Warbird Information Exchange

But you know, that's probably why they only built 37 (or so...can't remember the exact number right now), before they got away from the "A" model tailgunner's set up. Heck, dang near most of the airplane was modified at one point or another.

But I agree with you, unless you're just there to take pictures, that isn't the place to sit...especially if the bad guys are shooting at you.

Gary

Do you mean like this?






Actually, the bottom portion is likely all I'll get painted (which I just did two minutes ago). The upper portion, where the sky lights are, will probably not get painted for a while. Just don't have the time to mask off the windows and such right now.

Gary

Gary...you must be some sort of mind reader or have that "sixth sense" about what people are going to ask next (even though you just did it ). Kind of spooky I bet that movie director M. Night Shymalan could make a film about you, your restoration abilities, and your special "gift". Now having said that I have to ask...do you see dead people?

John

Two of the props arrived moments ago (we just unloaded them). The other two will be here tomorrow. I'll start hanging the two we got today (#'s 3 & 4) in the morning. I'll be sure to give y'all a photo update of how that installation goes.

The rudders and elevators are coming along, albeit a tad slower than I was hoping. The High Sky Wing guys all know and understand my nervousness with the progress so far and are working an amazing pace to insure that they get done in a timely manner. I'm not losing sleep over them yet, but I'm not far from it. Stay tuned.

Gary

Just a few real quick shots of the unfinished tailgunner's sling in position. Unfortunately, the sling is too high and the gun is too low for where they're supposed to be, but I can correct both fairly easily. There will be more detailed photos as this little project continues.

First, what it looked like waaaay back when........




And what it looks like with my butt in a sling........




Inside view. Note: What you see is the "framework" only on the seat. Once I get the exact height needed, the upholstery guy will cover the rest of it in that wonderful ol' canvas material that it's supposed to have.......




Anyway, there's obviously a bunch of work left, but I can officially say that I'm the first guy in over 65 years to sit in the tailgunner's position in a B-24A.

Gary

Gary,
Very cool. Hey, I didn't notice before - but is that leather or canvas covered padding along the inside of the frame behind the tail gunner in the B/W photo. Maybe the same type of stuff that covers the arm rests of the Pilot/Co-Pilot seats? That is interesting.

_________________
Thanks,
Van
Kosovo, Afghanistan (x2) and Iraq Campaign Veteran
B-29 42-24791 "Big Time Operator"
C-47A 43-15137 "7H" Normandy/Holland Vet
SNJ-5B S/N 84947
UC-45F 43-35764 Cockpit
PT-26A 42-71104
LNE-1 S/N 31556
CG-15A Cockpit
CG-4A Cockpit (x2) and fuselage
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Well, you certainly have the same squinky eye to be a tail gunner!

The gunner just sits in the sling? Anything to keep him from getting pitched out in turbulence????

Gary, Looks like a heap of things going right finally!! I hope you can take some joy in that. The Tail gunners position especially, is a monumental creation. From what you had to go from and what you did, along with everything else you've done, I just can't say enough.
Yes, the others have been there to help and much has been accomplished by them. But You Sir, have lead this show and you will be forever in our debt! Your vision to make these changes and commitment to see this project though is only going to be surpassed by the reengine project for FIFI.
Thank You.
Dave

Gary, I've got to ask, but what (or who)
were you aiming at with such concentration?

Well, if he closes both eyes, nothing bad can happen. So I'm told.

_________________
James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

Quest Master...Yup, that's a pad that goes around the bulkhead to keep from getting completely bruised up. I don't have one installed yet, but after sitting in the sling yesterday, I can tell you that there'll be some folks gettin' knocked around pretty good back there. As you know, I'm a little, short, fat fella, and I just barely fit. When we lower the sling just a touch, it should be a little better, but I'll likely need to get some padding in there at some point.

BDK...From what I can tell from the two drawings and one picture that we have that shows the tailgunner's compartment, it appears that a sling is all he had back there. I can tell you that you do settle down in the sling pretty good, so it would take some serious effort to shoot you out of the seat. I'm sure that they were just going by one of my favorite sayings...."What could possibly go wrong?"

But seriously, for our operations, whoever sits in the sling will have a safety harness to put on and hook up to the airplane before being allowed to go back there.


snjfxr...Thanks. I'm still not very happy with the results of this rushed project, but I do feel that it's better than what it was before, so perhaps I've gotten a good start on what I was hoping to achieve.

aviosaurus...Man, what a loaded question (pun intended). Let's just say that I occassionally have a vivid imagination, and I could've had a whole list of folks seated in that Betty Bomber that I was shootin' at in that picture.

Thanks for the comments, y'all. I'm getting a late start this morning, due to various reasons, but I'm likely to be here later than usual today, so I'm sure I'll make up the time.

I'll check in with y'all later.

Gary

Gary,

Just wondering if the box of clecos found it's way to your door yet? I'll have another one of draw clecos on the way in he next couple of days.

RICK

Yes, they arrived yesterday. Thank you for that gift!!!

Gary

Here's a little something for y'all to read while I'm out working on the airplane. It's more details on the accident which ultimately turned AM927 from a bomber to a transport.

From "The Year 1941," by Ed Betts...






Pretty cool old document, huh?

Gary

snjfxr,

Check your private messages please.

Scott