favorite gunner position in a b 17

• Mar 15, 2013

• #1

J

J dog

Airman 1st Class

113

3

Dec 15, 2012

Eastern PA

what position would you want the most?

 

• Mar 15, 2013

• Thread starter
• #2

J

J dog

Airman 1st Class

113

3

Dec 15, 2012

Eastern PA

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

 

• Mar 15, 2013

• #3

T Bolt

Colonel

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Mar 24, 2010

Chicago, Illinois

What about top turret?

 

• Mar 15, 2013

• #4

T

tyrodtom

Senior Master Sergeant

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Sep 6, 2010

pound va

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

 

• Mar 15, 2013

• #5

DerAdlerIstGelandet

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

 

• Mar 15, 2013

• #6

T

tyrodtom

Senior Master Sergeant

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pound va

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 ?

 

• Mar 15, 2013

• #7

Readie

Chief Master Sergeant

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87

Apr 15, 2011

Plymouth, England

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 !!

 

• Mar 15, 2013

• #8

fubar57

General

32,891

19,387

Nov 22, 2009

The Jungles of Canada

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

 

• Mar 15, 2013

• Thread starter
• #9

J

J dog

Airman 1st Class

113

3

Dec 15, 2012

Eastern PA

T Bolt said:

What about top turret?

Click to expand...

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?

 

• Mar 15, 2013

• #10

herman1rg

Tech Sergeant

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Dec 3, 2008

Chin turret on a B-17G

 

• Mar 15, 2013

• Thread starter
• #11

J

J dog

Airman 1st Class

113

3

Dec 15, 2012

Eastern PA

tyrodtom said:

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 ?

Click to expand...

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

 

• Mar 15, 2013

• #12

T Bolt

Colonel

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Mar 24, 2010

Chicago, Illinois

J dog said:

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?

Click to expand...

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

 

• Mar 15, 2013

• #13

Matt308

Glock Perfection

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Apr 12, 2005

Washington State

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.

 

• Mar 16, 2013

• #14

T

tyrodtom

Senior Master Sergeant

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Sep 6, 2010

pound va

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 ?

 

• Mar 16, 2013

• #15

GrauGeist

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J dog said:

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

Click to expand...

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

 

• Mar 16, 2013

• #16

Lucky13

Forum Mascot

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Aug 21, 2006

In my castle....

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

 

• Mar 16, 2013

• #17

Wayne Little

Moderator

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Adelaide Sth. Aust.

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

 

• Mar 16, 2013

• Thread starter
• #18

J

J dog

Airman 1st Class

113

3

Dec 15, 2012

Eastern PA

GrauGeist said:

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

Click to expand...

yes but i love a good fight!

 

• Mar 16, 2013

• #19

Matt308

Glock Perfection

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Apr 12, 2005

Washington State

GrauGeist said:

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

Click to expand...

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.

 

• Mar 16, 2013

• #20

T

tyrodtom

Senior Master Sergeant

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Sep 6, 2010

pound va

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.