In article ,
(ArtKramr) wrote:

Subject: Why would an RAF pilot become a USAAC co-pilot?
From: (Eunometic)
Date: 2/9/04 5:55 PM Pacific

The US daylight bombers required a co-pilot for the physically and
mentally fatiquing task of close formation flying upon which their
defensive boxes were based.

Exactly 100% correct.


Arthur Kramer
344th BG 494th BS
England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany
Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer


In Ambrose Bearse's book "Wild Blue" about Sen. McGovern's B-24 piloting
experience in the Med in WWII, McGovern seemed to me to be rather clear
on the point that his Co-pilot was an adaquate co-pilot but was never in
his mind aircraft commander material. Don't know if he considered him
to be fighter pilot material or was more of the opinion that the guy was
too immature. I vaguely remember that there might have been some latent
desire to fly fighters and some carried resentment for not being allowed
to.

In a situation like that, someone who carries that kind of resentment
could quickly become a sore spot in an aircrew. Wannabes make poor team
members. Aircrew positions in that ware were NOT career paths. A
successful career in the AAC at that point was any which did not end in
a telegram to one's parents. Art, did you ever consider staying in for
20 or 30 years? Is suspect that the crews you knew were almost entirely
focussed on killing the freak in Berlin as a terminal career objective.

--
Dana Miller