If the Germans fly the "finger four"...why 9 AC per squadron?

[Hans]

Ok, the Germans invented the Finger Four formation of flying.

However, their standard squadron size is nine aircraft.

What gives?  The squadron leader is flying alone with two flights behind him?

Hans.

[Wingnut_0]

where'd u get 9 AC at?  Standard size was 12 AC.  Now all throughout the war with AC availibility and such they could of been forced to fly a different number but otherwise no.



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Wingnut
GeschwaderKommadore
P.T.R. "Black 13"


The quality of the box matters little.  Success depends upon the man who sits in it  -  Baron Manfred von Richthofen

[eagl]

Maybe the 9th was bait?



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eagl <squealing Pigs> BYA
Oink Oink To War!!!

[Nath-BDP]

just FYI...

A Geschwader usually consists of 150-200 aircraft.

Then it is split up into 3 or 4 Gruppe of 35-40 aircraft.

Each Gruppe is broken down into 3 Staffel of 12 aircraft.

A Staffel contains 3 Schwarms of 4 aircraft each.

Each schwarm is then devided into 2 Rotte of 2 aircraft each. (Rottenfuherer and wingman)

Added to the Gruppe is a Stab (Staff flight)

Also, each Gruppe consists of 3 Staffel and the staffel number starts with the first Gruppe (example I Gruppe of JG 54 would contain 1, 2 and 3 Staffel.  III/JG 54 would contain 7, 8 and 9 Staffel)
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Nath_____
9./JG 54 "Grünherz"
 

"It felt as if an angel was pushing..."
-Reponse of Gen. Adolf Galland after flying the fourth prototype Me 262 in May 1943.

[This message has been edited by Nath-BDP (edited 11-26-2000).]

[Westy]

 Is the ninth intended as an auxillary or spare aircraft? No squadron, in any airforce, ever found themselves with "100% available for combat use" aircraft at any time.

-Westy

[fats]

..ahem.. it's the Finns who invented finger four.

Theoretical staffel strength was from 12 to 16 later in the war.


// fats

[Staga]

I was looking some "old" AH pics when I found this.

 
Perfect ain't it  

[hblair]

Nice pic, wrong plane though!

[juzz]

"..ahem.. it's the Finns who invented finger four."

Care to elaborate on that fats?

[Staga]

 http://www.saunalahti.fi/~fta/FAFhist.htm