b17

[hellcatz]

why in the world does B17G have 12 guns not the thirteen guns the gun was controlled by radio operator

[Krusty]

Later in the war this position was often removed.  It wasn't very effective (limited angle of fire, limited view, the dorsal and tail guns already covered this view) and the radio operator probably had better things to do (*shrug*)

[DoNKeY]

Where was it/where did it cover?

[Serenity]

Originally posted by DoNKeY
Where was it/where did it cover?

On the dorsal spine of the bird, its that dark oval almost in line with the trailing edge of the wing. It was a .30 cal on a flex-mount. It covered the same dorsal-rear arc the dorsal turret did, without the rest of the arc available in the afformentioned turret.

[Guppy35]

Let's clarify.  it was a 50 cal in the radio room.  In the end they lost the gun and the 10th guy taking the crew down to 9 men with the radio man taking one of the waist guns.

later in some bomb groups they removed the chin turret and even the ball turret on the Gs to save weight and crew as the fighter opposition had dwindled down.

You can also find G models without the cheek guns and only the nose turret guns so it would only have 10 MGs.

[PanzerIV]

you can see the gun better there,right where the back slopes down.

[DoNKeY]

Thanks guys, great pics.  Doesn't look/sound like it would be to effective.  I guess thats why the got rid of it.

[PanzerIV]

right

[Serenity]

Originally posted by Guppy35
Let's clarify.  it was a 50 cal in the radio room.  In the end they lost the gun and the 10th guy taking the crew down to 9 men with the radio man taking one of the waist guns.

later in some bomb groups they removed the chin turret and even the ball turret on the Gs to save weight and crew as the fighter opposition had dwindled down.

You can also find G models without the cheek guns and only the nose turret guns so it would only have 10 MGs.

IIRC, it was .30, but Ill go check my books right now.


Edit: Just checked. Youre right, its .50

[Soulyss]

He usually is in these matters.

[Serenity]

Originally posted by Soulyss
He usually is in these matters.

I know, lol. But they B-17 is MY plane, lol. I guess I was thinking of the flex-mount in the nose of the F model.

[DaddyAck]

Oh goody, more lazer guided guns to converve on my 109
(though If I recall correctly that gun was more common on the B-17F)