B-17 Tail Gun Position

ronl · **Posted:** Mon Feb 14, 2011 4:09 pm

When the B-17 tail guns were fired, were the expended cases and links ejected from the tail, or were they collected and emptied later? I suspect they were ejected from a hole or slot in the bottom of the tail. Does anyone have any pictures or technical drawings showing how the expended cases and links were handled? If they were ejected, did this ever cause problems for the aircraft flying behind in the formation?

Thanks.

Ron

whistlingdeath77 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 15, 2011 4:37 pm

i thought they stayed with the plane on the floor. although im far from a b-17 expert

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

You are correct...i believe the spent casings remained on the floor of the compartment in the TG area. Not sure of the Cheyenne config. The ball turrets and the later "spinning" turrets in the war (the B-24J) nose and tail turret would eject their casings into the blue.

B 25 C · **Joined:** Sun Feb 13, 2011 12:05 pm **Posts:** 166

On the B25 lower turret the links and casings were expelled from the plane.

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

Correct

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Tue Feb 15, 2011 7:23 pm

The Cheyenne tail stingers had a chute that expelled the shells straight out of the back. Sentimental Journey still has one.

RAMC181 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:31 pm

Similar setup on the pre-Cheyenne tail position too.
Chute straight out underneath.

All the best,
PB

DryMartini · **Posted:** Tue Feb 15, 2011 11:08 pm

RAMC181 wrote:

Similar setup on the pre-Cheyenne tail position too.
Chute straight out underneath.

All the best,
PB

This is correct.
Here is a drawing with the "hopper" which helped collect the
spent casings as they fell from the guns and back to earth.

Part #16 was stainless steel. #17 was canvas with piano wire reinforcement.

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

The B-29 had a very similar chute system where they just fell as fast as they could fire them.

Actually, this seems to be fairly standard.., anywhere the casings could be collected, gravity was in their favor and it was convenient, they were..,i.e. Waist gunners, top turrets. Anywhere gravity worked against them.., like from lower turrets or where there was no room to collect (tail) they would be sent off into the blue.

On B-29's the two top turret rounds were collected in drums. The two bottom turrets and the tail, they were ejected.

steve dickey · **Posted:** Wed Feb 16, 2011 1:16 pm

Maybe I missed it in the thread but on the 17 and others, where the links saved for future use or tossed out too?

RAMC181 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 16, 2011 2:08 pm

The links usually went out the same way as the cases.

PB

ronl · **Posted:** Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:11 pm

Thanks for the outstanding information, everyone. Much appreciated!

Now, does anyone know if the expended cases and links were also ejected from the B-24 tail turret? I might have to start a separate thread for this question. Any technical drawings that anyone might have would also be appreciated.

Thanks.

Ron

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

Here are some good B-24 turret detail shots.

http://www.grubby-fingers-aircraft-illu ... round.html

http://liberatorcrew.com/15_Gunnery/03_nose.htm

As far as I know the casings were ejected from these Emerson Turrets as well.

whistlingdeath77 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:04 pm

maybe they were thrown out to save weight back to base? I'm sure if an engine was out EVERYTHING would be tossed out in safe skies. Do they easily come apart on a b-24 turret?

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

whistlingdeathcorsairs wrote:

maybe they were thrown out to save weight back to base? I'm sure if an engine was out EVERYTHING would be tossed out in safe skies. Do they easily come apart on a b-24 turret?

yah.., but don't throw out Eric Stoltz!

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B-17 Tail Gun Position

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