What's the deal on the four .50 cals in the belly position on the B-17 @ 2:27 min?

• Mar 26, 2014

• #1

M

m37b1

Airman

51

11

Feb 5, 2014

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVxtJULJ0KA

Never mind. Just realized the two extra guns are in the chin position.

 

Last edited: Mar 26, 2014

• Mar 26, 2014

• #2

FLYBOYJ

"THE GREAT GAZOO"

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Apr 9, 2005

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There's not 4 .50s on the belly - you're seeing the ball turret then the chin turret in the background.

 

• Mar 26, 2014

• Thread starter
• #3

M

m37b1

Airman

51

11

Feb 5, 2014

FLYBOYJ said:

There's not 4 .50s on the belly - you're seeing the ball turret then the chin turret in the background.

Click to expand...

Correct.. I caught that after I posted. Left the vid up, cause I thought folks here would like it.

 

• Mar 26, 2014

• #4

vikingBerserker

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Gees, you really have to respect the bomber pilots. IMO it takes a lot of just to fly a steady bombing run while fighters are chewing away.

Great post.

 

• Mar 26, 2014

• #5

M

mhuxt

Staff Sergeant

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Jul 16, 2004

vikingBerserker said:

Gees, you really have to respect the bomber pilots. IMO it takes a lot of just to fly a steady bombing run while fighters are chewing away.

Great post.

Click to expand...

The sequence which starts at about 1:21 here

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTKBbjaBzCc

is more than a little sobering.

 

• Mar 26, 2014

• #6

Capt. Vick

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They did make a 4 x .50 cal. ball turret. I have seen it. I believe it was in the NASM collection. I have a picture of it somewhere. I assume it was experimental.

 

• Mar 27, 2014

• #7

Capt. Vick

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Not this one, but I found this on the internet. Looks like a nose, top or rear unit.