ArtKramr wrote:

Subject: Night bombers interception in Western Europe in 1944
From: Guy Alcala

Normal B-17 formation cruise was150-160 IAS.


For max rtange about 125.

That seems a bit low but still believable, given that best rate of
climb is 135 IAS (per the pilot's manual). In any case, formation
combat cruise was 150-160 IAS, tending towards the lower end. B-24s
were at 160-180 IAS, or 155 if they had to fly with B-17s (which they
hated, because the Fort was comfortable in formation down to 140 or
even a bit less, where the B-24 was hanging on its props).

Guy