Bomber Squadrons: how many AC per each?

[MaskRider]

Hi guys,

Anybody know how many AC were typically assigned to a Heavy B-29 Bomber Squadron in the PTO? I am seeing numbers ranging anywhere from 6 to 9 to 12.

Thanks,
MR

 

[Ghostrider]

Hey MR,

At full strength, a Very Heavy (B-29) Wing had 180 Aircraft assigned into 4 Groups of three squadrons each. Therefore, a squadron consisted of 15 aircraft.

Operationally, putting 12 planes in the air was probably pretty realistic.

As far as personnel, a wing was 12,000 men, which works out to about 67 guys (11 aircrew and 56 support personnel) to put a Superfort in the air!

 

[Nole]

Interesting

At least through the 70's, the USAF's (SAC's) Heavy Bomb Wings continued to be composed of squadrons of 15 aircraft. However, the wings normally had only two aircraft squadrons, one bomber (B-52) and one tanker (KC-135).

 

[MaskRider]

I appreciate the info guys. Thanks.

The reason I was asking is that in one of my detail photos of Isley that shows a portion of the field you can see these single rows of tents and Quonsets in spaces between the hardstands. Not between every hardstand- but for every 10-12 hardstands it seemed that there was a cluster. The photo doesn't show enough of the airfield for me to get a good idea of just how many there were. Made me think that these were probably the messing/birthing/op centers for each Squadron. I was wondering how many AC were in a Very Heavy B-29 Squadron so that I would know how many of these tent/Quonset clusters to disperse among the hardstands. It wasn't just idle curiosity.

BTW I went ahead with the 15- it tallied with what I found in some subsequent googling. Thanks GR

Here is the photo I am talking about:

 

[Pips]

The effort you go to MR (for accuracy) is quite outstanding!

 

[Jagdflieger]

History... Alive and well in CFS 2!