favorite gunner position in a b 17

[J dog]

what position would you want the most?

 

[J dog]

I want a nose gunner because the scenery is beautiful that is with the exception flak isn't bursting around you!

 

[T Bolt]

What about top turret?

 

[tyrodtom]

You'd have a outstanding view from the ball turret, but i'll bet nobody picks it.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Why anybody pick any of them? I doubt any of them were "favored".

 

[tyrodtom]

I think he means if you were a gunner on a B-17, and you had a choice, what gunner position would you rather be ?

 

[Readie]

In the spirit of the thread....

Hard choice. Ummm...waist gunner?
Maybe I wouldn't feel as trapped as other positions.

A lot of ammo !!

 

[fubar57]

I read that the ball turret was the "safest" place to be and being a short-a$$, that's where they would stuff me. Back to work.......

Geo

 

[J dog]

What about top turret?

yes me doing this early in the morning I was an idiot and forgot that. If you say that as your choice just comment it! But come on who hasn't had one of those mornings?

 

[herman1rg]

Chin turret on a B-17G

 

[J dog]

I think he means if you were a gunner on a B-17, and you had a choice, what gunner position would you rather be ?

yes that is exactly it so wait so how'd you know? are you stalking me!? oh wait that's just me.

 

[T Bolt]

yes me doing this early in the morning I was an idiot and forgot that. If you say that as your choice just comment it! But come on who hasn't had one of those mornings?

I would pick top turret. Nice view and that's where my dad was in 24's

 

[Matt308]

I've got 8th AF stats on accuracy and if I recall correctly, the tail position was most accurate. This same analysis also has percentages of likelihood of survival for each position. I wanna say that ball turret had least risk of not returning injured/alive.

 

[tyrodtom]

How likely was it for a ball turret gunner to be able the get out of that turret, put on his parachute, and survive, when a B-17 was shot down ?

 

[GrauGeist]

I want a nose gunner because the scenery is beautiful that is with the exception flak isn't bursting around you!

You do know that the nose position was primarily the Luftwaffe's favorite target also, right?

 

[Lucky13]

Being too tall for the ball turret, I think that I'd make myself at home as waist gunner....

 

[Wayne Little]

Think I'll go with the top spot....

 

[J dog]

You do know that the nose position was primarily the Luftwaffe's favorite target also, right?

yes but i love a good fight!

 

[Matt308]

You do know that the nose position was primarily the Luftwaffe's favorite target also, right?

I believe you to be correct, but not by a huge percentage. I really should pull those 8th AF stats out. Perhaps this weekend sometime. Off to soccer.

 

[tyrodtom]

Let's think of the disadvantages of some of the positions.
Ball turret- couldn't be very comfortable, and unlikely you'll be able to abandone aircraft very quickly.
Waist gun- drafty as heck, think of frostbite.
Nose guns- exposed, plexiglas in front of you isn't going to stop much.
Tailgun- all by your lonesome back there, and also one of the Luftwaffe's favorite target.
Top gunner- can't think of anything yet, but there's gotta be something bad about it.