B-17 Ball turrets

scalabro · Post by **scalabro** » Mon. Mar. 19, 2018 4:11 pm

I thought some of you gentlemen may be interested in these photos. The ball that is completely zinc primed is a “late” version, the other an “early” version. The late version is going to be installed on the B-17 “Liberty Bell”. I have been trading my A&P skills for pilot training, to assist with the restoration of both as well as the ‘43 Aeronca L3B. The ‘48 Chief that’s hoisted up is mine and is next in line to be re-covered. If there is any interest I will post more detailed pictures of the ball.

https://www.facebook.com/B-17-Flying-Fortress-Lib ... 809765182/

gaw · Post by **gaw** » Mon. Mar. 19, 2018 6:38 pm

I find all that old airplane stuff interesting. Pictures are great as far as I am concerned. Radial engines are my favorite.

Hambden Bob · Post by **Hambden Bob** » Mon. Mar. 19, 2018 9:32 pm

Geez.... Talk about a true rarity ! To have both early and late in the house is a true marvel. I could be dead wrong,but I think the initial R&D was pioneered by Sperry Corp. I think they also broke through with the revolutionary remote controlled twin .50BMG chin turret. Compared with the first B-17's,the Ball Turret made a huge difference in Air Combat and in helping these Birds make it Home. The Biggest Difference was the Brave SOB's that operated these turrets. Alot of them never made it back to The World... Thanx a bundle,Scalabro,and keep the updates coming on the progress !

scalabro · Post by **scalabro** » Mon. Mar. 19, 2018 10:07 pm

Ding ding ding .... Hbob is a winner! Yes they were designed by Sperry, but mfg by several companies. I forget who made the primed one, I think the early one is a Sperry turret. Good on you Bob

Gaw, I’ll get a couple of Wright R2600 pics and post them up. The gent who runs the shop is restoring a Grumman TBF-1 Avenger. The wings are in the picture below the Chief. When finished, it will be one of only two flying TBF’s on Earth.

Seagrave1963 · Post by **Seagrave1963** » Tue. Mar. 20, 2018 5:23 am

Enjoying the pics! Keep the coming and thanks for sharing some history.

coalnewbie · Post by **coalnewbie** » Tue. Mar. 20, 2018 6:41 am

Our building inspector (a tiny man) who was stationed in Ashford Kent England was such gunner. Marion and I spent many an hour talking about those flights and pubs as I know Ashford well. During 4 lengthy visits he never seemed to inspect anything on our 200' metal riding arena that I was building then. REAL character and he is still missed in Chester. As I recall he lost most of his toes to frostbite on one flight, I guess they did not have coal stoves installed.

scalabro · Post by **scalabro** » Wed. Mar. 21, 2018 7:58 pm

Some more pics. The turret with the bubble is from a AT11. The very tiny radial is a B29 APU (aux power unit) it’s been modified to turn a prop and is going on a DR1 replica that is registered as experimental, it develops 50hp. The cylinders pictured are front and rear row sets from a Curtiss Wright R2600 that develops 1800 hp. They are each 186 cubic inch. That motor is going on the TBF pictured.

Qtown1835 · Post by **Qtown1835** » Thu. Mar. 22, 2018 11:27 am

Now that's a project! Cool stuff right there. I bet its challenging finding parts on Craigslist...

Hambden Bob · Post by **Hambden Bob** » Sun. Mar. 25, 2018 4:26 pm

scalabro wrote: ↑
Mon. Mar. 19, 2018 10:07 pm
When finished, it will be one of only two flying TBF’s on Earth.

What a Banger this Thread is ! I've had the priviledge to witness the other TBF fly over my place on Sandusky Bay ! It's at Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton,Ohio ! I seen it in house. I also have laid hands on a TBF here in Ohio that had been saved by a Wildman that brought Warbirds Home by purchasing them as scrap.... You just never know what you"re gonna see,here,in the Coal Zone !

scalabro · Post by **scalabro** » Sun. Mar. 25, 2018 4:55 pm

Hahahahaha! The owner just dropped off a restored WWII target drone engine & prop to that museum!

This is the shop....

http://northamericanrestorations.com

Hambden Bob · Post by **Hambden Bob** » Sun. Mar. 25, 2018 5:03 pm

YA-Ya !! I forgot that the name O' Da' Place is Liberty Aviation Museum ! Here's a link :

www.libertyaviationmuseum.org

Hambden Bob · Post by **Hambden Bob** » Sun. May. 13, 2018 10:52 pm

How's Turret World Going ?

scalabro · Post by **scalabro** » Mon. May. 14, 2018 6:29 pm

Funny you should ask Bob! That one turret was supposed to be delivered to a customer at “Sun & Fun” in Florida last month. While we were installing it into its mount the rigging gave way and it dropped about 1 foot to the floor, cracking the left side casting

. So now it has to come back apart and get welded.

On another note the Aeronca L3 I’m chained to is almost ready for its first engine start after a nasty ground loop.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Mon. May. 14, 2018 6:56 pm

Not just you Scott--but so many people in seriously high tech jobs & can't post a pix right side up--Just sayin!!! LOL

Sunny Boy · Post by **Sunny Boy** » Mon. May. 14, 2018 7:09 pm

freetown fred wrote: ↑
Mon. May. 14, 2018 6:56 pm
Not just you Scott--but so many people in seriously high tech jobs & can't post a pix right side up--Just sayin!!! LOL

Come on Fred, can't you see that plane is pointed in the right direction ? Ya don't have to worry until you see it facing the opposite direction. And it's already tried that once so hopefully it learned it's lesson.

Paul

B-17 Ball turrets

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