B-25 With A Big Gun

Robbie Stuart · **Posted:** Tue Nov 24, 2009 10:15 am

USAF PHOTO

B-25H, Date, & Location Unknown.

the330thbg · **Joined:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:06 pm **Posts:** 2713

He must be replacing rivets.., by the hundreds after firing that thing!!!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!!

Jerry O'Neill · **Posted:** Tue Nov 24, 2009 11:51 am

Looks like he's closing up the cheek pack housing.
Great shot!
Jerry

Holedigger · **Posted:** Tue Nov 24, 2009 12:49 pm

I know it had a pretty heavy duty recoil mechanism to buffer it, but it still must have been a good wallop! I know the B-17 they experimented with a 20mm in the tail and IT popped rivets, so I would imagine that this beast kept maintenance up.

gary1954 · **Posted:** Tue Nov 24, 2009 1:57 pm

I read somewhere that when the 75 was fired that the plane seemed to have stopped for a micro-second
The G model i believe was equipped with an M2 muzzel volocity of around 1930 feet per second. I believe the H model was equipped with the M4 which was a shorter barreled 75mm which was actuallu an M2 with a a short-barrel and had a muzzle velocity of 2050 feet per second. Musta been a blast to fire.
I am at work now and don't have my books with me for source information.

Hemiman · **Posted:** Tue Nov 24, 2009 4:52 pm

One of the first -25's with the 75. Jack Fox, the N.A.'s rep in front. Pappy Gunn used this plane on an attack on two Japanese Destroyers off Cape Gloucester on 28 July 43. Pappy "bounced" a couple rounds from the 75 off the destroyer without too much effect. On the same mission he was credited with destroying a japanese transport plane that was trying to land at an adjacent air strip.. Photo courtesy of Jack Heyn,3rd photo

One of the DD's under attack by the 8th Sqdn. My dad received one of his air medals on this mission

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Tue Nov 24, 2009 6:10 pm

Another awesome name for an aircraft!

gary1954 · **Posted:** Tue Nov 24, 2009 6:53 pm

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Awesome Photo.....Awesome!!

Hemiman · **Posted:** Tue Nov 24, 2009 8:18 pm

A few more pics of the mission. First one I managed to pick up. A Press release pic, the data is not quite correct as it sure isn't a Cruiser!! The others are from 8th Sqdn pilot Curtis Payson's family. Both ships, the Ariake and Mikatsuki were sunk.

Ken · **Posted:** Tue Nov 24, 2009 9:28 pm

Given the new appearance of the H-model and the possible civilian test pilot attire - any chance this is a NAA factory or PA photo?

B-29 Super Fort · **Joined:** Wed Sep 01, 2004 11:12 am **Posts:** 871

What crew position handled the aiming and firing?

TonyM · **Posted:** Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:23 pm

If I remember correctly, the navigator loaded the weapon by hand and the gun was fired by the pilot. I'll have to check my B-25 book for sure. Can't get to it right now.

The photos of the B-25s working over the IJN are always good. Maybe Jack Cook can reward us with a related photo.

TonyM.

gary1954 · **Posted:** Wed Nov 25, 2009 5:11 pm

TonyM wrote:

If I remember correctly, the navigator loaded the weapon by hand and the gun was fired by the pilot. I'll have to check my B-25 book for sure. Can't get to it right now.

The photos of the B-25s working over the IJN are always good. Maybe Jack Cook can reward us with a related photo.

TonyM.

Yer right Tony.

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B-25 With A Big Gun

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