Posted 7 years ago
fortapache
(3289 items)
This the Flying Fortress Miss Angela from the Palm Spring Air Museum. It is a G model which is the most common version found. It has the distinctive chin mounted machine guns.
The engines have been named on this one and they do not inspire confidence. Grumpy and Sneezy are on the starboard wing and Sleepy and Doc are on the port wing. The names are probably descriptive. Having seen a few B-17s start up I can see where they came up with the names. Much sputtering and smoke and coughing but they all eventually get going.
The last photo shows the inside of the ball turret. The sign is on the seat. The .50 caliber machine guns were on either side of the gunner's head which must have been very pleasant. The curved pieces next to the round window is where the feet went. It does seem a bit cramped.
what a super informative post & wonderful piccys great stuff !!!!!!!! fortapache
Happy 4th of July fortapache!
Thank you very much MALKEY. You are too kind.
Thank you very much roddyq!
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In WWII, bombers shot down more enemy fighters than Allied fighters ?Never having seen a 17, one gunner sits in the turret, so 1 or two in the ball ?
The B-17 had a crew of 10 total 1- Pilot, 1- Co-pilot 1 -Bombardier, 1 -Navigator, 1-Radioman, 1-Tail-Gunner, 1- upper turret gunner, 2- waist Gunners, 1-Ball Turret Gunner. This is a straight from the hip list and I may be in error somewhere.
Nice Posting Though. Thank You fortapache
So the guy in the ball was 2 independent 50's flopping around(expression). I know that "feeling" of opening up with full-auto, but can't imagine having a Browning .50 gripped in each hand !
Thank you very much bb2. Yes the bombers shot down more fighters than the fighters. My guess in 1 guy in 10 was any good at taking on the American bombers and the others were the ones getting shot down or staying out of range. The ball turret gunner had his head between the receivers so he had a fifty banging away in each ear. Must have been a wild ride.
Thank you very much Padit. Off the top of my head you are correct. I can't think of any other crew positions.
Thank you very much Oroyoroyisthatyourhorse.
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Thank you Rick55.
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They had a B-17 & a B-29 here in Lexington, KY as week. Akrodog & I went out to see them. Now, I've seen a B-17.
Excellent. I hope you found it to be all that. How about a B-24? I have some of those too.
I take it the B-29 was Fifi.
Yeah Fort, Fifi. Seen B-25's but no B-24. Helped recover part of a B-25 that crashed in a lake in 1945. Got the general's plaque engines and all sorts of things. Research found that it was carrying a courier with a brief case chained to his wrist & heading to Los Alamos from DC. Found bones that were turned over to graves registration. The gov't. didn't like our diving on it. Briefcase was not recovered & we were told that if we found it, to call them immediately.