mildenhall D

Location : stamford

just a quick question. why do the mildenhall based KC 135s have a D on the tail instead of a flash with the base name on it or a two letter tail code? its always bugged me why but all the people i have asked dont know so could some kind person help me out please.

Location : Lincolnshire

I believe they carry the 'D' as the Bloody Hundredth B-17's carried a 'D' on the tail during WWII. More info is found at the link provided.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/100th_Air_Refueling_Wing

Hope this helps.

Dinger.

Location : stamford

thanks very much for that dinger.

Location : Newbury berkshire

Very interesting :) 8)

Location : Colchester

Back in the day, bombers had letters on their tails, so that on a raid, they could regroup easier, by spotting the letters on the tail, and joining them.

As has been said in the wiki link, the 100th are the only ones allowed to have their letter on current aircraft, they are also the only wing allowed to have the RAF crest on their tailplanes too.

This was told to us in a 'briefing' during a base visit earlier this year.

Location : stamford

thanks for that. my next question was going to be, why a D ? but you answered that so thankyou.

Subject: Re: mildenhall D 2009-01-12, 06:56

The 100th Bomb Group were based at Thorpe Abbots near Diss during WW2.
They were called the 'Bloody one hundredth' after a disastrous raid when most of the bombers were shot down by the Luftwaffe.

Location : Southwold/Suffolk

Nice museum their on the site of the old airfield worth a visit
andy