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.