Diamondback
Airman
This may be a stupid question, but... Sources always toss around squadron ID's, but seldom tell you anything about how many planes of any given type were in a typical squadron--notable exception being the "Schedules of the Naval Aeronautical Organization" at Naval Aeronautical Organization, 1923-1952 . Are there any similar "Authorized Strength" documents floating around for various other services and countries?
Particular targets would include USAAF B-17, B-24, C-47, P-36, P-38, P-39, P-40, P-47, P-51 and P-61, UK B-17, B-26, C-47 and Beaufighter.
For a contribution to get the party started, here's some on USN... (note, not including CAG "Boss Bird" which was usually an SBD early or fighter later)
Navy "big deck" fighter squadrons: 18 (F2A or F4F), then 24 (F4F, maybe F6F),then 36 (F6F), then 48 (F6F or F4U), then 2x36 (F6F, F4U or 1 squadron each)
->NOTE: when carried, 2-plane photorecon-fighter and/or four-plane nightfighter sections were included in these totals
Independence CVL and Sangamon/Commencement Bay CVE fighters: 12 (F4F, early Sangamon), 18 (F4F, early Independence; F6F or F4U, late Sangamon), or 24 (F6F; late Independence)
Dive bomber squadrons: 2x18 (SB2U then SBD), then 1x36 (SBD or SB2C), then 1x24 (SB2C), then 1x15 (SB2C)
Torpedo bomber squadrons: 12-18 (varied by ship; TBD), 18 ('42-'44 TBF), 15 (late-'44 through VJ TBF); 9 (Independence-class later TBF, remnant from prior 9-SBD/9-TBF composite squadron); 12 (late Sangamon TBF)
Composite squadrons: A bewildering variety by theater and ship, I hope to have some data in a couple weeks.
Particular targets would include USAAF B-17, B-24, C-47, P-36, P-38, P-39, P-40, P-47, P-51 and P-61, UK B-17, B-26, C-47 and Beaufighter.
For a contribution to get the party started, here's some on USN... (note, not including CAG "Boss Bird" which was usually an SBD early or fighter later)
Navy "big deck" fighter squadrons: 18 (F2A or F4F), then 24 (F4F, maybe F6F),then 36 (F6F), then 48 (F6F or F4U), then 2x36 (F6F, F4U or 1 squadron each)
->NOTE: when carried, 2-plane photorecon-fighter and/or four-plane nightfighter sections were included in these totals
Independence CVL and Sangamon/Commencement Bay CVE fighters: 12 (F4F, early Sangamon), 18 (F4F, early Independence; F6F or F4U, late Sangamon), or 24 (F6F; late Independence)
Dive bomber squadrons: 2x18 (SB2U then SBD), then 1x36 (SBD or SB2C), then 1x24 (SB2C), then 1x15 (SB2C)
Torpedo bomber squadrons: 12-18 (varied by ship; TBD), 18 ('42-'44 TBF), 15 (late-'44 through VJ TBF); 9 (Independence-class later TBF, remnant from prior 9-SBD/9-TBF composite squadron); 12 (late Sangamon TBF)
Composite squadrons: A bewildering variety by theater and ship, I hope to have some data in a couple weeks.
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