Who controlled the chin turret of the B 17G?
Who controlled the chin turret of the B 17G?
Armed with no less than 13 0.50-calibre machine guns, including two in a new “chin” turret for defense against head-on attack, the B-17G fairly bristled with machine guns. It was operated by a crew of 10, including the pilot, copilot, navigator-radioman, bombardier, and gunners.
What was the most heavily armed bomber?
the B-25
By the end of the war, the B-25 was the most heavily armed aircraft in the U.S. Army Air Forces’ inventory. A single 12-airplane squadron of B-25s carried more . 50-caliber machine guns than four infantry regiments.
How many models of the B-17 were there?
Design and variants
| Variant | Produced |
|---|---|
| B-17G-BO | 4,035 |
| B-17G-DL | 2,395 |
| B-17G-VE | 2,250 |
| Total | 12,731 |
How many missions did B-17 crews fly?
25
On May 13, 1943, the 303rd BG B-17F Hell’s Angels became the first heavy bomber to complete 25 combat missions over Europe, four days before the Memphis Belle’s crew. After flying 48 combat missions, it returned to the US for a war bond tour, but not until 1944.
When did the B 17G enter service?
The B-17G entered service with the Eighth and Fifteenth Air Forces in late 1943. Camouflage paint was deleted from production B-17Gs starting in January of 1944.
How many B 25s are still flying?
There are more than one hundred surviving North American B-25 Mitchells scattered over the world, mainly in the United States. Most of them are on static display in museums, but about 45 are still airworthy.
How many bombs could a b17 carry?
Technical Specifications
| First flight | July 28, 1935 (prototype) |
|---|---|
| Ceiling | 35,600 feet |
| Power | Four 1,200-horsepower Wright R-1820-97 engines |
| Accommodation | 2 pilots, bombardier, navigator, radio-operator, 5 gunners |
| Armament | 11 to 13 machine guns, 9,600-pound bomb load |
What US bomber has the largest payload?
The B-1B
The B-1B, which became operational in 1986, has the largest internal payload of any current bomber. The US Department of Defense announced plans to cut its B-1B inventory from 92 to 67 as a cost-saving measure in July 2001. The first aircraft was withdrawn from service in August 2002.
How many bombs did b17 carry?
How big was a B-17 ball turret?
The ball turret was a big round ball approximately 3 feet in diameter and mounted under the aircraft about halfway back. Needless to say it was very crowded inside, and the two machine guns that one fired were right alongside ones body. They and the ammunition magazines took up a great portion of the turret.
What kind of bomber was the B 17G?
The B-17G was the latst production model of the “Flying Fortress” and was manufactured in the greates numbers. B-17G mit Kinnturm // Wikipedia Commons [Public Domain] In effect, the B-17G was the B-17F with the powered Bedinx chin turret fitted under the nose section.
Why did the B 17 lose the feathering tank?
The ability to feather the propeller blades, in event of engine failture, was lost in the B-17G because the standpipe that held back sufficient oil to work the feathering tank was sacrificed in the quest for a lighter aircraft.