"8th Air Force 1943" Topic

I'm thinking of gaming some bomber raids from around aug-nov 1943 I will prob. Get some b-17s perhaps a few b-24s for bombers
I will get some p-47. P-51. Spitfires and perhaps some p-38
For Germans some me109 and fw190s

My question is what model aircraft. Such as for p-51 it will be B models but what model for the other airplanes

I will probally go with dome decals 1/600
Thanks

The first 8th AF P-51 unit was the 357FG, and they flew their first escort mission in Feb 1944. The first 8th AF bombing mission with P-51 escorts was in Dec 1943, using the P-51 units from 9th AF.

P-47s would be either C or D model, however at that time their differences are mostly with the fueling system and type of drop tanks. Externally they are pretty much identical with both having "razor-back" canopies. P-47D with bubble canopies did not appear until mid-44.

P-38s were mostly G or H models at that time. Later J and L models with the larger chin under the engines didn't appear until 1944.

B-17s were mostly F models, although some G models would appear near the end of 1943

Bf-109 were G models.

Fw-190 were short nose A models. The long nose D models didn't appear until fall 1944.

Forget the P-51s. None operational before late Dec '43 (354th FG 9AF). 8AF didn't have any until Feb'44 (4th FG and 357th FG).

Only one P-38 unit (55th FG – becomes operational on Oct 15 '43).

No Spitfires unless you want to include the RAF.

You should get some B-26s though. They were still part of the 8AF at this point.

Get some Me110s as well.

Basically it was P-47 escorts to the limit of their (short) range, then self-defending bombers the rest of the way. The two Schweinfurt missions killed and laid to rest the self-defending bomber theory though.

cheers

So no p-51s
the spits are Raf and they did escort many raids mostly picking up bombers on the way home.

What model b-24. The glass nose Or the nose turrent version?

1943 would be glass nose B-24D.

The Spits and P-47's are restricted to fairly short range penetration upon entry and egress of the bomber units over Europe. Add them in, occasionally, as desired, along with some P-38s, for mission variety.

You can probably omit them without any problems for your 1943 raids.

As mentioned, '109s, '190s, and 110s. The latter carried rockets to break up the American formations. Actually, all of them did at one point, but the single-engined fighters actually carried them much less frequently, but did have them for the 1943 raids, and some into 1944 as well.

Tumbling dice has b-17e and G models I'm thinking the E would stand in for the F model better since the G has the chin turrent. Is this a safe assumption?

Also for fall od 1943 would the bombers still be in the olive drab or silver or a mix of the two?

What paint schemes for the allied and German fighters?

Yes, the E and F models are closer to each other than the G. OD over Gray camo is good; the finish was applied at the factory and discontinued from October 43 so from then on, a mix of OD and silver metal could be seen as replacement aircraft arrived in theater. Paint was not stripped from existing airplanes so they flew alongside each other.

BTW Here is a useful guide to tail markings and unit insignia link

Luftwaffe planes are in two-tone mottled gray

DW,

Just use my mission generator in Squadron Forward. Pick the year and roll up your opponent.
It won't help with the painting though. Number 4 has you covered with that!

Cheers

Joe

DW. If aren't a member of my 1/600 group you may like to join it and look at the Photo folder I have made for Luftwaffe schemes ans markings. There are quite a few there that would be helpful to you. Robert

My 3mm-1/600 Aircraft Wargaming Yahoo Group
link