B-17 Chin Turret query

RAMC181 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 11, 2011 1:11 pm

Does anyone know when this variant of chin turret was introduced?

Looking at photos of 44-83884 at Barksdale AFB it seems she has this type fitted, albeit with the sliding panels missing.
LINKY to nice big photo.

As an aside, does anyone have a diagram showing how the zipper sliders on the regular type of chin turret attach to the gun barrels?

All the best,
PB

the330thbg · **Joined:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:06 pm **Posts:** 2713

Like this!

Obviously the canvas was originally attached with rivets(must have been fun to replace). I imagine they tore quite a bit being at high altitude and stuck zippers etc.

RAMC181 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 11, 2011 1:45 pm

I'm trying to see how this barrel tube fits in relation to the zipper casting:

PB

the330thbg · **Joined:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:06 pm **Posts:** 2713

That is obviously a type of 'muffler' to keep the gun barrels from lighting the canvas on fire. It looks like this would attach to the bracket that the barrel goes through as it comes out of the canvas opening.

You are looking for the 'bits' that go on behind the canvas and zipper. Looks like that could be the piece that attached to the 'Guide Springs' in the illustration above? Scott? Where r you?

I bet the Collings folks could assist?

Second Air Force · **Posted:** Fri Feb 11, 2011 2:27 pm

I'll look through my stuff tonight, Paul. I should have the IPC for the turret. Off to work........

Scott

whistlingdeath77 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 11, 2011 4:01 pm

man i love that b-17. queen of the skies

Fortress Fan · **Posted:** Fri Feb 11, 2011 4:22 pm

Looks like its bolted to the cooling jacket

the330thbg · **Joined:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:06 pm **Posts:** 2713

That is it!

Cool!

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Sat Feb 12, 2011 2:16 am

I've always been curious as to just how well those zippers actually worked in service. Seems like they would be prone to jamming.

SN

RAMC181 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 12, 2011 3:15 pm

Thanks for all the responses, the things were hiding in plain sight all along.

More variations on a theme...
Oh dear, what can of turrety worms have I opened this time?

Canvas flush with the turret skin, broken zipper on right side of shot:

Canvas recessed into slots:

What seem to be zipperless canvas boots:

And when all else fails, nothing at all:

All the best,
PB

the330thbg · **Joined:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:06 pm **Posts:** 2713

Lol. That last shot shows the groundcrew were tired of replacing that darn canvas!!!

spriso · **Posted:** Sat Feb 12, 2011 10:55 pm

I have a question about the B-17 chin turret: Why are they rotated to the side when the aircraft are parked? I have wondered about this for years and have asked several B-17 vets, and I have yet to find out the answer... The only thing I could figure is that it gets the guns out of the way for trucks, or other objects passing in front of the aircraft.

Can anyone enlighten me on the subject?

Thanks!

Michael

the330thbg · **Joined:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:06 pm **Posts:** 2713

It frees up the access doors in the rear for reloading and gun inspection.

spriso · **Posted:** Sat Feb 12, 2011 11:27 pm

Quote:

It frees up the access doors in the rear for reloading and gun inspection.

Where is the light-bulb icon (for my ah-ha moment?!) :wink:

Now it makes total sense...

I have never seen images of that procedure being done... then it would have been obvious!

Thanks for your reply.

Michael

whistlingdeath77 · **Posted:** Sun Feb 13, 2011 11:32 am

i thought that the chin turret was swung so it would not interfere side with the bomb site during a bomb run. Also, to clean and take the guns out, it had to be swung to the side. I thought i read that somewhere but i could be off

Warbird Information Exchange

B-17 Chin Turret query

Who is online