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"UNITED STATES ARMY AIR FORCE" "BASIC FIGHTER FORMATIONS" |
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"FINGER FOUR FORMATION" |
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The Finger Four was widely used by the USAAF as it standard formation for its Fighter Squadrons. |
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"Top View of Finger Four Formation" |
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FLT. LEADER |
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"2 PLANE WIDTH SPACING" |
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30 deg ANGLE |
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2 |
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30 deg ANGLE |
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"WINGMEN 3&4 ABOUT 25FT BELOW FLT LEADER AND 1/2 WING SPAN SPACING AT 30 DEG ANGLE" |
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4 |
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"FRONT VIEW OF FINGER FOUR FORMATION" |
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1 |
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"FLT LEADER" |
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"2 PLANE WIDTH SPACING" |
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"1/2 Wing Span" "30deg Angle" |
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"1/2 Wing Span" "30deg Angle" |
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3 |
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2 |
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4 |
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"25FT Below" |
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"25FT Below" |
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"WINGMEN 3&4 ABOUT 25FT BELOW FLT LEADER AND 1/2 WING SPAN SPACING AT 30 DEG ANGLE" |
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"SIDE VIEW OF FINGER FOUR FORMATION" |
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1) FLT LEADER |
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2 would be on Right Hand side at 30 Deg angle 1/2 wing span from leader |
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2 |
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4 would be on the Left Hand side at 30deg Angle 1/2 wing Span |
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2 PLANE SPACING |
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3 |
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4 |
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"THE SQUADRON BOX" |
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"The Squadron Box was widely used by the USAAF as it Standard Formation when flying to a Target or when Escorting Bomber Formation. When flying Bomber Escort each Squadron would form up into the Squadron Boxs and Surround the Bomber Formation to give Maximum Protection. |
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"SECTION 1" |
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<------------500 to 1000 yards-----------> |
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SQ..LEADER |
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WHITE FLIGHT |
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RED FLIGHT |
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FLT.LEADER |
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"250 YARDS" |
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"SECTION 2" |
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<------------500 to 1000 yards-----------> |
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YELLOW FLIGHT |
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FLT.LEADER |
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BLUE FLIGHT |
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FLT.LEADER |
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SQ..LEADER |
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RED FLIGHT |
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FLT.LEADER |
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<------------500 to 1000 yards-----------> |
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WHITE FLIGHT |
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FLT.LEADER |
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BLUE FLIGHT |
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<------------500 to 1000 yards-----------> |
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FLT.LEADER |
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<------------500 to 1000 yards-----------> |
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YELLOW FLIGHT |
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"ECHELON LEFT AND RIGHT" |
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FLT.LEADER |
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FLT.LEADER |
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"RIGHT" |
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"LEFT |
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FLT.LEADER |
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FLT.LEADER |
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"LEFT |
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"RIGHT" |
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"LINE ABREAST" |
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"FTL." |
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"FTL." |
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