Was the ball turret retractable?

In the case of the B-24, the Liberator’s tricycle landing gear design mandated that its A-13 model Sperry ball turret have a vertically retractable mount, so that the turret would not strike the ground as the plane pitches up for takeoff or during the landing flare.

How does a Sperry ball turret work?

The Sperry Lower Ball operates hydraulically on pressure built up by a hydraulic pump driven by constant speed electric motor. Its sight is the K-4 Sperry automatic computing sight, described in the Sights and Sighting section of this manual. The turret can turn 360 degrees —a full circle—in azimuth.

How did the B-17 bomber protect its turret gunners?

Ball Turret Gunners on B-17 bombers were protected only by a glass bubble jutting out from the bowels of the plane. Permanently fixed and unable to be retracted, there was no hiding from enemy attack. It was an enclosure that at any time could become an airman’s coffin. And often did.

What would happen if a B-17 bomber could land on its belly?

The conventional landing gear of the B-17 allowed for a non-retractable mount, but if the plane was required to do a belly landing (such as in the case of landing gear system failure), the ball turret would likely be destroyed due to the lack of clearance, meaning anyone occupying the turret would be in a precarious position if unable to escape.

Why did the B-24 Liberator have retractable landing gear?

In the case of the B-24, the Liberator’s tricycle landing gear design mandated that its A-13 model Sperry ball turret have a vertically retractable mount, so that the turret would not strike the ground as the plane pitches up for takeoff or during the landing flare.

What happened to B-17s in WW2?

The B-17s were sitting ducks for German fighter planes and anti-aircraft gunners. It wasn’t until 1944 that fighter escorts were deployed to accompany them on their missions. By that time, thousands of airmen had perished over the skies of Europe.