Memphis Belle ball turret with end bell cap

astixjr · **Posted:** Wed Oct 17, 2012 3:11 pm

The Liberty Bell Foundation was in town last week with the Memphis Belle so I thought it would be interesting to have somebody hold one of the end bell caps onto the side of the ball turret just to see what it would look like. I was also wondering if the "1" and "2" on my two end bell caps indicated a Left and a Right but this one seemed to fit either side of the turret just fine. I've got the other one apart so that it can be quoted out for replication. I'd like to build eight to ten sets before these originals eventually go to the USAFM. Making a casting was my first choice but some of the newer machine shop equipment may allow for another option. These end caps really make the turret look more like a "ball" so it would be nice to see more B-17s fitted with them. I have to admit though, I'm not sure I have ever seen a WWII era photo of a B-17G ball turret that has end bell caps. Anyone have such a photo?

BCA · **Joined:** Wed Aug 24, 2011 5:36 pm **Posts:** 21

If you want to go the casting route I can do the foundry work. All you need to do is have the patterns and any core boxes required made by a pattern shop. The rest is easy......

See my work here: http://www.blackcrossaviation.com

gary1954 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 17, 2012 5:50 pm

Where in the He double toof picks did you find these caps?

RAMC181 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 17, 2012 6:38 pm

astixjr wrote:

I have to admit though, I'm not sure I have ever seen a WWII era photo of a B-17G ball turret that has end bell caps. Anyone have such a photo?

Hi Al,

You see a number of period photos of these fitted to B-17Es in the ETO, much fewer on B-17Fs and I can't say I've ever seen a combat-theatre photo of them on a B-17G ball turret.
I get the distinct impression they were one of those things that were nice on the original design but quickly proved an unneeded annoyance in real life.

All the best,
PB

gary1954 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 18, 2012 6:57 am

I wonder if the guys doing the dig over in England ever ran across any of these

RAMC181 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 18, 2012 7:12 am

I'm afraid we haven't so far, maybe we will this weekend.

PB

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Thu Oct 18, 2012 2:07 pm

The Belle had hers in place during the end of her combat career. They can be seen in place in the documentary

gary1954 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 18, 2012 3:18 pm

mustangdriver wrote:

The Belle had hers in place during the end of her combat career. They can be seen in place in the documentary

Are they in the parts inventory or did those also mysteriously takeoff during one or more of the pre-Restorations while she was in Memphis..... :axe:

Anyone Know if these are in her inventory of Parts?

APG85 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 18, 2012 9:17 pm

Speaking of the "Belle", how's the restoration going? Any updates? Another thread start perhaps?

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Fri Oct 19, 2012 8:41 am

They were held up on some details that had to get knocked out, but they are at her again full stream. Ill be there next week and will grab some pics

WIXerGreg · **Posted:** Fri Oct 19, 2012 7:04 pm

gary1954 wrote:

Are they in the parts inventory or did those also mysteriously takeoff during one or more of the pre-Restorations while she was in Memphis..... :axe:

Anyone Know if these are in her inventory of Parts?

I have no firsthand knowledge but I'm thinking they may not have them. The turret is completely restored and they aren't on it, or at least they weren't when I saw it in April. The Belle's and Strawberry Bitch's turrets are both in the restoration shop. This is the best picture I have that shows some of both turrets.

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Memphis Belle ball turret with end bell cap

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