Best non-US remote gun turret of WW2?

[GrauGeist]

The B-29 had an analog computer running its guidance. I have to expect the Germans and Italians had no such tech, and instead there was some sort of offset gunsight for which a set range had to be dialed in for where gunner's aim and turret fire converged.

Much like the Me210 and Me410 barbett turrets, they were manually aimed via hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

The gunsight for the systems was fairly advanced, but nowhere near as advanced as the B-29's system.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

That wasn't a power turret.

That's my point

 

[JDCAVE]

Pat: I think it's a stretch to imply that the rear turret in any British aircraft was comfortable! JMO.

Harris made no secret of his unhappiness with the defensive armament in his aircraft and his constant fight with the Air Ministry on the subject. His Despatch on War Operations details his concerns. That and the lack of night fighter escort. And while the AGLT was installed in some aircraft of some squadrons, the kinks hadn't been entirely resolved and the gunners remained concerned about the turret firing on friendlies.

Jim

 

[Sergio]

And you're comparing one of the better British gun turrets to a "gun position" rather than a powered turret, in the B-17F. This was later improved upo

And you're comparing one of the better British gun turrets to a "gun position" rather than a powered turret, in the B-17F. This was later improved upon

View attachment 686503

For the record, the caption is incorrect. If this installation really is 5 inches shorter, that's 12.5cm not 2.5cm.

Alternatively, if it was 2.5cm shorter, that equates to saving just one inch.

I say this just in case anybody refers to these dimensions in their own learned article or book.

And you're comparing one of the better British gun turrets to a "gun position" rather than a powered turret, in the B-17F. This was later improved upon

View attachment 686503

 

[nuuumannn]

My papers give the RAE credit for this system but Boulton Paul would seem to make more sense. Only additional info I have is the small blurb from R. Wallace Clarke's RAF Gun Turrets book (which also puts the system under Boulton Paul).

The system was developed by Boulton Paul and sent to the RAE for testing, hence the confusion. The turret was known as the Twin Cannon Barbette Defence system and was entirely electric in operation. It ws fitted aboard a Lancaster at Farnborough in 1944 but it was not proceeded with because the Air Ministry didn't believe it was worth implementing at that stage of the war and Lancasters continued with their original Nash & Thompson turrets. The Avro Lincoln's nose gun position was a Boulton Paul Type F remotely operated barbette, the operator situated directly below the gun position in the extensive glazing. it, too was electrically operated.

Good example. Reminds me of those positioned on the Piaggio P.108's engine nacelles.

I remember reading (can't remember where) that the system was terribly unreliable and frequently broke down. Developed by Breda, it was an electrical system, but one criticism was that the remote turrets didn't have a very high number of rounds per gun, and they obviously couldn't be accessed when the guns jammed. The nose and dorsal guns were also powered on the P.108, but the retractable belly gun position was manually operated and was akin to the old dust bin fitted to earlier Italian bombers. I'll see if I can find the source I read this stuff...

 

[SpicyJuan11]

The Me323, BV222 and He177 were some that had remote turrets but they didn't seem to be very effective against attackers.

Why is that? Was it an accuracy issue or was the armament simply too weak?

 

[GrauGeist]

Why is that? Was it an accuracy issue or was the armament simply too weak?

Their remote turret mechanisms were too complex and prone to failing.

The turrets in the Ar240 and Me410 worked well enough, but accuracy was an ongoing issue that was never fully resolved.

The armament in the remote turrets typically were 20mm or 13mm, so they could certainly pack a punch.

 

[Capt. Vick]

The Me323, BV222 and He177 were some that had remote turrets but they didn't seem to be very effective against attackers.

I am unaware of the remote turrets on the Bv 222 or the Me 323. Can you provide information?

 

[GrauGeist]

I am unaware of the remote turrets on the Bv 222 or the Me 323. Can you provide information?

I don't have my books available (still), but the Me323 had two remote "barbette" style turrets situated atop the mainwing, located between the outer and middle engines.

The BV222's remote turrets were located similar to the Me323's, being located directly behind each outboard engine.

 

[Shortround6]

There seems to be little doubt that the BV 222 had turrets on the wings. The question is if they were remote control or manned. I haven't seen any pictures but models (?) seem to have transparent domes/canopies. Descriptions say turrets, no mention of remote control.

 

[Capt. Vick]

Those were both manned.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Some info here.

German Remote Controlled Turrets

Hello, could somebody please give me a quick run-down of German remote-controlled turrets and how they worked? I heard that they were different from the B-29 (as it had a fire-control computer of sorts) but closer to the A-26 Invader which used periscopic sites (like in German aircraft).

ww2aircraft.net

 

[tyrodtom]

The Me323 had big enough wings that there was room for the mechanics to access the engines from the rear while inflight.
So I would think that they manned those wing turrets,