Warbird Information Exchange

Got to portray a tail gunner at a few shows with the SBD. The above pic was at Selfridge. One afternoon an old Navy vet came up to the plane and gave me a critical look. He looked at his grandson and said, "See that, that's exactly what I wore up there..." We got to talking and I asked him again if my rig was correct. He said, "Well, you got it all there except one thing." When I asked what that was he said, "Flak jacket."

I was stunned. I had never heard of Navy gunners wearing flak jackets in the the rear cockpit. Never read that in a history book or saw a picture!

About an hour later an old Marine came up to the plane and told me he was a rear seat gunner in SBDs. He said all my gear was right except they wore utilities--or whatever they could get ahold of. "One thing missing though...where's your flak jacket?"

So twice in one day and direct from them that made the history.

Thanks for the GREAT pics, Mark!

Mark,

I just wanted to say how much I appreciate the effort you go to, in hunting out these historic photo sets and sharing them on Wix for us all to enjoy.

Like Jack Cooks previous efforts, your postings have become a "must see" element of my Wix reading, please keep up the good work and know the silent majority appreciate it, even if we don't mention or thankyou for your efforts often enough.

"Thank You"!

By the way, its good to see Jack on the Board too.

regards

Mark Pilkington

_________________
20th Century - The Age of Manned Flight
"from Wrights to Armstrong in 66 years -WOW!"

Seconded! Well said, Mark P. and very well done, Mark Allen, and Jack Cook before him. You bring much happiness and excellent discussion to the boards; I sure appreciate it!

-Tom

Thanks kindly gents. Always happy to try to post some interesting stuff. Just can't forget those vets if I can help it.


SBD Dauntless dive bombers pictured during a training flight near the Marine Corps Bombardier and Air Gunners School at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) El Centro, California,


SBD Dauntless dive bombers pictured during a training flight near the Marine Corps Bombardier and Air Gunners School at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) El Centro, California,


SBD Dauntless's Air Gunners School at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) El Centro, California, 1943-1944


A pair of SBD-5s attached to Bombing Squadron Five (VB-5) returning to USS Yorktown (CV-10)


SBD Dauntless


SBD Dauntless

_________________
“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

SBD Dauntless dive bombers pictured during a training flight at Marine Corps Bombardier and Air Gunners School at Marine Corps Air Station El Centro, California, 1943-1944


SBD Dauntless dive bombers pictured during a training flight at Marine Corps Bombardier and Air Gunners School at Marine Corps Air Station El Centro, California, 1943-1944


PBY-2 Catalina pictured at low level over the waters surrounding Pensacola, Florida, during a gunnery training flight.


SBC


TBD-1 of Torpedo Squadron SIx VT-6 joins an F3F-2 of Fighting Squadron Six VF-6 and an SBC-1 of Scouting Squadron Six VS-6

_________________
“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

I'll toss one in here...


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection)

A-24A towing a banner for aerial gunnery practice.

_________________
“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

.. and some nice T6 gunnery practice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdP-CG_8MWs

_________________
“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

'Tis an A-24A...

I forget where I found this one...




Fade to Black...

Where 'Tis you see that?


SBD Gunner on USS Ranger, June 1943


SBD Gunners Cockpit

_________________
“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

the term "ass end Charlie" while mockingly called so as to aft gunners was a dark joke, but taken w/ respect. note the lack of armor for them in most pics...........

_________________
tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

Thanks for tossing in an O-52!

_________________

All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

Question from the dummy division...did all rear guns have an interrupter to keep from shooting off the vert in the heat of battle?

_________________
"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

Given that they were manually moved and fired, I would say no. One 8th AF group CO had a message to his waist gunners painted on the inside bottom of his B-24s vertical stabilizers."hit here, loose 1/2 pay." Top turrets did have stops to prevent hitting the tail and props.

Duane