formation assembly ships originator?

[jjfjr]

Hi;

I'm researching formation assembly ships and I can't seem to find out who started the idea. Any thoughts?

Thanks;

jjfjr

 

[fubar57]

This book has lots of photos of assembly ships and P-47's that were used to "herd" lost or straggling bombers into proper position. However there is nothing about who or exactly when this started.

 

[pbehn]

This book has lots of photos of assembly ships and P-47's that were used to "herd" lost or straggling bombers into proper position. However there is nothing about who or exactly when this started.

View attachment 595255​

Was that the P-47 Collie? It had an engine that yapped and a wagging tail?

 

[fubar57]

Close...

 

[Capt. Vick]

It has a shark mouth? I love it!

 

[vikingBerserker]

Not a job I'd like to do, very interesting.

 

[fubar57]

All it says here is, "In 1943, someone came up with the idea of selecting a war weary bomber......" Great info though...Polka Dot Warriors > Vintage Wings of Canada

 

[Snautzer01]

Never knew that, thank you

 

[SaparotRob]

All it says here is, "In 1943, someone came up with the idea of selecting a war weary bomber......" Great info though...Polka Dot Warriors > Vintage Wings of Canada

Those pictures are great. An eye catching change from OD.

 

[drgondog]

According to 93rd BG (2BD) history, they were first to experiment with using a war weary B-24D painted with yellow/black stripes in December 1943. Prior to that in Spring 1943, Splashers were used to provide navigation reference for Bomb Groups to choose proper heading to navigate to assembly 'blocks of airspace' for each BG assembly point. In medium visibility, many errors in assembly were still made, despite being led to assigned space to assemble by virtue of improved navigation aid of the Splasher.

 

[rtbrd]

I know this is off topic but it relates in a way. Does anyone know roughly how many B-17 formation ships there were. Been searching and never really got any numbers, either near or far from how many there were.

 

[fubar57]

"Assembly Ships of the Mighty Eighth" show seven B-17s with photos and serial numbers for most if not all. A caveat at the bottom of the page showing all assembly ships and monitors asks for corrections and additional information

 

[rtbrd]

Guess I should have come here first. You guys got all in one bag. Thanx.
Edit: Yikers, just checked the price of the Assembly Ships book on Amazon, paperback $100.

 

[Engineman]

Edit: Yikers, just checked the price of the Assembly Ships book on Amazon, paperback $100.

I think that some online book sales are reactive pricing on special rare books. We go to look for an unusual book and the price rockets.

Eng

 

[cvairwerks]

New version of the book is coming out on 30 Sept....$55 on Amazon and other places when preordered. According to the publishing info, it's about 60 pages larger.

 

[fubar57]

New version of the book is coming out on 30 Sept....$55 on Amazon and other places when preordered. According to the publishing info, it's about 60 pages larger.

Nice. This book is 148 pages now

 

[cvairwerks]

May be some differences then. The 2007 version said 120 pages, the 2025 says 180 pages... Have to see the new version for sure.

 

[fubar57]

The one I have is 2013, "Revised Edition"

 

[rtbrd]

New version of the book is coming out on 30 Sept....$55 on Amazon and other places when preordered. According to the publishing info, it's about 60 pages larger.

That would be nice, at that price I might consider it. Thanks for the heads up.

And as to the General's supposition I would not be surprised.