Scouting Force (Experimental) (SFX)

Squadron
A P-51 Mustang (OS-G, serial number 44-13728) of the 355th Fighter Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress at Podington. Image via William E "Doc" Furniss, 92nd Bomb Group. Writtten on slide casing: 'OS:G 413728 Podington.' media-388323.jpg FRE 6061 A P-51D Mustang (OS-G, serial number 44-13728) of the Experimental Scouting Force (SFX), with a B-17 Flying Fortress at Podington. The underscore to the 357th Fighter Squadron code "OS" indicates its asignment to the SFX but serviced by the 357th FS. The SFX was formed at Steeple Morden with both fighter pilots and bomber pilots who had completed their tours and volunteered to fly fighters. 44-13728 was assigned to Captain Ernest L Burdge who had served with the 92nd Bomb Group. Image via William E "Doc" Furniss, 92nd Bomb Group. Writtten on slide casing: 'OS:G 413728 Podington.' Roger Freeman Collection

Updated caption to show unit and pilot associations

Object Number - FRE 6061 - A P-51D Mustang (OS-G, serial number 44-13728) of the Experimental Scouting Force (SFX), with a B-17 Flying Fortress at Podington. The underscore to...

Formed by Col. Peaslee following presentation of his theory to Gen. Doolittle. The purpose of the Scouting Force concept was for experienced, tour expired lead bomber pilots, escorted by volunteer fighter pilots, to fly ahead of bomber formations to determine weather conditions over the target, and if unfavourable direct the bomber stream to secondary or tertiary targets. Following 35 successful missions between 16th July and 12th September 1944, flown from Steeple Morden, the concept was proved and a Scouting Force formed for each of the three Air Divisions. Peaslee went to lead the 1st Scouting Force at Honington while the 2nd Scouting Force continued at Steeple Morden. Although based at Steeple Morden and acting as a fourth squadron with the 355th FG, who provided all logistical support, the SFX was considered a 1st Air Division unit. With the 355th FG, the SFX differentiated their aircraft by underscoring the two code letters used by the three regular 355th FG squadrons. These codes will be shown as WR/-, OS/- and YF/-. The three different codes indicated which of the three 355th FG squadrons maintained the individual aircraft, which were split fairly evenly between them. The SFX initially had a strength of eight ex-bomber pilots and eight fighter pilots.

Commanding Officers

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 1st Scouting Force Scouting Force (Experimental) (SFX)
  • Service Numbers: O-17061
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Connections

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 1st Scouting Force 384th Fighter Squadron 385th Fighter Squadron Scouting Force (Experimental) (SFX)
  • Service Numbers: O-748548
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot / Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 1st Scouting Force 357th Fighter Squadron 384th Fighter Squadron Scouting Force (Experimental) (SFX)
  • Service Numbers: 16104275 / O-815648
  • Highest Rank: Flight Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 1st Scouting Force 383rd Fighter Squadron 385th Fighter Squadron Scouting Force (Experimental) (SFX)
  • Service Numbers: 36306936 / O-748348
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Bomber / Fighter pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group Scouting Force (Experimental) (SFX)
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bomber / Fighter pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 1st Scouting Force 357th Fighter Squadron 385th Fighter Squadron Scouting Force (Experimental) (SFX)
  • Service Numbers: O-694127
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Lois
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 357th Fighter Squadron Scouting Force (Experimental) (SFX)
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Carolyn Ann
  • Unit: 364th Fighter Group 1st Scouting Force 383rd Fighter Squadron Scouting Force (Experimental) (SFX)
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Betty Joyce
  • Unit: 364th Fighter Group 1st Scouting Force 383rd Fighter Squadron Scouting Force (Experimental) (SFX)
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Slender, Tender and Tall / Easy Does It
  • Unit: 352nd Fighter Group 1st Scouting Force 487th Fighter Squadron 8th Air Force Finance Scouting Force (Experimental) (SFX)
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Morphine Sue II, Chip
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 1st Scouting Force 358th Fighter Squadron Scouting Force (Experimental) (SFX)

Revisions

Date
ContributorPyker
Changes
Sources

Details from "Fighting Scouts of the 8th Air Force" by E. Richard "Dick" Atkins, Taylor Publishing, Dallas, TX, 1966 plus personal research and that of Ted Damick.

Scouting Force (Experimental) (SFX): Gallery (19 items)