This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
Thu May 10, 2007 8:14 pm
Woops! More turret photos have downloaded today from my pokey slow internet provider. (ATT thinks this place is the sticks). CAPflyer-any chance of someone perching in the turret for photos for a frame of reference?
Canso42
Thu May 10, 2007 11:09 pm
Doubtful in it's current state. It's pretty bad inside, lots of spiderwebs and the seat may not be wholly sound (not to mention the stirrups are missing).
If we clean it up some (get the cobwebs out, clean the seats and such) we may be able to do that, but it'd need to be on a more sturdy support (the "pallet" it's on may or may not be able to hold much more than the turret).
The best size reference I can give you immediately is that it's not much larger than a B-17 turret internally. The outer frame makes it look larger than it is since it was built as a complete installation. Unlike the B-17 ball where it was supported by internal bracing, this one is self-braced and bolted directly to the airframe (or so it appears from what I can see on it).
Thu May 10, 2007 11:15 pm
I do want to add one thing to this - when I talked to our wing leader (Charlie Wood) about this turret about 3 or 4 months ago, he indicated that he would still love to see this piece of history restored (if only cosmetically) and displayed in the hangar. The only problem is that no one's been able to spend much time on it due to continuing maintenance on our flying aircraft, much less do the research needed to be able to even start a restoration. If anyone on here is interested in helping in the project, just visit our website (
www.dfwwing.com) and get in contact with Charlie, I'm sure he'd appreciate anyone who wants to give us a hand with this piece of history as the turret's all we have (no documentation, no "spare" parts, nothing other than what you see in the pictures).
Fri May 11, 2007 11:36 pm
CAPFlyer,
Let me do some research at Maxwell on that turret and I just may be in for a winter project! It would even fit in the kitchen with a little work!!!
Scott
Sat May 12, 2007 7:48 am
Thanks you! Feel free to come out and take a personal look at it on any weekend, there's at least a few people there.
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