Warbird Information Exchange

Well, that last one fell over quick.

Here's another. The question is a) what aircraft, b) where is it and c) what are we looking at, beyond 'a machine gun' (bonus points if you can say d) what else this part was used for, beyond the original use).

Clue is it's an American type.

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James K

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

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

Hmmm what American aircraft has a lowerable gondola.......

A retractable ventral gun cupola of some sort. Since its' rotation mobility is
limited, is it still technically referred to as a turret? Weren't similar devices used
in an earlier form for observation purposes? As to what and where..not a clue.

Hazarding a SWAG..B-18 Bolo?

_________________
He bowls overhand...He is the most interesting man in the world.
"In Peace Japan Breeds War", Eckstein, Harper and Bros., 3rd ed. 1943(1927, 1928,1942)
"Leave it to ol' Slim. I got ideas...and they're all vile, baby." South Dakota Slim
"Ahh..."The Deuce", 28,000 pounds of motherly love." quote from some Mojave Grunt
DBF

*puts on "Beavis" rubber mask*

This quiz is stupid. Why can't it have nekkid women in it?

Is it the rear bottom cupola on a 17?

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"I knew the jig was up when I saw the P-51D-20-NA Mustang blue-nosed bastards from Bodney, and by the way the blue was more of a royal blue than an indigo and the inner landing gear interiors were NOT green, over Berlin."

Hmmm...Have to go with the B-18, ventral gunner's retractable "dustbin", and that'd place it at either the Pima or McChord museums, and don't have a clue as to d)!

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Bob

as JDK knows that i know the answer i will abstain, but the clue is " one of my profiles" he he he he

objection! that last question is only supposition

B-18 at the USAFM, and I believe it was used to load casualties on stretchers, although I stand to be corrected on that.

Lynn

It's a turret to a B-18 Bolo, only that the person who took the photo did it upsidedown. It's the top turret/gun posstion on a B-18 Bolo. It could retract into the fuselage or extend into firing position as seen in the picture. I'm guessing the picture was taken at the USAFM.

Mmmm, not a top turret - the top turret in a B-18 would have plexiglas where the bottom of the photo is, and besides, don't think the gunner fired from the upside down position (see gun sight).

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Bob

Definately a drop-down ventral turret, but I'm not convinced it's a B-18. Since that interior color looks like RAF Interior Gray-Green, I'm thinking maybe Lockheed Hudson?

SN

Some very creative answers, but a good effort and we are some way there.

The remaining answers are still interesting, so keep going. (Thanks to John for NOT spoiling it despite knowing the full story!)


a) what aircraft?
Lockheed Hudson.

b) where is it?

c) what are we looking at?
Retractable under-belly gunners' position.

d) what else this part was used for?

I'll provide some clues if we are still stuck in a couple of hours.

_________________
James K

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

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

Looks like we need a clue.

There are very few preserved Hudsons, and of those preserved, AFAIK only one with this position fitted to the aircraft.

_________________
James K

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

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

Might it be...

Hudson Mk. III 414-3826 on display at the RNZAF Museum at Christchurch?

I also believe some Mk. III's were modified to carry lifeboats.

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

A home for wayward chickens? Or do you mean a wartime military use rather than a postwar civilian use?

I dunno. But I like the chickens answer.

_________________
"I knew the jig was up when I saw the P-51D-20-NA Mustang blue-nosed bastards from Bodney, and by the way the blue was more of a royal blue than an indigo and the inner landing gear interiors were NOT green, over Berlin."