Blind Bombing: “Mickey” During the frequently cloudy conditions over Europe, USAAF bombers could not bomb visually. In these conditions, USAAF heavy bombers used a radar system called H2X and code-named “Mickey.” Mickey-equipped “pathfinder” aircraft gave formations the signal to bomb. On B-24 pathfinders, the H2X radome replaced the ball turret. B-17 pathfinder Mickey station—the circular scope in the middle is the display screen. H2X was developed from the RAF’s night bombing system and first used by the USAAF in early 1944. H2X screen showing the Dutch coast southwest of Rotterdam—land is indicated by white. Although Mickey was not as accurate as visual bombing, it permitted strategic attacks to continue in spite of bad weather. Related Fact Sheets The Memphis Belle: American Icon and 25th Mission Memphis Belle Crew The “Memphis Belle” and Nose Art 26th Mission: War Bond Tour “Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress” Heavy Bomber “Firsts” Combat Aircraft to Museum Artifact Crippling the Nazi War Machine: USAAF Strategic Bombing in Europe Enabling Technologies Key Leaders Early Operations (1942 to mid-1943) - Eighth Air Force in England Ninth/Twelfth Air Forces in the Mediterranean Combat Box/Communication and Life at 25K Keeping them Flying: Mechanics and Armorers Combined Bomber Offensive: Summer 1943 to Victory Bigger Raids, Bigger Losses, and Crisis Deadly Skies over Europe (Luftwaffe defense) Bomber Crew Protection Operation Tidalwave (Ploesti, 1 Aug 43) Regensburg/Schweinfurt (17 Aug 43) Black Thursday/Schweinfurt (14 Oct 43) Fifteenth Air Force (created Sep 43) Gunners Women’s Army Corps Fighter Escort: Little Friends Big Week (20-25 Feb 44) Target Berlin Operation Frantic: Shuttle Raids to the Soviet Union Blind Bombing D-Day Support Strategic Bombing Victorious Epilogue Return to the B-17F Memphis Belle Fact Sheet Return to the WWII Gallery list