German Guncam footage

[the lancaster kicks ass]

well the bomb aimer got a damn good view of the target, and when lit up it would be spectacular...........

 

[evangilder]

I often thought that it must have been a heck of a sight to see, especially the night bombing missions. With the flashes and smoke, it must have been something.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

i'd love to see if but only if i knew i was safe like, if you know waht i mean.............

 

[evangilder]

I know what you mean. Something to see, but not while being shot at!

 

[Anonymous]

oxygen bottles were used on B-17's as I have mission reports for January 14, 1945 where the US 2nd bg group were devastated by Sturm Fw's if II.Sturm/JG 300. Several cases of suriving crewmen noting this before bailing out.

O2 bottles were carried stowed in case the O2 generator failed (or was damaged) or there was a breach of a line. I don't think the pilots or crew relied on them as a primary source of O2, and if stowed they were reasonably well protected.

=S=

Lunatic

 

[Anonymous]

O2 bottle most certainly were used in US aircraft. The F2 oxygen tank was carried in the P-51 and the P-47, probably several others as well. The bombers carried O2 tanks in static and portable configurations. Portables enabled them to move around the bomber when needed.

Aiming at the cockpit was so effective because there was no armor to protect the pilot.

I believe the only O2 tanks on US fighters were for emergency reserve. They didn't carry enough O2 to last the whole of a mission, just enough to cover an emergency at altitude.

I could be wrong, it's been a long time since I read about the use of O2 generators vs. bottles.

=S=

Lunatic

 

[Erich]

=S=

I am not sure where the Oxy bottles were carried but it does mention in numerous reports of things going boom within the heavies and total chaos ensued. a death-trap, besides watching crewmen get de-capitated and holes being blown out of the fuselage and the engines being ripped apart............watching the neighboring heavies getting blown up was grim enough, not having to deal with it on a personal level.

 

[evangilder]

Well, if you have ever walked through a B-17 or B-24, there are O2 bottles in alot of different places. Going through the rear door on a B-24, there are 4 of them directly above you, good sized ones. I don't know if they were reserve or not, but certainly were not something I'd wnt to be near when the fit hit the shan. I will dig up my pictures and post a few. They are there, quite a few.

 

[Erich]

duh, man I am so dense today, can't write, think or.....yes of course pics. have them both of B-24's and the B-17, visited on several occassions at our local goofy Flügplatz

Evan good reminder

E ♣

 

[evangilder]

I found some shots of the O2 bottles in my collection. Some of these are mine, some are from others. The B-17 had several O2 bottles under the floor, so they were not as visible in normal viewing. Whereas on the B-24, they were obviously more visible in the aft section.

While there seems to be a question as to which oxygen system they used, O2 generators or bottled, they had bottles inside. Needless to say, when hit by an incendiary round, it adds extra explosive effect. A nightmare scenario.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

nice pics, you get a good idea of the size of the ball turret in the fourth one as well

 

[Anonymous]

I found some shots of the O2 bottles in my collection. Some of these are mine, some are from others. The B-17 had several O2 bottles under the floor, so they were not as visible in normal viewing. Whereas on the B-24, they were obviously more visible in the aft section.

While there seems to be a question as to which oxygen system they used, O2 generators or bottled, they had bottles inside. Needless to say, when hit by an incendiary round, it adds extra explosive effect. A nightmare scenario.

I've seen lots of shots of WWII bombers in action from inside the cabin, and I never saw O2 bottles like that. Are you sure these were used during combat?

 

[wmaxt]

One of the major problems of thr P-400s in the pacific was their inability to fly above 10,000/12,000ft because the O2 sys was the British low pressure system and not compatable with the American high pressure filling equipment.

 

[Erich]

the oxygen bootles were there while in combat. punch in B-24 oxygen bootles on google search and there are several statements/links about cannon rounds and exploding Oxygen

 

[lesofprimus]

Very bad news gents.... I have read about this before, and from the reports and eyewitness accounts, when the HEI rounds hit these tanks, it turned the cabin into each mans own version of Hades....

As someone who has blown up many different things WITH many different things, I get a very bad visual from this discussion guys.. Gives me the chills thinking about it.....

 

[evangilder]

Yes, these were used in combat. Keep in mind that these aircraft are restored to be exactly as they were in the days they were flown in combat. These groups are big sticklers for being authentic. The only non-original gear they allow in is the updated radios/comm gear.

You are right Les. The thought of an exploding O2 bottle scares the living bejesus out of me.

 

[lesofprimus]

Ive blown them up before in demo work and training..... I cant fathom what it'd be like in an enclosed, cramped area like that..... There'd be red goo all over the inside of the fuselage.....

Bad dreams dude.....

 

[evangilder]

I've never seen a tank blow, but I can imagine it would be something else. Oxygen is one of the primary components needed to make fire.

 

[plan_D]

Well, it is the fuel of fire. AVPIN (Lightning, quick start, fuel) is so dangerous because it actually produces its own oxygen, you can't put it out.

 

[Erich]

I can fill you in with first hand accounts, or maybe I won't. chilling it is, terrible and even gross by our standards. No time to think but just act.

A still from the very first film on this multi-page thread. A B-24 feels the effects of a SturmFw attack