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Hi Doug!Hello, I recently discovered this forum and this thread while working on some research for a model project involving B-25 41-13088 Chatter Box. All of you are a wealth of information, I thank you for what you have accumulated here. Keeping in mind earlier comments that each B-25's situation was often unique, is there any knowledge on at what point the ventral turrets were removed on these early strafer conversions, on Chatter Box in particular but info on any of them would be helpful if I end up having to make an informed guess.
Additionally, when the ventral turrets were removed, is there any knowledge on how the resulting hole was treated? Were they skinned over to smooth the surface or simply left open? I would think that leaving them open would cause increased drag and reduced performance, but I did not want to entirely dismiss the possibility.
I remember reading that an additional fuel tank was often put in when the ventral turret was removed, so this may or may not also be part of the answer.
Thank you all in advance for any help you may be able to offer.
Doug
Hi Doug!
2. When the turrets were removed the openings were skinned over (exterior) with sheets metal. The type of cover differs: square sheet over the round opening and guns' cut outs, round sheet over the opening only, square sheet over the round opening only etc.
I read some memoirs of a former B-25-pilot, telling a story when on an A-24 (the training variant of the B-25) without belly turret, a student went through both covers, plywood and metal and just "disappeared" . Only the courage of the second student who instantly caught him and could pull him slowly back, saved his life.
Trainer versions were originally called AT-24s.The rest of your info is pure bacon but I think the highlighted is definitely an urban legend so I only gave you winner.
If the metal plate was held on with so few rivets or screws that a person falling on it could knock it free then airflow would definitely rip it off.
Also as far as I know all B-25s trainers were designated TB-25x, and the A-24 Banshee was definitely the USAAF version of the SBD Dauntless.
THIS WAS EXACTLY THE CASE - the airflow ripped it off.The rest of your info is pure bacon but I think the highlighted is definitely an urban legend so I only gave you winner.
If the metal plate was held on with so few rivets or screws that a person falling on it could knock it free then airflow would definitely rip it off.
Also as far as I know all B-25s trainers were designated TB-25x, and the A-24 Banshee was definitely the USAAF version of the SBD Dauntless.
Doug,Sadly, while I see a large number of B-25 related posts, my search abilities have failed me in finding the other, more general B-25 thread you mention above. Unless it is starting me straight in the face and I am just not seeing it. If you still have any patience left after my other mundane questions, what is the title of the post?
Doug
Great photo, Paul! Shows the structure of the side walls as well.Here is a good shot of Mississippi Dream with bottom turret removed. Picture I think I found on web years ago. Link to more info on Mississippi Dream.
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Your welcome DougI apologize for my late reply back to this. Thanks to both of you for the additional pictures and information. As you both mention in the B-25 weapons thread, there is an amazing variety of modifications that were done to these versatile aircraft. Partially maddening to try to make sense of it all, but mostly fascinating to see their ingenuity, and all in the middle of a war in an austere theater.
Thank you both again for the additional info, pictures, and help.
Doug