Question for the military history buffs.

[howyadoin]

I'm about to start on a picture that shows a few P-51 Mustangs. I've found lotsa great reference photos, and tons of technical details about the plane.

But what I can't seem to find is any reference to what kind of formations they flew in. Was there a standard number of them that would fly together, or did that vary depending on the situation? I'd like to make this picture fairly accurate, historically speaking. So if they usually flew in groups of, say, 5, then that's how many I'll put in the picture.

Your thoughts? Info? Links? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[gary bolt]

My wife’s uncle flew Mustangs and Spitfires in WWII. Most of the missions he flew were across the channel to Germany and France. I got the impression from discussions with him (he died about ten years ago) that his commanders changed things up depending on the specifics of each mission.

[howyadoin]

My wife’s uncle flew Mustangs and Spitfires in WWII. Most of the missions he flew were across the channel to Germany and France. I got the impression from discussions with him (he died about ten years ago) that his commanders changed things up depending on the specifics of each mission.Had a feeling that might be the case. I just didn't wanna draw the picture with the wrong number of planes and have somebody call me on it.

[cactusmaac]

You could try asking at Usenet.

[ghostrider666]

AS the WW2 wore on, the P-51 became the US' all-around fighter bomber. Its #1 role was that of escort fighter. They would fly above the B-17/B-24 formations to protect the bombers from enemy fighters. Standard formations were 4 planes. There could be many more together, but the standard "group" was 4. This was then broken down to a 2 plane flight.
When used as fighter-bombers they'd mopre often fly in just the 2 plane flight. Or if on a recon mission, alone.
By the end of the war, there were also many P-51s in use in the Pacific. The same rules apply.

[Guapo Méndez]

Some links (http://www.flightjournal.com/plane_profiles/p-51_mustang/p-51_mustang_history.asp) I hope (http://www2.acc.af.mil/gallery/images/aircraft/misc/fi/p51_3.htm) can help. (http://www.reese-457th.org/must.jpg)

[Guapo Méndez]

More information, text this time, from Bud Anderson, (http://www.cebudanderson.com/jerome07.htm) Triple Ace WWII fighter. Check where it says "flying Formation".

[howyadoin]

Excellent. Thanks for the info, fellas.