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Allied and Soviet Air Forces Please use this forum to discuss the Air Forces of the Western Allies and the Soviet Union. |
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#1
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About "spare" American fighter pilots
Stutying US archives or reading American books, "spares" pilots are often or always mentioned. Normal.
But who was "spare" ? Where and how long time did the "spare" had to wait ? Did he wait in his plane ? nearby ? Did his started engine like ohers before take off ? Sorry for these ingenuous questions ... Phil. |
#2
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Re: About "spare" American fighter pilots
They would take off with the other pilots, and stay with the formation until reaching some pre-agreed point. Then they would fill gaps in the formation caused by aircraft aborting because of various problems, or return home.
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#3
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Re: About "spare" American fighter pilots
Graham's explanation is right on. Bomb Groups also had spare aircraft.
Cheers |
#4
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Re: About "spare" American fighter pilots
Graham is correct. In addition, Relay's would frequently go aloft in a pair and orbit over Channel to 'relay' radio traffic from the Type 16 Contollers to the Fighter Wing.
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