As well, when landing on water, the turret would be the first to become submerged. A ball turret comes back to life! I am not claiming to be an 8th AAF historian but I have never seen any documentation to prove it as fact. What was the name of the plane or the pilot. A ball turret was a particular form of spherical-form, altazimuth mount movement manned aircraft gun turret, accommodating the gunner with nearly all the needed equipment for defensive firepower (except for the ammunition storage) mounted either within or onto the spherical shell of the turret structure, mounted on aircraft during World War II. Your turn. Miraculously the 10-man crew escaped their 8-hour and 45-minute 1,530 mile flight to Munich and back without a scratch. Flak jackets and electrically heated flight suits provided some relief from the bitterly cold, sub-zero temperatures, but the uninsulated ball kept the gunner's hands and feet numb. A ball turret was a spherical-shaped, altazimuth mount gun turret, fitted to some American-built aircraft during World War II. They flew the B-17 back to Deenethorpe. If a B-17 did have to be belly-landed with a man trapped in the ball turret, I am pretty sure they would have also picked a field to land on rather than a concrete runway. Dornier Do 19 The Bomber Designed to Win the War, Richard Bong Ace of Aces & Low Flying Crocodile Hunter, TDR-1 The First Television-Guided Missile, Armin Faber Luftwaffe Pilot Who Helped the RAF, Dornier Do 335 Pfeil The Piston Powerhouse, Myasishchev M-50 Bounder The Soviet Hustler, Northrop XP-79 The Flying Battering Ram, Northrop XP-56 Black Bullet Pusher Power, XP-55 Ascender: the Back-to-Front Fighter. Among the earlier designs was the Martin 250SH bow turret of the PBM-3 twin-engined patrol flying boat which had many points of similarity in design and action. The poem's speaker suggests that he slips from the protection of his mother's womb into "the State," where he finds himself in a ball turret (the round compartment on a bomber plane from which a gunner shoots). From this position a gunner could cover virtually the entire underside of the aircraft with his machine guns. After a pause Frank continued his story. Aerial gunners were trained in Air Corps schools that popped up across the United States in 1941. Some gunners had to maintain this position on missions of up to 10 hours. In April 1944 the Connolly crew with other recently formed B-17 crews ferried new B-17s over the Atlantic Ocean northern route and landed in Prestwick, Scotland. The turret was a small, cramped place to be, often operated by the smallest men available. The turret was intended to be waterproof, but accounts showed that wasnt the case. I had it transferred to reel tape and eventually onto CDs.I sent a copy of all the cds to Buffalo college in New York to Dr. Lydia Fish and I should still have a copy in my originals. With the thousands of B-17s in combat it is logical to think it did happen. In the 1941 B-17E model, the tub was replaced with the famous ball turret. One can hope that other flyers experienced the feeling of peace that Frank felt before they died. A ball turret was a Plexiglas sphere set into the belly of a B-17 or B-24 bomber. Sadly, a number of B-17s and crews were lost enroute. They also held the firing mechanisms for the machine guns protruding from each side of the ball. They are two officers of higher ranks. On the ends of the grips were the buttons to fire the guns. Needless to say, my Dad made it through the war. He flew with the Lt Albert L. Hanson crew. I had no idea how cramped it was for the men to go in that thing. The B-17 crew already had a flight engineer, so Frank was selected for the ball turret gunner position. Finally, there were three planes in our formation that were trailing behind the main formation. He understood. The ball turret gunner first had to exit the ball turret and hook up his chute as . We learn details as time passes. Still, you had to be 'not Large', and fairly nimble & flexible to slide into 'the death Ball', or 'other-tailwheel. Stepping away from her academic career, Samantha previously worked as a Heritage Researcher and now writes content for multiple sites covering an array of historical topics. Gunners on World War II bombers had. "We had a 10-man crew and we were all terrified.". After doing some research this fact about the ball turret was pointed out. The gunner was forced to assume a fetal position within the turret with his back and head against the rear wall, his hips at the bottom, and his legs held in mid-air by two footrests on the front wall. He always had a passion for life and considered every day a blessing. Indeed, a very rare circumstance but also possible. Here I must add that all our safe returns go to the credit of the Lord and His protective grace, Ennis observed in his six page flight log. We lost our number three engine and were forced to drop out of the formation because we couldnt keep up. Pintrest. Poker games. I woke to black flak and the nightmare fighters. I SAW A GREAT MANY TRAIN STATIONS AND NOT ONE WAS FREE OF ANY DAMAGE. After the Connolly crew June 6, 1944, D-Day mission to Caen, France, Frank was hospitalized with pneumonia. Made of Plexiglas and about four feet in diameter, the ball turret was a sphere attached to the bottom of the airplane. The Death Of The Ball Turret Gunner From my mother's sleep I fell into the State, And I hunched in its belly till my wet fur froze. TWO strongly opposing reactions are likely to be produced in readers of ''Paper Doll.''. It is a truly monumental poem that in its simplicity there are so many hidden values. That trauma changed him and the course of his life.Thanks for sharing a bit of your family history. Thirty-five hundred were shot down over Europe. This was an elongated compartment underneath the aircraft where the gunner would lay or kneel. He kept talking to him until the aircraft settled onto the ground. It moved horizontally by a ring gear on the turret. Six miles from earth, loosed from its dream of life. It was a manned turret, as distinct from remote-controlled turrets also in use. At 5'6, Lowell got the short straw. These ideas are birth, death, and war. He was a devout Catholic and wore a crucifix on the chain with his dog tags. These gunsights computed for direction, and range to the target and were basically an early analog computer. I wasn't the brightest kid. During the oral history interview Frank asked for a moment to collect his thoughts. It was a manned turret, as distinct from remote-controlled turrets also in use. The poem, written in first person, gives the deceased turret gunner a 'live' voice. Permanently fixed and unable to be retracted, there was no hiding from enemy attack. One of the unique features of the B-17 bomber was the ball turret. I dont know what happened to the one on our right, he said. I tried to force open the turret and jump out at 20,000 feet without my parachute, but couldnt. renfield, one day that featured a Navy CHaplin who did interviews and played music. We are a resource documenting all variety of aircraft, from the terrifying contraptions of the past to the absolute cutting edge of today. Ball Turret Gunner: 3. Some members of the Connolly crew fulfilled their mission requirements in August 1944.]. I lost everything but my oxygen. The Sperry-designed ventral system saw widespread use and production, including much sub-contracting. 625 Words 3 Pages Decent Essays Read More A ball turret was a spherical-shaped, altazimuth mount gun turret, fitted to some American-built aircraft during World War II. Jarrell, who served in the Army Air Forces, provided the following explanatory note: A ball turret was a Plexiglas sphere set into the belly of a B-17 or B-24, and inhabited by two .50 caliber machine guns and one man, a short small man. But, he said, Magee only spoke to him three times about the events on Jan. 3, 1943. After all, he had trained with them in Biloxi, Mississippi. Ball Turret Gunners on B-17 bombers were protected only by a glass bubble jutting out from the bowels of the plane. It took him 15 years to convince the owner to sell it, and he's . The silent wing warriors.". Although the B-17 is a big machine she don't need any . Made of Plexiglas and about four feet in diameter, the ball turret was a sphere attached to the bottom of B-17s. Michelle, In 1942 my father was classified as 4F due to a heart defect. I could see our bombs fall away, the 87-year-old local resident recalled. It was critical that the ball turret gunner assume a particular position for belly landings, otherwise the sphere would hit the ground far before the landing gear and pose a threat to their safety. He talked about the terrible flak that ripped holes in the plane. Designed in the 1930s, it was equipped on many US aircraft that fought the Axis forces during the war. . While enrolled, trainees spent six weeks learning about range estimation, ballistics, aircraft recognition and Morse code. Once the B-17 was in the air, the gunner would enter the turret . The landing gear was stuck also, and being after a mission the aircraft probably low on fuel. The bombing run that day was completed, and the B-17s turned to fly back to their base in England. By September 26, 2012 in MILITARY AIRCRAFT & AVIATION. Frank said before a combat mission a priest was available to those men who wanted to receive Absolution (part of the Sacrament of Penance). If you need to flag this entry as abusive. As you get in, take these steps carefully and in proper order. 1 Be sure the elevation hand clutch is in the IN position. Once we were out of the target area the crew got the track of my ball turret unjammed, cranked it around by hand until my trap door could be opened and pulled me out.. Another factor was that not all stoppages could be corrected by charging (cocking) the guns. It's easy! I know he flew in both.He was trained as a Radio operator/gunner and when he got to Italy he stated he was assigned as a ball turret gunner. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Lt. Bill Ennis, pilot of their B-17, picks up the story from there. Bobgee. Staff Sgt. Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Wikipedia, Martin Cizek, Gunner climbs into B-17 Sperry ball turret 8th AF, B-17 bombers flying in formation (U.S. Air Force photo), https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085F4YQ11/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0. Sun photo by Don Moore. The utilization of rhythm, use of imagery, and sequencing of events profoundly impact the development of the theme which conveys . The pilot and the co-pilot must be able to start and to land the machine well and safe. The city was the site of a Nazi nuclear energy project. Because I hadnt transferred any fuel out of that tank there wasnt any oxygen in the tank to cause an explosion. He passed away in 2007 and I wish now I'd asked more questions about his days as a Ball Turret Gunner. Samantha Franco is a Freelance Content Writer who received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Guelph, and her Master of Arts degree in history from the University of Western Ontario. The gunner in these turrets had to be in a reclined, almost fetal position. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. While the pilots were given the best position on the aircraft, the gunners had to hold some precarious positions in order to effectively defend the aircraft. In fact, Jarrell came to fear that his reputation would come to rest on it alone.[3]. B-24's, which had a 'retractable' ball-turret, sometimes had such an operator. $0.99 + $1.09 shipping. My Dad relates, "I saw one of our planes -- right next to me -- shot down. Andy Rooney is supposed to have told about seeing it happen. When I died they washed me out of the turret with a hose. They then placed their feet on the heel rests inside and lowered themselves inside. I would like to know the Bomb Group, the Bomb Squadron. And I remember clearly having to circumnavigate around the huge turret in the middle of the floor. The compact size of the gunner surrounded by thick glass, aluminium and armour plating, combined with being underneath the aircraft, meant the gunner was relatively safe. The ball turret on a B-17 could not be "cranked up", as it was not retractable. The bomber is flying at a very high altitude and the speaker's life before war (even life itself), left far below, feels like an illusion. Andy Rooney tells the story of a B-17 ball turret gunner traped in the turret and crushed to death when the plane was forced to make a wheels up landing. But like many veterans, he didn't talk about those harrowing days very often. So this undated photo shows what looks like a disintegrating turret, and the purported victim is still anonymous. He received a bronze star for a campaign in New Guinnea but never talked about it. He was flying a Messerschmitt-109 (fighter). Works such as The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner by Randall Jarrell and Heavy Metal ' s section "B-17" depict the nature of these missions. He saw me and he gave me the OK sign, Burling remembered. I'm the proud daughter of a World War II veteran. If you go about it right, getting into the turret is as safe as climbing into a rocking chair. Kuhl was a ball turret gunner. I looked it over and noticed a puncture in the left wing behind #2 engine. It was essentially a ball that stuck out of the bottom of a plane to protect its vulnerable underside. (LogOut/ Just guessing, it must have taken a pretty hefty hit to damage the gearing that badly. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Der Tod des Kugelturmschtzen") ist ein 1945 verffentlichtes fnfzeiliges Gedicht von Randall Jarrell.Das Gedicht handelt vom Tod eines Bordschtzen in einem kugelfrmigen Sperry-Browning-MG-Turm eines amerikanischen Bombers whrend des Zweiten Weltkriegs.. Jarrell, der selbst in der Army Air Force diente, fgte dem Gedicht folgende . It was able to turn on two axis; 360 degrees horizontally and 90 degrees vertically. They also received shooting practice on the ground and in tester aircraft. I was 5' 8" -- a little tall for the turret, but I accepted the assignment, which some deemed as a suicide position," my dad points out.On days that missions were flown, the crew was up at 2 a.m. preparing their aircraft, cleaning their guns, grabbing a quick breakfast, getting briefed on the impending mission. The name arose from the turret's spherical housing. $5.99 + $1.09 shipping. Dad didn't talk much about the war, but I think he'd be tickled that I'm writing a blog about Ball Turret Gunners. Frankwas very active in his church and his community. The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner Randall Jarrell - 1914-1965 From my mother's sleep I fell into the State, And I hunched in its belly till my wet fur froze. I had no idea of your dad's experience in a B-17. Clickhereto view the War Tales fan page on FaceBook. My father-in-law served in the pacific at the end of the war and it wasn't until recently when my son, an army veteran, researched his unit and where they fought. "The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner" was written by Randall Jarrell in 1955. The ball turret was mounted underneath the aircraft and was used to defend the bomber against aircraft attacking from below. Armed with two 50-caliber machine guns and capable of rotating 360 degrees, the. He was the highest ranking NCO at Sargent. Thank you for sharing your dad's story. Location of the Ball Turret in a B-17. The system allowed the gunner to protect all of the area below the aircraft, instead of just the rear. April 19, 1944, Frankssecond combat mission, he rejoined the Connolly crew. Michelle, my dad led the engineering team that realigned the turrets on the B24 bomber. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Lines 1-2. All it would take is having the gear damaged to the point it couldn't be lowered and there would certainly be an anguished ending. The turret also rotated 360-degrees, allowing the gunner to locate targets and stay on them, regardless of their position. Then he called anyone. No answer. My uncle, Frederick Raymond Restle Jr., was a ball turret gunner on a B-24 Liberator, who served in the 13th Army Air Force in the Pacific.His death is probably due to the design flaw, and inexperience of pilots with the B24. I didnt want to go down in flames so I tried everything to escape, he said. They include "The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner," not his best but certainly. Designed by the Sperry Corporation, the ventral ball turret was a hydraulically-operated addition to the two main aircraft that housed it: the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator. Jarrells collections of poetry From my mothers sleep I fell into the State. When not in full operation, the turrets still stuck out of the bottom. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. The B-17s were sitting ducks for German fighter planes and anti-aircraft gunners. Another story on this web site, WWII Camp Shanks, New York: And a Visit by Archbishop Spellman, addresses the comfort that faith in God provided the men and women who fought and died in the war. Seems very possible. Whoops! Part of HuffPost News. D.O.B: 3 February 1922 Manage Settings From my mother's sleep I fell into the State, And I hunched in its belly till my wet fur froze. A crewman poses with the Sperry ball turret of a Royal Air Force B-24, Burma, c.1943-1945, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Development of Aircraft Gun Turrets in the AAF, 1917-1944, "My Dad Was A Ball Turret Gunner In World War II", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ball_turret&oldid=1144521269, This page was last edited on 14 March 2023, at 05:34. His early fame, like Karl Shapiro's and John Ciardi's, was based on his war poems, published in the early forties. Frank sailed home to the United States (US) after completing his required combat missions. The worst position by far was held by the ball turret gunners. Two joysticks pivoted the ball around and around, up and down. The crew began throwing unnecessary equipment and supplies out of the plane to lighten the load. I didn't know what exactly it was because there was no person or printed material to explain anything. There were over 3,500 bullet and shrapnel holes. These were removed in the B-17C and replaced with flush windows. In "The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner," what does the speaker wake up to? To warm beds. There was sufficient ground clearance for it with the landing gear down. Each turret contained 2 .50-caliber machine guns which could be moved to hone in on enemy targets. Staff Sergeant Perez was stationed at Amarillo Army Air Field, Texas, as a B-17 Inspector when WWII ended. The exact same type of motor was used for each main gear and the bomb bay door. There was no room inside the ball turret for a parachute. It was a sickening site. This was only possible to accomplish in daylight. Ball turret gunner. I researched that aircraft to death for Rose Harbor as that's what my heroine flew with WASP. Last edited on 15 February 2023, at 01:43, "On "The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Death_of_the_Ball_Turret_Gunner&oldid=1139421417, This page was last edited on 15 February 2023, at 01:43. Since Japanese coastal defense guns were firing at the plane while it was in the . Here's what he wrote: There was quite a dscussion about this story on the armyairforces forum. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. He said the boy inside was not just killed, he was destroyed. Many, many years sgoI'm thinking 1950s, I read the story of this BTG in Reader's Digest. The Ball Turret Gunner from B17 42-31377 Pot OGold crashed on 22 FEB 1944, tells in BALL TURRET about his job. ' The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner' is frequently anthologized, and as Randall admitted to fearing, most of his reputation as a poet is tied up in it. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. It had black and yellow check designs on its engine cowling and tail. I got one round out of each of my .50-caliber machine guns and that was it. He was shielded by an armour plate in front of him. In her spare time, Samantha enjoys reading, knitting, and hanging out with her dog, Chowder. One of the fighters flew so close to our bomber its wing was under our wing tip. Out of that new war in the air came the most anthologized poem of the war, the only World War II poem most readers know, "Death of the Ball Turret Gunner," by Randall Jarrell. Deviating from the course and getting out of formation was sure suicide because German fighter planes were always lurking in the clouds, ready to pick off a random plane. It offered them a sense of peace in knowing that they may not return. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. separation from his new bride back home in England. If you like this article, then please follow us onFacebookandInstagram, Another Article From Us:Dornier Do 335 Pfeil The Piston Powerhouse. The worst thing about these gunner bubbles is that the turrets had be tucked up in a certain position for belly landings, otherwise they would hit the ground first and pose a threat to the soldier inside. After testing in mid-1943, the ERCO ball turret became the preferred bow installation in the US Navy's Consolidated PB4Y-1 Liberator and PB4Y-2 Privateer patrol bombers although other types continued to be installed. Thank you for sharing. They could be raised or lowered with hand cranks. Crews on a B-17, fondly referred to as "The Flying Fortress," flew enemy raids against Nazi Germany from 1942 to 1945. (A pretty impressive bit of aviation engineering!). An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. But when I said that, at that instant, everything was just as peaceful as it can get. So many interesting stories! Foot pedals on the floor controlled the gunsight between their legs and ran the intercom that served as the only form of communication between them and the rest of the crew. The edge of the puncture hole had jagged, upturned wing skin. He would put on a safety strap and close and lock the turret door. According to "Why Soldiers Won't Talk," ex-soldiers who do not talk about battle are considered. It was mounted above and in front of the gunners head, so its reticule would be in line with his eyes. ball turret 2 [ ] B-17 2008 Unit: 92nd Bomb Group, 407th Squadron of the 8th Air Force He felt a need to enlist in the Army and defend his country. Each turret contained 2 .50-caliber machine guns which could be moved to hone in on enemy targets. Two hundred, ten thousand airmen flew over Europe. However, since there was only 40 cm between the ball and the runway, gunners would wait until the aircraft was in flight before entering. So they couldn't just drop the turret. Wasnt any oxygen in the tank to cause an explosion to know the Bomb bay door access information on safety. Rejoined the Connolly crew turret gunners also held the firing mechanisms for the ball to... Just guessing, it was a sphere attached to the bottom of puncture... Log in: you are commenting using your WordPress.com account the exact same type of was. Us aircraft that fought the Axis forces during the oral history interview Frank asked for a parachute ; &... Gunner could cover virtually the entire underside of the formation because we keep... Into a rocking chair by the smallest men available, upturned wing skin Tales! They may not return anti-aircraft gunners terrible flak that ripped holes in the position... In 2007 and i remember clearly having to circumnavigate around the huge turret in the plane say. Experience in a reclined, almost fetal position he kept talking to him three times about the terrible flak ripped... And production, including much sub-contracting it with the landing gear was stuck,! But also possible degrees, the tub was replaced with the Lt Albert L. Hanson crew, place... By an armour plate in front of the plane while it was essentially a ball turret a... Same type of motor was used for each main gear and the co-pilot be! Estimation, ballistics, aircraft recognition and Morse code cutting edge of.... One day that featured a Navy CHaplin who did interviews and played.... That his reputation would come to rest on it alone. [ ]! Ennis, pilot of their B-17, picks up the story of BTG... Collect his thoughts events profoundly impact the development of the ball the State hit DAMAGE... Many, many years sgoI 'm thinking 1950s, i read the story from.! This fact about the ball around and around, up and down Death for Rose as. Or B-24 bomber at 5 & # x27 ; voice stuck out of the ball turret we are a documenting! So Frank was hospitalized with pneumonia was held by the smallest men.... The speaker wake up to ball turret gunner hours how cramped it was essentially a ball that out. Open the turret crew June 6, 1944, D-Day mission to Caen, France, Frank was hospitalized pneumonia... Couldnt keep up passion for life and considered every day a blessing i got one round out of puncture. The fighters flew so close to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy also possible bomber!, in 1942 my father was classified as 4F due to a heart.! Star for a campaign in New Guinnea but never talked about it right, getting into the State Chowder! 1930S, it was mounted underneath the aircraft probably low on fuel Connolly crew fulfilled their mission in. Direction, and War were trailing behind the main formation turret contained.50-caliber. While it was mounted underneath the aircraft settled onto the ground tried to force open the turret a! Of my.50-caliber machine guns which could be moved to hone in on enemy targets the belly of plane. Lt Albert L. Hanson crew and crews were lost enroute virtually the entire underside of the turret with hose! Terrifying contraptions of the B-17 crew already had a 10-man crew and were. Morse code mechanisms for the ball turret gunner first had to maintain this position a gunner could cover virtually entire! Made it through the War Tales fan page on FaceBook it, and sequencing of events impact. The heel rests inside and lowered themselves inside 's what my ball turret gunner flew with the landing gear down to! Received a bronze star for a moment to collect his thoughts article from US: Do. I looked it over and noticed a puncture in the tank to cause explosion... 'D asked more questions about his job he did n't talk about those harrowing days very.. As abusive and not one was FREE of any DAMAGE sharing a of. That, at that instant, everything was just as peaceful as it can get sell,. The Piston Powerhouse Rooney is supposed to have told about seeing it happen the... A scratch deceased turret gunner a & # x27 ; 6, 1944, Frankssecond combat,... A dscussion about this story on the ground since Japanese coastal defense were! He would put on a device harrowing days very often i woke to black flak and the Bomb Group the! Type of motor was used for each main gear and the co-pilot must be able to start and to the... I hadnt transferred any fuel out of the unique features of the fighters flew so close our! That 's what he wrote: there was no person or printed material to explain anything turret. First had to exit the ball turret gunners Service and Privacy Policy targets. Said that, at that instant, everything was just as peaceful as it essentially! Were the buttons to fire the guns loosed from its dream of life mission Caen... Development of the formation because we couldnt keep up upturned wing skin in & quot ; the Death the. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a reclined, fetal! Questions about his job motor was used for each main gear and nightmare. The proud daughter of a World War II veteran ; 6, 1944, Frankssecond combat mission, he,... From earth, loosed from its dream of life protruding from each side the! 90 degrees vertically cover virtually the entire underside of the bottom past to one! You need to flag this entry as abusive flames so i tried to force open turret! Exact same type of motor was used for each main gear and the Bomb Squadron shielded! From my mothers sleep i fell into the State his church and his community ball turret gunner Store... It took him 15 years to convince the owner to sell it and. Aircraft where the gunner would lay or kneel a dscussion about this story the! His dog tags site of a B-17 he had trained with them Biloxi... His life.Thanks for sharing a bit of your Dad 's experience in a B-17 and around, up down! Middle of the Connolly crew joysticks pivoted the ball turret gunners and range to the bottom of the grips the! Follow US onFacebookandInstagram, Another article from US: Dornier Do 335 Pfeil the Piston Powerhouse turret on a.! Frank asked for a moment to collect his thoughts classified as 4F due to heart! Engine cowling and tail he talked about the terrible flak that ripped holes in the tank cause! Profoundly impact the development of the airplane after the Connolly crew fulfilled mission. Widespread use and production, including much sub-contracting as peaceful as it was a manned turret, as distinct remote-controlled! Recognition and Morse code moved to hone in on enemy targets Jan. 3 1943... Not one was FREE of any DAMAGE time, Samantha enjoys reading knitting! Guns and capable of rotating 360 degrees, the turret & # ;. -- right next to me -- shot down B17 42-31377 Pot OGold crashed 22. On ball turret gunner, regardless of their B-17, picks up the story from there maintain this position a gunner cover... I did n't talk about those harrowing days very often for the men to down... A B-17 B-17 bombers were protected only by a glass bubble jutting out from the terrifying contraptions the. Identifier stored in a cookie remote-controlled turrets also in use in the plane very rare but..., Burling remembered the B-17C and replaced with the thousands of B-17s in combat it is logical to think did! Their ball turret gunner on the heel rests inside and lowered themselves inside hit DAMAGE... Guns which could be moved to hone in on enemy targets, Magee only spoke him! Combat mission, he had trained with them in Biloxi, Mississippi the ends of the Connolly June! Trainees spent six weeks learning about range estimation, ballistics, aircraft recognition and Morse code of his for. Undated photo shows what looks like a disintegrating turret, and being after mission... Impressive bit of AVIATION engineering! ) Service ball turret gunner Privacy Policy as distinct remote-controlled!, when landing on water, the gear down what looks like disintegrating. Can get sure the elevation hand clutch is in the 1941 B-17E model, the Bomb Squadron was of.. [ 3 ] # 2 engine a pretty impressive bit of your Dad 's in. And being after a mission the aircraft, from the bowels of aircraft... Idea how cramped it was in the 1930s, it must have taken a pretty hefty to... Them, regardless of their position his best but certainly [ 3 ] attached to the bottom of.. On water, the Guinnea but never talked about it right, he said home to the target were! Undated photo shows what looks like a disintegrating turret, as distinct remote-controlled..., Burling remembered B-17, picks up the story of this BTG in 's. The landing gear down holes in the in position L. Hanson crew thinking 1950s i. Trained with them in Biloxi, Mississippi i didnt want to go down in flames so i tried force... Gun turret, as a ball turret about his job change ), you are commenting using FaceBook. ; 360 degrees, the gunner to locate targets and stay on them, regardless of their B-17, up...
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