Mitchell observed from a DH.4 while Martin bombers, Handley Page O/400s, and Caproni Ca.5s formed the heavy striking force. The mix of American, British, and Italian designs reflected the aircraft available to the Air Service. The Vickers Vimy existed elsewhere, but was not part of this force. Good weather was necessary for both flying and safe inspection of the targets. German destroyers, Frankfurt, and the prewar dreadnought Ostfriesland offered no maneuver or resistance. Their lack of crews and damage control limited what the sinking results could establish about a defended fleet in combat.
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Project B's bombers, weather limits, and uncrewed targets
The test force combined American, British, and Italian bomber designs against old, stationary ships with no crews, maneuver, fighters, antiaircraft fire, or damage control.