PB4Y Question...

[michaelharadon]

How useful were all those turrets? I mean, jeez, talk about a plane with turrets syndrome....were they attacked all that much and so they were godsends, or were they more an idea that was good at the time? Were there gunners who became aces, or were the long patrol flights a chance to catch up on their reading?

And...if anyone knows, I'd love to know how effective the side blister turrets were. I'm fascinated by them; they look so cool...

Thanks in advance to those who post.

Michael

[Second Air Force]

According to several sources I have seen the PB4Y-1 and -2 were credited with over 300 aerial victories including 124 multi-engined machines. Google "PB4Y aerial victories" for a variety of interesting info.

Scott

[Steve S]

Bill Jollife- A good friend who has passed on was a flight engineer on 4y's and saw combat in the pacific. He told me that the japanese fighters wouldn't mess with them as the turrets were so good adn accurate (compensating gun sights). As the 4y's would go out hunting in pairs with no fighter support (and at very low level) it was really critical that they could protect themselves.

Also keep in mind that the side turrest actually converge fire below the aircraft (notice how the turrets are offset outside the fuesalage) and so they did a lot of strafing on enemy shpping. I have never confirmed this fact but once was told that the navy 4y squadrons sank as much merchant shipping as the submarines did.

Steve S

[Pogo]

(notice how the turrets are offset outside the fuesalage)

The LSFM PB4Y.

[YAF340]

I have had a few request for a link since the new Yankee site does not have the photo gallery link up yet. http://public.fotki.com/Kos/members_pho ... ner--a-ph/ I know the name is not correct, I'm working n that. JOE

[Jimmy in Texas]

Kurt,

How close is the Lone Star PB4Y-2 to flying?

Jimmy in Texas
Pasadena, Texas