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Location: West Los Angeles and Rancho Palos Verdes
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I've been a student of WWII aviation for more than 20 years, and only today heard about these uniquely painted, unarmed aircraft known as "Judas Goats" that operated with a skeleton crew and led other aircraft in radio silence to the target area, then headed back solo.
My understanding is that they helped assemble large formations of aircraft over friendly territory. Once assembled the aircraft used their own navigators to reach enemy targets. There may have been rare exceptions. Can you image what an easy target these aircraft would be if they flew into hostile territory.
My understanding is that they helped assemble large formations of aircraft over friendly territory. Once assembled the aircraft used their own navigators to reach enemy targets. There may have been rare exceptions. Can you image what an easy target these aircraft would be if they flew into hostile territory.
Alone in enemy territory? As part of a formation I would guess it would depend upon the tactics of the fighter squadrons, would they focus on the lead or Tail End Charlie. And if enemy intelligence told them that the planes were not carrying bombs like we attempted to fake out the Japanese when the atomic bombers went in almost alone.
Location: West Los Angeles and Rancho Palos Verdes
13,583 posts, read 15,664,868 times
Reputation: 14049
Quote:
Originally Posted by Taiko
Alone in enemy territory? As part of a formation I would guess it would depend upon the tactics of the fighter squadrons, would they focus on the lead or Tail End Charlie. And if enemy intelligence told them that the planes were not carrying bombs like we attempted to fake out the Japanese when the atomic bombers went in almost alone.
The other poster was presumably referring to them turning back and heading for home, alone, after leading the formation to the target.
The Judas Goat aircraft were used mainly in the UK for assembly. My understanding is they never even got as far as the English Channel. Getting several hundred bombers into proper formation over SE England was a challenge given the limited airspace.
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