Once air superiority was available the RAF flew their
daylight missions in loose gaggles of 2-4 aircraft staggered
in height to minimise flak damage.
That might have been influenced by the fact that no other aircraft type could
fly in the tight formations used by the B-17.
I've heard that B-26s could also fly in very tight formations, but I shouldn't
think as at high an altitude as the B-17.
B-17's could maintain formation at heights almost twice as high as the altitude
at which Bomber Command usually operated, either by day or by night.
Walt
Walt
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