Questions re: Avenger Upper Turret

[george]

Isn't this the only U.S. upper power turret of WW2 with only one gun?

A. Why only one machine gun instead of two?
B. Why was it on the left, instead of in the center or on the right?

[Matt Gunsch]

Isn't this the only U.S. upper power turret of WW2 with only one gun?

I think it is, at least on a combat plane.

A. Why only one machine gun instead of two?

not enough room for 2, there is more than just the gun, there is also the ammo storage to deal with

B. Why was it on the left, instead of in the center or on the right?

ever been inside a TBM ? there is not much room, and the only clear zone to the turret is on the right side

[Jack Cook]

Why was it on the left, instead of in the center ?

Would you ever want to be so cramped and strattling a M2. With every
round fired your voice's pitch would get higher and higher!

[george]

Thanks for the answers, Matt. I knew there were reasons for only one gun and its location, just didn't know what those reasons were. No, I don't believe I have been in an Avenger and didn't know how the gunner got in and out of the turret.

[SaxMan]

Access to the turret takes a little bit of mobility. There is a piece of armor plate that needs to be lowered and then you hoist yourself up into the seat. The radioman would then put the armor back in place. Once in the turret, the seat itself is remarkably comfortable, you have a great field of vision, except to your left. Some call it "the best seat in the house" on a TBM. The turret was controlled by a pistol-grip like device which controlled rotation and the guns elevation.

It's a much better place to ride than in the radio compartment, although you do get a nice view below and to the rear.

[Dan K]

Isn't this the only U.S. upper power turret of WW2 with only one gun?...

The B-18 went to war with this bad boy...not familiar with the designer or power system.







The TBY-2 Sea Wolf was on its way to the combat zone when the war ended abruptly. The turret on the production run was the Vought-Sikorsky 150CH-3...a design sure to stump even the most jaded of turret experts. Although no complete example is known to exist, I'm hoping to eventually piece enough of one back together to call it the sole survivor.

[TheBigBadGman]

Alright, this begs a question here.

Turret nuts all know that the first powered turret was on the Boulton Paul Overstrand. But, what about in the US?

I've heard the B-18 listed as such, but from what pictures I've seen it's doesn't look like it was powered. I know the B-17 didn't receive a powered turret until 1940. So, who was the first in the US?

[tom d. friedman]

I remember as a kid building a few tbm's & always ruined them trying to connect the turret to the rear canopy without knowing there was an open gap between the two. after I ruined a few they all were shot down via firecrackers or the bb gun.

[ALOHADAVE]

This TBM Turret cutaway diagram should help explain
Aloha

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[ALOHADAVE]

And this photo shows man inside

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[avenger2504]

connect the turret to the rear canopy without knowing there was an open gap between the two.

Not to wrong though Tom as I've seen photos of the XTBF (and possibly a few early production TBFs?) with a little perspex "lip" fairing in the gap at the top of the rear canopy to just about touching the turret.
I copied this photo of either the XTBF or an early TBF on it's nose from the WIX thread here: http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.o ... hilit=Dzus

You can see the little extra bit just forward of the turret near the top of the greenhouse.

[SaxMan]

Alright, this begs a question here.

Turret nuts all know that the first powered turret was on the Boulton Paul Overstrand. But, what about in the US?

I've heard the B-18 listed as such, but from what pictures I've seen it's doesn't look like it was powered. I know the B-17 didn't receive a powered turret until 1940. So, who was the first in the US?

Actually, the B-17E was the first model Fortress with a power turret. It's first flight was Sept. 5, 1941

With the possible exception of the B-18, I'm thinking the first American plane with a power turret was the B-26. While the B-25 flew before the B-26, the prototype did not have a power turret. The first B-26 off the line did.

[Chris Brame]

Sorry if I'm guessing the obvious, but was the TBF turret designed as it was because they figured most gunners would be right-handed?

[avenger2504]

Chris that's a good question and most likely correct.

[Matt Gunsch]

Sorry if I'm guessing the obvious, but was the TBF turret designed as it was because they figured most gunners would be right-handed?

No, it is because navy aircraft were to be entered from the right side, as it was the side faceing the ships island