I took a tour of a B-17 Flying Fortress a couple of weeks ago. Very impressive with its 13, 50.Cal BMG'S. Once I got home I researched it a little more and came across some information on the deicing system for the props, leading edge of the wings, etc. Then I wondered, how did they keep freezing rain and ice accumulation from building in and on the forward facing 50's. There are 2 on the nose turret and then 2 cheek guns that have to point pretty much straight forward into the flight path.
The remaining guns can be rotated toward the aft but still they had to be operated in an extremely hostile environment. At 25,000 to 30,000 feet the temp's were 30 to 50 degrees below zero. Did they have gun heaters? Special lubricant? Looser tolerances than the ground based 50's?
They also had some sort of sighting system involving mirrors, at least on the waist guns. Also had a couple of dials to use to set the air speed of the aircraft into the gun.
I can't find much on the web about aircraft guns.
Thanks for any help or leads!
The remaining guns can be rotated toward the aft but still they had to be operated in an extremely hostile environment. At 25,000 to 30,000 feet the temp's were 30 to 50 degrees below zero. Did they have gun heaters? Special lubricant? Looser tolerances than the ground based 50's?
They also had some sort of sighting system involving mirrors, at least on the waist guns. Also had a couple of dials to use to set the air speed of the aircraft into the gun.
I can't find much on the web about aircraft guns.
Thanks for any help or leads!
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