Ball turret on the B-17 "Reluctant Dragon" at Dyes

[Brad]

The turret wasn't safety wired shut this morning as it has been in the past. I noticed it was pretty complete on the inside. Unfortunately, the rest of the plane is pretty much hollow from the tail to the nose. You can look through the holes for the tail guns and see out the pilots windshields.

[APG85]

WOW! That needs to be locked up before some kid guts it. Thanks for the pictures...

[steve dickey]

Hey Brad, years ago I noticed the same thing and looked inside, like you I was shocked at how complete it was! I had difficulty closing both latches, was one of them still undone?
Also did you see the old pic I had in the "some T-33's" thread of the T-33 on the south side not far from the B-1 line? Did you get a better shot of it or can you for me? Are you already off base? Thanks again.

[groundpounder]

it seems to me that a turret like that should be removed and restored, and a fibreglass replica installed in its place. that turret is amazingly complete in my eyes. surely it could be put to better use than just sitting there waiting to be vandalized. i have no idea what the security is like at the location of this aircraft, but if the o/p was able to get into it its just a matter of time until someone with less honorable intentions figures it out as well. maybe a trade with a flyer ( collings b-24 and planes of fame b-17 comes to mind) that has a turret that is less than complete. its obvious that this plane is going nowhere, so why tempt fate with such a valuable artifact when the rest of the plane is a gutted shell?? my 2 cents.......

[daveymac82c]

I second groundpounder's suggestion.

That turret looks like a real treasure to me too.

Cheers,

David M

[Holedigger]

Anyone know a congressman from that district? That is the kind of thing that would grease the wheels to swap out turrets! Or someone high in the chain of command. For a base commander to make a decision like that would sound like a dangerous career move. In their eyes it may be better they do nothing than make a decision like that!

[astixjr]

I say move the turret inside. Just leave it attached to the airplane.

Looks like maybe a Briggs built unit. I'm shocked to see how complete it is. I wish there was enough money in the Government musuem system to allow for all of these WWII bombers to go inside.

Last edited by astixjr on Wed Nov 19, 2008 11:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Holedigger]

Well, yes moving inside is ALWAYS better, but it would take the place of an operational B-1 or C-130? Even if they did have the hangar space, it goes against years of "Tradition" of weathering planes out at the AFB's main gate!
If we could just get each base to set up a "little" museum that would be a good educational/PR community thing! Get kids interested in real airplanes not just XBox!!

[APG85]

Anyone know a congressman from that district? That is the kind of thing that would grease the wheels to swap out turrets! Or someone high in the chain of command. For a base commander to make a decision like that would sound like a dangerous career move. In their eyes it may be better they do nothing than make a decision like that!

Hate to tell ya, but as important as these things are to us, Wing or Base Commanders have far more pressing issues on their agendas than ball turrets on static B-17's. This issue is best addressed with the owners of the plane - the NMUSAF, and they are unlikely to let go of that turret. In fact, the NMUSAF might not even be aware of how complete it is. If they were, they might grab it for another project i.e. B-24 Strawberry B. Isn't that turrent currently installed on Shoo Shoo Baby?

[B-17 Buff]

[quote="astixjr"]I say move the turret inside. Just leave attached to the airplane. quote]

I'd have to agree, although it is nice for the public to see these a/c outside as 'gate guards' i believe they've served their time at these posts. ww2 a/c deserve a comfortable protected enviroment now (hey, wouldnt you want that at their age??! )

Replace with something a little 'newer', bring 'em in, promote, preserve and protect in a warm dry hanger....

[mustangdriver]

Anyone know a congressman from that district? That is the kind of thing that would grease the wheels to swap out turrets! Or someone high in the chain of command. For a base commander to make a decision like that would sound like a dangerous career move. In their eyes it may be better they do nothing than make a decision like that!

Hate to tell ya, but as important as these things are to us, Wing or Base Commanders have far more pressing issues on their agendas than ball turrets on static B-17's. This issue is best addressed with the owners of the plane - the NMUSAF, and they are unlikely to let go of that turret. In fact, the NMUSAF might not even be aware of how complete it is. If they were, they might grab it for another project i.e. B-24 Strawberry B. Isn't that turrent currently installed on Shoo Shoo Baby?

It is, and there are plans to swap turrets to get SSB a real ball turret that we hanve already finished, and SSB's real turret back.