Night Formation Flying

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Jerry Guest 3/14/2003 14:52:21	Subject: Night Formation Flying IP: Logged Message: I am a American novelist specializing at the moment on RAF night bombing sortees. I would like information about night formation flying on bombing runs, as well as night navigation from starting engines to landing. I am a instrument pilot so understand (today's) basic navigation.
Denis Guest 3/16/2003 04:36:00	RE: Night Formation Flying IP: Logged Message: As far as I am Aware, The RAF Night Bombers (we did bomb during the daytime too!)never flew in formation like the combat wings of the 8th USAAF. Instead the aircraft joined a stream that formed to the target, I do understand that this stream was several miles long, say target time was 0100, the aircraft would navigate individually to the target area all following the same sort of heading but also at various heights, bombing would commence as soon as the target was marked (if it was a pathfinder marked target, which usually were after 1942)Each aircraft would drop its load aiming for the pyrotechnic markers (greens or reds or combinations)the exit the area and make their own way back, Lancasters would be at the highest Alt, followed by the Halifaxes, then at a lower alt would be the Short Stirlings. there are many good books out there regarding the role of the RAF. hope this helps a bit.

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