Info on WWII USAAF Lead or Target Tug bombers.

[Mike S.]

Does anyone know of a source for color schemes of B-17 and B-24 brightly painted "Lead" or "Target Tug" formation leading bombers?

I've combed the internet and found nothing, either links or book references.

Cheers.

[MikeC]

Hi Michael,

If you mean assembly ships, these were mostly B-24s in Norfolk - 2nd Air Division. You could try Googling "B-24 assembly ship" which brings up some good results. This is the list that I used:

Bowman, Martin: B-24 Liberator 1939-1945. (can't recall publisher)

Dorr, Robert: B-24 LiberatorUnits of the 8th Air Force (Osprey).

Freeman, Roger: The Mighty Eighth (Janes)

Freeman, Roger:Mighty Eighth Warpaint and Heraldry (Arms and Armour).

Gray, Robert: Assembly Ships of the Second Air Division (Scale Aircraft Modelling, Vol 21 no 6 and Vol 21 no 12).

Aircam Monograph No 11. (can't recall author)

Army Air Forces in Europe: www.usaaf.com

Second Air Division Memorial Library: www.2ndair.org.uk

when I built mine:

http://hsfeatures.com/features04/b24dmc_1.htm

HTH,

Edited February 10, 2008 by MikeC

[Mentalguru]

There used to be an older chap who took his collection of lead ships around the shows 10 or more years ago- always thought it was a great display

[miduppergunner]

Can you be a bit more specific - there is a collection of models the B24 assembly ships in the museum at Norwich and they have some reference books. I might also be able to contact Martin Bowman

David.

[Mike S.]

Cheers for the help. My error was using "Formation Lead" or "Target Tug" search terms, as I couldn't remember "Assembly" ship. Although the first two terms are often quoted in recollections, it is apparently not actively used anymore. This change does indeed bring up many leads.

Thanks again. Anyone who might have further info, please do not hesitate to post too!

[Mike S.]

BTW,

Anyone wondering what I am talking about, here is a model of a real B-17 Assembly ship with bright color scheme: