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Formation Lights - 3/10/2008 4:20:55 PM   
51-D GUY


 

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From: Franklin, LA, USA
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Anybody have any info on the Red Green & Yellow Formation Lights found on the bottom right wing or center fuselage

of most Warbirds I Can't find any info about these anywhere,

What do the colors mean, & at what times were they used ? Can you fellow Warbird guys help me on this,


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RE: Formation Lights - 3/10/2008 6:45:21 PM   
SMUGator



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From: Sammamish, WA, USA
Status: offline 		The red, yellow and green lights on the bottom are actually identification lights. Each airfield/wing had a code for the day. If you return at night and don't have the correct color lit, theres a very good chance that you will get shot at.

Tom

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RE: Formation Lights - 3/10/2008 6:58:47 PM   
gary9648


 

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Status: offline 		This is what I was told also. However, all the P-51 pilots I have talked to said they never used them....go figure.
Anyone else out there heard different?
Gary

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RE: Formation Lights - 3/10/2008 7:12:35 PM   
51-D GUY


 

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From: Franklin, LA, USA
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Thank's Guys

I misidentified them as Formation Lights, Sorry.

Thanks Again for the Info. Jason, 51-D GUY

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RE: Formation Lights - 3/11/2008 2:27:42 AM   
tailskid



Posts: 5526
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From: Tolleson, AZ, USA
Status: offline 		P-51 pilots could do as they darn well wanted And who couldn't mistaken that sound <g>

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RE: Formation Lights - 3/11/2008 2:45:51 AM   
gary9648


 

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Status: offline 		Amen Brother!!!

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RE: Formation Lights - 3/11/2008 4:02:09 AM   
Peter_OZ



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From: Brisbane, , AUSTRALIA
Status: offline 		think George Preddy & his brother would have said otherwise . . .

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RE: Formation Lights - 3/11/2008 4:05:42 AM   
tailskid



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RE: Formation Lights - 3/11/2008 4:11:54 AM   
Peter_OZ



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From: Brisbane, , AUSTRALIA
Status: offline 		both were shot down by their own side, George preddy while chasing a FW190 at low level, flew over a bunch of GIs who shot him down with a .50 cal. He died in the crash with a only a few weeks of the war left. His bother dies in a similar fashion not long after.

do a serach on google and yo u will be able to read the full story.

The P51 in my avatar is Major George Preddy's scheme, "Cripes-a-mighty 3rd"

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RE: Formation Lights - 3/11/2008 4:17:55 AM   
tailskid



Posts: 5526
Joined: 11/30/2001
From: Tolleson, AZ, USA
Status: offline 		It would be my guess that happened in the daytime - right? Guess lights wouldn't of made much of a difference when a plane approaching 400 MPH is coming at ya

Was your model a 1/5 Pica kit? I built one and sold it (crap) before it was finished

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RE: Formation Lights - 3/11/2008 3:21:00 PM   
51-D GUY


 

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Hey Gary , Have you found any more info on the recognition lights,


Surely they was'nt just for returning to their field, although what you described makes good sence to me,

But i think there's got to be more uses for them, I did find out their correct color order from leading edge The colors are

RED GREEN AMBER This is all the info i can find, Any more help is greatly appreicated !



Thank's 51-D GUY.

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RE: Formation Lights - 3/11/2008 5:30:47 PM   
Mustang1964


 

Posts: 61
Joined: 10/14/2005
From: Eden, MD, USA
Status: offline 		This is the quote from the P-51 Maintenance Manual

3) Recognition Lights –Early airplanes are equipped with four recognition lights: A white lamp (AN3097-2) on top of the fuselage aft of the enclosure, and a red (AN3096-5), a green (AN3096), and an amber (AN3096-4) lamp grouped together on the underside of the right wing near the tip. A bank of four B-9A control switches on the control panel above the right switch panel. The lamps can be set to burn continuously, or to flash off and on by means of Type 8586 keying switch mounted in a box just above the right switch panel. On the later airplanes, the upper recognition light, control switch, and the wiring are deleted.

Caution
While the airplane is on the ground, do not permit the lights to burn for any length of time, as the head will seriously damage the lens.

Mustang1964

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RE: Formation Lights - 3/11/2008 7:38:37 PM   
51-D GUY


 

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From: Franklin, LA, USA
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Thank's Mustang1964,


I was wondering if they were used during any other time than returning to base,

such as large group formation identification in relation to the Group Leaders ?



Such as Red Lamp for all to Port side of leader,

Green to the Starboard,

& Amber to the Center Above / Below Leader ,


Is there anyone that can Confirm This,

I'm Pretaining to Pre Dawn / Dusk / Night Fighters, As i Doubt these lights were used during Daylight Hours,


I know about the swiches in Cockpit , Bottom of right wing , not to be used on ground for overheating purposes,

What i want to Know is what they are used for, is there Anyone that has more info,

I'm not talking about the Navigation Lights, I also already know about these,


Just Any extra info anyone may have on the Recognition Lights, Under the right Wing Panel, of Most Single engine Allied Fighters

Thank's For the Info Mustang1964, 51-D GUY.



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RE: Formation Lights - 3/11/2008 9:41:46 PM   
E-Gap


 

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Status: offline 		Formation lights are usually found on the top most sides and wings of large aircraft that fly in formation. Differing colored lenses denoted what ever the mission brief said it would. Lenses were quickly changed by the mechanics in short order. Blue lenses as element lead etc. Usually 3 lites along the lateral axis on each wing with 3 down the fuse to the fin. Purpose was to help with radio out missions and joinups before the new multi freq radios came on the scene.

Don't forget the Very pistol adapted to the fuselage connector allowed the pilot to signal with flares.

Early SAC joinups were aided with radio out procedures with the tanker having a 3 bulb rotating beacon on the top of the fuse. Clear lens with differing colored Grimes lite bulb inserted. 2 reds and a blue may be for one bomber with red white red another bomber. don't know if it worked well but it was something that Military insisted be installed per contract.

Newest of military planes have low intensity green panels about the aircraft on sides and tops.

< Message edited by E-Gap -- 3/11/2008 9:45:37 PM >

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RE: Formation Lights - 3/11/2008 10:39:00 PM   
51-D GUY


 

Posts: 138
Joined: 12/28/2004
From: Franklin, LA, USA
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E-Gap, Thanks So Much for the info ,

At the beginning of post i mixed up Formation Lights with Recognition Lights,

I've seen the Formation lights on Bombers such as B-17's & B-24's , you did hit on something about useing color coded lenses for

Group Form up's under radio silence conditions, although the light's in question are on Allied Single Engine Fighters Mostly,

Their found under the bottom of Right wing near the tip paralell with the Fuselage, Colors are

Red, Green, Amber, & are in this order from leading edge to trailing edge

Also i've seen these lights on some Allied Navy Fighter/Bombers located on the bottom of the fuselage near the trailing edge of the wing,



I'm Just curious as what & when these lights was used for,


Thank's Again for your info E-Gap, Any additional info will be Greatly Appreciated !


51-D GUY.









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RE: Formation Lights - 3/12/2008 12:10:11 AM   
samparfitt


 

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