WW2 USAF in Europe

[Peppermint]

This is something that has been bugging me for a very long time, thought I'd finally ask about it.

Where did the B17s, P51s, P47 etc take off from during WW2 for the USAF? I'm not sure what the range is over the Atlantic from the USA to Germany, but it seems a long long way for older aircraft to go. Basically my question is, did the USAF bombers take off from the USA and go to Germany, or were they stationed somewhere in GB and took off from there? Any mention of Airbase names by any chance? Also, any chance of knowing around what time they would take off and be expected back?

I'm pretty interested to know as I might do a mock bombing flight, if I figure out the autopilot....actually, if I can't figure that out, I'll have to get out a map haha.

Thanks.

[Naki]

During most of WW2 the USAF (actually it was USAAF or United Staes Army Air Force as it was part of the army back then - it became a seperate service in 1947) forces were based in the UK - later on after D day the forces moved forward into Eurupe- although some of the longer range bomber forces may of stayed in the UK. Not sure what the US bases names were (there were many) - maybe wikipedia can help?

[AlisterC]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eighth_Air_Force

The wiki page you want is above, includes all the airbases where the 8th Airforce was operating out of

[Ian Warren]

Following up on Paul and Alister , the 8th based around cambridge areas in the UK , most raids attacked and returned , many attacked and flew on to Russian bases and the famous 1943 Schweinfurt - Regensburg raid , were they continued on to bases in North Africa .
This time during WW2 the fear of loosing the East Anglia bases prompted a design with the idea to fly from US bases

first flight 1946 , the Convair B36 Peacemaker .

[Peppermint]

Thanks guys, now I just have to find some scenery for FS. EDIT: Found some scenery, not the ones I was looking for, but good enough to do the job. Mock bombing raid on Laarbruch airport, then back home to Greenham.

Opened up google earth to get a rough estimate on how far it is, came up with this

[Adamski]

Most of the USAF bases were in East Anglia ... as others have pointed out - easily found by Googling around. Some were in the North of England. Don't forget the many Kiwis that served in Bomber Command - certainly a fair few flew in Stirlings.

[Ian Warren]

QUOTE (Adamski @ Apr 26 2008, 04:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

many Kiwis that served in Bomber Command - certainly a fair few flew in Stirlings.

Now that would be something to see .. a good full blown Short Stirling for FS

[Adamski]

QUOTE (Ian Warren @ Apr 26 2008, 04:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Now that would be something to see .. a good full blown Short Stirling for FS

I used to have one ages ago - but it was pretty crude, ISTR. Amazing looking plane though. Could've been a great bomber - if they hadn't chopped their wings down

s29v031.zip

If that link doesn't work, search for s29v031.zip on www.flightsim.com.

[Alfashark]

Peppermint, if you're keen to head out on a raid anywhere in the E.T.O, feel free to swing by the servers here at my second home.

Keep an eye out for three people: Satellite, SirFuzz and myself. Pretty much 99% of our flights are recreations of real sorties flown by both Allied and Axis forces.

Sort yourself out with some appropriate Heavy Metal (Shockwave/Wings of Power, some of AlphaSim's gear...) and get yourself comfortable for the next 3-14hrs

[Ian Warren]

QUOTE (Adamski @ Apr 26 2008, 06:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If that link doesn't work, search for s29v031.zip on www.flightsim.com.

Ill keep you updated if I find a new model , versa-versa

[Peppermint]

QUOTE (Alfashark @ Apr 26 2008, 09:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Peppermint, if you're keen to head out on a raid anywhere in the E.T.O, feel free to swing by the servers here at my second home.

Keep an eye out for three people: Satellite, SirFuzz and myself. Pretty much 99% of our flights are recreations of real sorties flown by both Allied and Axis forces.

Sort yourself out with some appropriate Heavy Metal (Shockwave/Wings of Power, some of AlphaSim's gear...) and get yourself comfortable for the next 3-14hrs

Sounds good, I'll need to get more practice in with the Wings of power bombers, sorting out the autopilots and things. I'll have to find some extra cash somewhere to get some AS aircraft.