Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Aircraft and Vehicles => Topic started by: OntosMk1 on June 19, 2003, 07:10:36 PM

Title: Need Help here....
Post by: OntosMk1 on June 19, 2003, 07:10:36 PM

Ok pilots,

This is what i'm asking.
How do squadron's break down number wise (i.e. Element=2 planes, Flight= 4, squadron=8 and so on...)
Im looking for the US squadron break down...
Element = #?
Flight = ?
Squadron = ?
Group = ?
Wing = ?
Command = ?

Title: Need Help here....
Post by: ramzey on June 19, 2003, 07:29:22 PM

For RAF:
2 planes - Element (Any rank)
4 planes - Section (Any rank)
12 planes - Squadron (Squadron Leader)
36 planes - Wing (Wing Commander)

USAAF
2 planes - Element (any rank)
4 planes - Flight (any rank)
12 to 16 planes - Squadron (Captain)
36 to 48 planes - Group (Major, Lieutenant Colonel, or Colonel

Title: Need Help here....
Post by: Pei on June 19, 2003, 08:15:44 PM

For the RAF squadrons of a/c with 2 or more engines (e.g mossies, lancs) were often divided into 2 flights, each usually commanded by a Squadron Leader, the Squadron itself commanded by a Wing Commander.
The ranks of the Wing and Group CO often were higher as well.

Title: Muchos Gracias...
Post by: OntosMk1 on June 19, 2003, 11:53:19 PM

Thanks....i was really drawing a blank there....plus i couldnt figure out key words to use for a search...

Title: Need Help here....
Post by: Stegahorse on June 20, 2003, 03:00:53 AM

American squadrons were 16 planes and 4 or 5 spares. At times a squad could put up 20 aircraft. The usual practice was to send 2-4  extra up in case one of the 16 had problems and had to return to base.
Bud Aderson tells a story about how he made himself and Yeager extras and they went off to Swizterland to sight see. The squad got something like 52 kills that day and they got none.