He-111 bomber seperation

[HagarTheHorrible]

What is the correct bomber seperation in a typical He-111 formation ?  If I remember correctly they tended to fly in Vic's of 3.

[RainMan]

Here's a photo that depicts the separation nicely:

 

[HagarTheHorrible]

So, about 30 meters then ?

[PantsPilot]

So, about 30 meters then ?

50 metres if the pilots didn't get on! I should imagine they'd open the formation up a bit when in combat to avoid collisions.

Edited August 25, 2014 by PantsPilot

[SCG_Space_Ghost]

50 metres if the pilots didn't get on! I should imagine they'd open the formation up a bit when in combat to avoid collisions.

 

Actually, I believe that formation was to remain fairly rigid for defensive purposes - that's why there was such a drive in the Allied bombing of the Reich for the Luftwaffe pilots to dive in the center of bomber formations in an attempt to break them up - more distance between the bombers = easier targeting for the fighter and less defense for the bomber.

[Gambit21]

So, about 30 meters then ?

I don't know about you, but that picture alone is plenty for me to eyeball as reference without needing an exact measurement.

[HagarTheHorrible]

I don't know about you, but that picture alone is plenty for me to eyeball as reference without needing an exact measurement.

 

I know what you mean, I was trying to get a rough idea, I think the wingspan of a 111 is about 22 meters.

[PantsPilot]

Actually, I believe that formation was to remain fairly rigid for defensive purposes - that's why there was such a drive in the Allied bombing of the Reich for the Luftwaffe pilots to dive in the center of bomber formations in an attempt to break them up - more distance between the bombers = easier targeting for the fighter and less defense for the bomber.

 

Study some combat footage from the BoB and you'll see that the He-111's aren't as tight to each other as that obvious PR photo. Makes sense when you think about it as the pilot/crew sitting in that glasshouse at the front and facing 8 gun fighters are bound to react on the flight-stick when the bullets are inbound. One jumpy pilot could take out a vic of 3 easily if they were too close.

[SCG_Space_Ghost]

Study some combat footage from the BoB and you'll see that the He-111's aren't as tight to each other as that obvious PR photo. Makes sense when you think about it as the pilot/crew sitting in that glasshouse at the front and facing 8 gun fighters are bound to react on the flight-stick when the bullets are inbound. One jumpy pilot could take out a vic of 3 easily if they were too close.

 

Don't recall having made any claims about that picture... Wait... What was your point again..?

 

Didn't mention anything about spacing, either. I do recall mentioning that a bomber pilot was instructed to stick to his formation - do feel free to correct me if I am wrong about that.