B-17 Waist Gunner

[Russell Holton]

[Scott Dyer HPN/NY]

Fun to watch. And, I learned something.

[B.Butler]

Fun to watch. And, I learned something.

Never know when you're gonna need that new skill. <g>

[Terry Carraway]

I wonder why no one came up with a mechanical system to offset the sights to make it easier. The angle from the gun to the plane (both fore and aft and up and down) is measurable.

[Russell Holton]

I wonder why no one came up with a mechanical system to offset the sights to make it easier. The angle from the gun to the plane (both fore and aft and up and down) is measurable.

I was wondering the same thing. It seems like a simple geared arrangement would help. It may not be perfect, but it would be a good start.

[Ray Tackett]

A sort-of tracking sight would have been more weight, more moving parts, more maintenance, and something else to get jammed by incoming metal bits. Same way the dirt-simple, loose toleranced AK-47 outperformed the too-tightly crafted original M-16.

[Russell Holton]

A sort-of tracking sight would have been more weight, more moving parts, more maintenance, and something else to get jammed by incoming metal bits. Same way the dirt-simple, loose toleranced AK-47 outperformed the too-tightly crafted original M-16.

Maybe. I'm thinking about a simple cam operated sight that moves as the gun is pivoted. A stationary one can remain as backup. I'd think there would be a significant increase in kills that would justify a minor addition to an already complex airplane.

[A. Niemyer]

I was wondering the same thing. It seems like a simple geared arrangement would help. It may not be perfect, but it would be a good start.

They did. In the A-26 and B-29 the gunners did have lead-computing gunsights, remotely controlling the turrets. This shows why Gunnery School was long and arduous!

Best,
Andy

[Randy Sohn]

and B-29 the gunners did have lead-computing gunsights

29s had CFC (central fire control), remote operator.

best, randy

[Bill Bridges]

We only had 11Bs and M-60s for our waist (door) gunners on our slicks. If it were not for those teenagers standing up and going toe to toe with Charlie we wouldn't be having this conversation.

Bill

[Bill Bridges]

This is a poem by a Marine talking about the door gunners. These kids were incredibly brave and never complained. I sat on an armored seat, all they had was a "60" to protect them.

Bill