Warbird Information Exchange

Question: Are there any flying B-17's with an operational chin turret?

Question 2: Are there any original, restorable chin turrets available out there, and how much would one cost?

Thanks in advance.
Chris

Bump.

Can anyone answer this question for him?

Sentimental Journey's chin turret is complete and operational short of the cable drive for the sight and a sight and mount.

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Matt Gunsch, A&P, IA, Warbird maint and restorations
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Cott,

I know of one fairly complete turret in a box that may (or may not) someday be installed in a flying B-17. It isn't for sale, and I don't have any idea what one would cost if you discovered an example. Try here: http://www.depot41.com/turretpts.htm

Scott

I would think that Evergreens is complete.God knows they have everything else in that bird.

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Hang The Expense

The turret on 909 can be manually manipulated...hehe....and it is a goal to get ALL the turrets running at some point. Taigh...where are you!!!

jim harley

Hey Jim does our Ball turret work OK on 909? it was recoverd in PA in a guy's basement. How is the Top Turret?

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

Like most turrets, the Bedix chin turret for the B-17G is pretty hard to find. There is a big turret collector in GA who has a nice one that getting close to being operational. I suspect that the gunsight and control system are the hardest parts to find. By the time I left Evergreen in late 91' the chin turret was still not complete but maybe they found the missing parts after I left the company.

909's Sperry upper is a very early model. It might even be an A-1. In any event, it's the earliest one that I've seen actually installed in a B-17.

I have a feeling that the Collings Foundation B-17 and B-24 will eventually have fully functioning turrets and that's going to be a very interesting sight!

*Hey Taigh, I think Browning .50s are back down below $10K each and the rounds are back below $5.00 a pop so maybe it's time to "arm up".

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Albert Stix Jr.
"Work is the curse of the drinking class"

Browning 50's are still in the $20k neighborhood. Ammo can be had for $3 a round or possibly less if you have some connections. If anyone SERIOUSLY wants to acquire legal registered 50's, PM me. I have a friend with 5 ground guns (which can be converted for aircraft use) and 2 aircraft guns (one is an original High Standard which may well be one of the rarest on the civilian register)..... I'll put you in touch with him.

Mark H

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Fly safe or you get to meet me .......

Still at $20K? I guess my buddy got a good deal on the three he just got but then I never asked him if they were dealer samples or tax stamp transfers. He is both a collector and a dealer so maybe he just got lucky with somebody who needed to sell in a hurry.

I remember when Mike Smith asked me to put together a proposal to arm up Evergreen's B-17G so he could take it to his father and see if he would bless the deal. Curtis Earl offered to help at $6K per gun for twelve guns. Back in 1990, that was a good deal but the response from Mike's father was filled with words that I can't print in this post. In hindsight, it's probably a good thing that he said no.

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Albert Stix Jr.
"Work is the curse of the drinking class"

The ball turret in 909 is fully operational and over the last winter the turret ring was installed so it sits properly...something to do with spacers. Taigh knows more about that stuff than I...I think it had B-24 parts intermingled. The goal is to get all the turrets working in both the 17 and 24. The top turret for the 25 is still being overhauled but it should be working as well. I used to have a video on youtube with ball turret footage but it was pulled for copyright violations...stupid laws. Taigh is really pulling out all the stops for the "bomber camp"...if you ever wanted to get into the ball turret in flight this is your opportunity. If you think you can't fit I am 6' 180, Taigh is 6'2-3 2?? and he got in just fine. It is actually pretty comfortable. On one flight I spent about an hour and a half facing forward watching the earth go by and I was perfectly comfortable...to the point of being able to stretch me legs out.

jim

Thanks for the information. I'd like to get the chin turret on Aluminum Overcast working, but we are quite a ways away. We did install the bombardier's instrument panel (airspeed and altimeter) on shock mounts as per the Boeing print. Check it out if you see the plane on tour this summer and let me know what you think.

I have been thinking about trying to do one of the camps. IT would be awesome. I however will not be sitting in the ball turret. Ha Ha

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

Hello,

Sorry I missed this thread but I have been out of good internet for a while.

My friend Mark and I spent a week working on 909 getting the bomb racks running for Bomber Crew Fantasy Camp. We also worked a little on the ball turret situation.

When I get a chance I will post some pictures of the work.

Jim, I am writing this from Captain Bob's office... I miss you man! I hope the ratings are going well. Wayne is on his inst comml check ride right now with Rabb.

More later,

Taigh

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Thank you!

Taigh Ramey
Vintage Aircraft, Stockton, California
http://www.twinbeech.com
'KEEP ‘EM FLYING…FOR HISTORY!'

Any photos???

Thanks!

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S.