 6,733 reconnaissance, and 6,141 transports.
How fast did WW2 bombers fly?
Technical Specifications
| First flight | July 28, 1935 (prototype) |
|---|---|
| Length | 74 feet 9 inches |
| Gross weight | 65,000 pounds |
| Top speed | 287 mph |
| Cruising speed | 150 mph |
Which WW2 plane had the most kills?
Within a very short span of just a couple of years, the F6F Hellcat claimed 75\% of all U.S. Navy air-to-air kills in the PTO. The Grumman F6F Hellcat claimed an impressive total of 5,168 victories.
How are aircraft kills confirmed?
The kill would need to be verified with microfilm footage or a witness. In the case of enlisted men, two witnesses were required to confirm that the enemy aircraft was downed or the pilot was seen bailing out. Confirmation of the crashed enemy aircraft would need to be confirmed by a combatant not known to the pilot.
What happened to the de Havilland Flak-Bait bomber?
Unfortunately, the de Havilland B Mk IX bomber crashed during a war-bond tour in Canada on May, 9, 1945, two days after VE Day. Today, Flak-Bait is undergoing preservation in the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar at the National Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.
What does a bomber pilot do?
The pilot is an important member of any bomber crew. He/she is primarily responsible for flying the aircraft, ensuring that it remains on course and does not crash into the ground during flight.
How did the American bomber survive the most missions in WW2?
Twice, the plane returned on only one engine and other times had her hydraulics shot out with damage done to the stabilizer and other key systems. Aptly named “Flak-Bait,” this aircraft, undergoing preservation, took everything the Germans could throw at her and became the American bomber to survive the most missions of World War II.
How many missions did the Flak-Bait fly?
All told, Flak-Bait flew 200 combat missions, plus six decoy operations, for a grand total of 206 flights. The only bomber to fly more missions was an RAF Mosquito known as F for Freddie, which made it 213 times over enemy territory.