07-15-2005, 04:34 PM
THE EXPERIMENT
General Doolittle liked the idea and, based on availability of the only aircraft capable of making it all the way to the targets with the bombers, the mighty P-51 Mustang, authorized Budd Peaslee to test the idea. In June 1944, supported by the 355th Fighter Group, the Scouting Force(Experimental) was formed at Steeple Morden, England. Budd arrived with 8 bomber pilots who had completed their combat missions. The 355th furnished 12 aircraft, Crew Chiefs and Assistants, quarters and all logistics support needed by the Scouts.
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