The B-17s took off from Mitchel Field at 08:45 and cruised east from Sandy Hook at 170 mph on a true course of 101 degrees[REF][REF] through rain, hail, downdrafts, and an intense headwind that reduced their ground speed by 11.5 mph [REF].
At 12:23, the bombers broke out of a squall line, and Cousland in No. 81 immediately sighted the Rex.