Radio Operator's Gun on B-17

[AirLynx]

I would like to have the option to load the radio operator's .50 cal. on the B-17.

Some G models had the gun whereas others did not.

I see no reason why it shouldn't be added.

EDIT: A link to some information on the radio operator's duties:
http://www.azcaf.org/pages/crew/radio.html

[MAINER]

+1 I have always wondered why they dont have it...

[Ack-Ack]

Most crews removed the gun.

ack-ack

[Karnak]

We have a late B-17G with a Cheyenne tail turret and staggered waist guns.  The radio gun was not present on the majority (all?) of those.

[AirLynx]

There is some information about the gun positions here:
http://northstargallery.com/aircraft/b17/about.htm

It's not specific, but it implies that the removal of the radio gun was one of the last modifications.

[colmbo]

Later model Gs did not have the radio room gun because it was found to be ineffective.

[Volron]

Now if we had the F and no Radio gun, I'd be more inclined to support.  If I recall correctly, the G model only had them at first out of factory but were removed when they arrived at the field.  They did not install them at the factory very shortly after, and started coming in without them.  The F's had them, but prior to the G's introduction, they started to remove them because of they were ineffective.

Now, wish for the F model with a radio gun.   That get's a +1 from me.

[Guppy35]

Count the guys in this B17G crew picture.

9 of em.  Guess which gunner position was eliminated?   The gun was essentially ineffective, and removing one guy from the crew helped in any number of ways, including how many guys might be lost if a 17 went down.  So in combat the radio operator used one of the waist guns.

[EskimoJoe]

Count the guys in this B17G crew picture.

9 of em.  Guess which gunner position was eliminated?   The gun was essentially ineffective, and removing one guy from the crew helped in any number of ways, including how many guys might be lost if a 17 went down.  So in combat the radio operator used one of the waist guns.

(Image removed from quote.)

I love that picture, can I use it as my background?

[B-17]

I don't think that they removed the crew member-- I think the wop just doubled up as a gunner. When they took out one of the guns, they lost one of their responsabilities.

[Guppy35]

I don't think that they removed the crew member-- I think the wop just doubled up as a gunner. When they took out one of the guns, they lost one of their responsabilities.

Originally the B-17 crew was 10 men.  Pilot, Co-Pilot, Bombardier, Navigator, Top Turret/Engineer, Radio-op/Gunner,Ball Turret Gunner.Right Waist,Left Waist.Tail Gunner

Later it was reduced by one man when the radio room gun position was gone so it was a 9 man crew.

[Guppy35]

I love that picture, can I use it as my background?

Feel Free

[JohnnyHeelz]

Does that mean they didn't have a radio anymore?

[B-17]

Does that mean they didn't have a radio anymore?

That's what i was thinking-- they still needed someone to keep communications going, right?

[blood_scout67]

+1 because more fire power is alway welome