B-32 Ball Turret Restoration

[retroaviation]

You do realize we have a turret here at CAF HQ that is supposed to be out of a B-32, right? You need to come to Midland to see if there's anything you think you can do to restore it as well.

Gary

[CAPFlyer]

Umm... unless a second one's appeared out of thin air, this one IS the turret that was at HQ from the B-32. They shoved it in the back of the R4D years ago and told us to take it.

I'll be out at Midland in a couple of weeks to help Dave though, so I guess I can take a look and see if its another project that Jerry wants to take on.

(Yeah, I'm deflecting)

[retroaviation]

This isn't a ball turret, it's an upper turret (I think).

Just too lazy to post a picture right now.

Gary

[CAPFlyer]

Well heck, maybe we do need to bring it home after AirSho '09. It'd be the start of a Gunnery Trainer...

I think I've seen some pictures of that one (in fact I think you posted them during the Diamond 'Lil thread). It's in pretty rough shape, but it'd need to be looked at for how much it's really going to need. I know that all we've done with the Ball Turret is clean it up really good and paint it as it was actually in pretty good shape.

[Second Air Force]

CAPFlyer,

If you do build the 250CE turret trainer keep us posted. I wanted to build one of the stationary trainers for our Historical Society but I very much doubt we'll ever be able to collect up enough material to build a turret. It's extremely hard to get anything for a dinky little Airbase Museum out in the middle of nowhere.

I appreciate the update!
Scott

[CAPFlyer]

Hey Scott, if you want to donate the drawings, box tubing, and welding expertise, I'm sure we'd be happy to have a 250CE...

[Second Air Force]

Well, if you want a 250 I know where to find one. Just drive west for a while.

This is all I have to work with at our Museum:

These are the rings that the turrets bolted to at the Harvard AAF gunnery range in Nebraska. That and a couple of little pieces of a 250 are all we have, and all we're likely going to have. It's sort of hard to build a suitable display from that.

[Django]

This is the only pic I have of the one at HQ. I thought I had a better one.

[CAPFlyer]

As promised, pictures of the turret as it appears now -

Newsletter article by Jerry on the turret


The turret -

[CAPFlyer]

As you can see, they've made a TON of progress. The next project is getting the glazing done and then it'll be substantially complete except for the machine guns and the control unit.

[Alan Brooks]

Hey Guys! Great job by Chris and other DFW members....... I had a message that there is almost enough money (need about another $400) allocated in the "B-32 Turret Fund" to purchase both of the replica 50 cal's from Aero Trader. Seeing the 50 cal's on Ol'927 convinced more than one DFW wing member that Carl Scholl and Tony Ritzman's shop was the place to go! So, I am going to put a few bucks into the Turret fund for the DFW wing. If any others want to contribute a few bucks, you can! If by check, make it payable to the DFW Wing CAF and send it to:

Jim Breitenstine
6908 Ridgewood Dr
Fort Worth, Tx 76132

email: Jbreitens@gmail.com

Last edited by Alan Brooks on Tue Nov 11, 2008 12:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Second Air Force]

Here is the rest of the turret that Django posted:

[CAPFlyer]

Quick update -

Charlie has ordered the replica AN-M2 from AeroTrader and it should be delivered any day now. They threw in the charging plates for both guns (THANKS!). He also ordered the Evergreen adapters for them to fit the turret mounts and they should also arrive shortly. We already have an AN-M3 (post-war version of the M2), but we are also getting a barrel sleeve from AeroTrader to match it to the AN-M2, so it will make them look nearly the same when the project is completed.

They are still working on the Plexiglas, but a source for the work (potentially to be donated) has been located, so hopefully that will be moving forward soon as well.

All we have left really beyond that is locating a control column or reasonable facsimile of one to put into the turret and we'll be about done with the initial cosmetic restoration. If anyone has good pictures of the turret and control column or has one, please contact us!

I'll post a couple of pictures later of some additional painting that's been completed.

[Alan Brooks]

Ok, I'm giving a small update with no pics........ The guns have been installed in the turret....... Charlie is working on getting the plexi pieces molded for the turret..... He may tackle that job himself..... However you slice it, work is progressing.... I will get some photos soon..... Alan

[eagle21]

Hello, I have been meaning to add these pictures for the last two weeks, since I was at the CAF/DFW wing hangar in Lancaster. They are (obviously) of the B-32 turret. Now to see if I can get the pictures to load right! If not, you may have to click on the link. OK, I don't guess I will ever be able to figure out how to just get the picture to show.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40514979@N04/3727556057

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40514979@N04/3728356974

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40514979@N04/3728358004

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40514979@N04/3728357694