Post amazingly cool pictures of aircraft (Volume 1)
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Technically known as the American Volunteer Group (as I said). Their popular name was "The Flying Tigers".
After the war, their leader, Claire Chennault, founded a freight airline called Flying Tigers. Flying Tigers continued in operation up until the 1980s when they were absorbed by one of the modern parcel delivery companies.
Regarding the shot of the Grumman Avenger, yes indeed, that bulbous "glass" dome at the rear of the cockpit canopy is the power operated gun turret. The gunner installed within operated a .50 calibre machine gun.
After the war, their leader, Claire Chennault, founded a freight airline called Flying Tigers. Flying Tigers continued in operation up until the 1980s when they were absorbed by one of the modern parcel delivery companies.
Regarding the shot of the Grumman Avenger, yes indeed, that bulbous "glass" dome at the rear of the cockpit canopy is the power operated gun turret. The gunner installed within operated a .50 calibre machine gun.
More Lake District images on here - http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php...
Eric Mc said:
Technically known as the American Volunteer Group (as I said). Their popular name was "The Flying Tigers".
After the war, their leader, Claire Chennault, founded a freight airline called Flying Tigers. Flying Tigers continued in operation up until the 1980s when they were absorbed by one of the modern parcel delivery companies.
Regarding the shot of the Grumman Avenger, yes indeed, that bulbous "glass" dome at the rear of the cockpit canopy is the power operated gun turret. The gunner installed within operated a .50 calibre machine gun.
All very true Chennault did some pretty good stuff during the War.After the war, their leader, Claire Chennault, founded a freight airline called Flying Tigers. Flying Tigers continued in operation up until the 1980s when they were absorbed by one of the modern parcel delivery companies.
Regarding the shot of the Grumman Avenger, yes indeed, that bulbous "glass" dome at the rear of the cockpit canopy is the power operated gun turret. The gunner installed within operated a .50 calibre machine gun.
Eric Mc said:
Technically known as the American Volunteer Group (as I said). Their popular name was "The Flying Tigers".
After the war, their leader, Claire Chennault....
After the war, their leader, Claire Chennault....
In my experience, women called Claire tend to be alarmingly aggressive (not that I wish to generalise). So a man called Claire, presumably with a lot to prove and a chip on his shoulder, must have been seriously scary.
Eric Mc said:
Technically known as the American Volunteer Group (as I said). Their popular name was "The Flying Tigers".
After the war, their leader, Claire Chennault, founded a freight airline called Flying Tigers. Flying Tigers continued in operation up until the 1980s when they were absorbed by one of the modern parcel delivery companies.
I thought he started what went on to be 'Air America', covertly run by the CIAAfter the war, their leader, Claire Chennault, founded a freight airline called Flying Tigers. Flying Tigers continued in operation up until the 1980s when they were absorbed by one of the modern parcel delivery companies.
matmoxon said:
Eric Mc said:
That colour scheme on the Aussie Hawk is disgusting. Is it the final scheme or is it just primer?
Primer.Matt
At least RAF Hawks are a bit more interesting tyo look at.
Eric Mc said:
Regarding the shot of the Grumman Avenger, yes indeed, that bulbous "glass" dome at the rear of the cockpit canopy is the power operated gun turret. The gunner installed within operated a .50 calibre machine gun.
Thanks for that. I wonder if the tail section was ever in danger of being peppered?NDA said:
Eric Mc said:
Regarding the shot of the Grumman Avenger, yes indeed, that bulbous "glass" dome at the rear of the cockpit canopy is the power operated gun turret. The gunner installed within operated a .50 calibre machine gun.
Thanks for that. I wonder if the tail section was ever in danger of being peppered?Indiana Jones: Dad, are we hit?
Professor Henry Jones: More or less. Son, I'm sorry. They got us.
Such turrets were very common on WW2 aircraft. Nearly all the British heavy bombers had them as did two odd looking fighters, the Boulton Paul Defiant and the Blackburn Roc. The aircraft were fitted with a simple "blocking" device to prevent the gun from firing when pointing directly at the tail fin.
The Defiant was not particularly successful as a day fighter but when transferred to night fighting duties they did a worthwhile job until replaced by better aircraft such as the Beaufighter or Mosquito.
The Roc was based on the turretless Blackburn Skua and was singularly useless.
The Defiant was not particularly successful as a day fighter but when transferred to night fighting duties they did a worthwhile job until replaced by better aircraft such as the Beaufighter or Mosquito.
The Roc was based on the turretless Blackburn Skua and was singularly useless.
Edited by Eric Mc on Wednesday 12th November 09:26
I read a book recently "Bomber Boys" and the british bomber crews said that their 50 cal guns were pretty much there just to make them feel better
pretty ineffective, and at night just gave the germans something to aim at when they saw the tracer fire, they said they often didn't use them even when fighters were in sight
pretty ineffective, and at night just gave the germans something to aim at when they saw the tracer fire, they said they often didn't use them even when fighters were in sight
They were even more useless because for most of the war, British bombers (and fighters) were equipped with smaller calibre .303s. It was only towards the end of the war that Britsih turrets began to be fitted with .5s.
The main role of the turret occupants in night bombers was to act as lookouts and yell evasion instructions to the pilot.
The main role of the turret occupants in night bombers was to act as lookouts and yell evasion instructions to the pilot.
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