B-17 ball turret found in Italian lake

[Richard W.]

It's tantalizing to think of the rest of the wreck laying further away in the murk. All the more so because, thankfully, there's no one left inside.

I wonder if they're looking for it.

[Ken]

The links provided show some starter dataplates and heat exchanger ducting, amongst other odds and ends, so the rest of the plane is (or was) there.

[Punisher05]

Warbird News posted in a parallel thread on the topic that the rumor is the aircraft was depth charged in the 60s. If so, I guess that would explain why the turret would look like it was torn from the aircraft, and how that thick glass got blown out as well.

Maybe he'll jump in here with more info while protecting his sources


-Brandon

[astixjr]

It appears to be an early Sperry ball turret. The collector ring assembly is in the narrow box on the main support shaft. I do not know of any existing ball turrets that have that early style collector ring box so maybe this will become the oldest Sperry ball turret in existence? Also, the turret looks like it has at least one end bell cap on it, maybe it has both? I wonder if it is a Briggs or an Emerson turret? I've always wondered if Sperry ever put their ball turret into production in one of their own plants? Anyone know? Interesting story, thanks for posting.