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| Weapons Systems Tech. Technology behind the weapons and systems within aircraft. |
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05-03-2009, 08:36 PM
| #1 |
| Junior Member Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 3
| B-17 G Chin Turret Zippers I have asked a number of G model pilots and mechanics but none have been able to answer this.. Did the zippers on the chin turret ever get stuck because they were coated with ice? Those high altitudes and temperature differences must have created some moisture and it would be hard to believe they didn't stick...If so, what was the remedy if any? Thanks in advance, |
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05-03-2009, 08:41 PM
| #2 | |
| “Archive”   Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 4,852
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__________________  "Valor does not mean Hero." | |
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05-03-2009, 11:42 PM
| #3 |
| Senior Member  Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Redding, California
Posts: 3,357
| In about 8 days, I'll be aboard a B-17G...I'll ask the guys this question and see what they say.
__________________  "Look back over the past, with its changing empires that rose and fell, and you can foresee the future." - Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome > I Support Doug Gillis < |
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05-04-2009, 12:24 AM
| #4 |
| Senior Member  Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Dallas, Tx
Posts: 4,346
| How are you getting the opportunity to get aboard a B-17 GG?
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05-04-2009, 12:31 AM
| #5 |
| Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Redding, California
Posts: 3,357
| I know the secret handshake...hehe Actually, Aluminum Overcast will be here in town the 11th, 12th and 13th and I'm doing a photo shoot before they let the public in for tours.
__________________ "Look back over the past, with its changing empires that rose and fell, and you can foresee the future." - Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome > I Support Doug Gillis < |
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05-04-2009, 12:52 AM
| #6 |
| Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Dallas, Tx
Posts: 4,346
| Ah, very cool. Can't wait to see your pics.
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05-04-2009, 06:41 AM
| #7 |
| “Archive” Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 4,852
| Never flown in her but been inside her many times. Its a great aircraft sponsered and flown by the EAA.
__________________ "Valor does not mean Hero." |
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05-04-2009, 11:14 AM
| #8 |
| Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Redding, California
Posts: 3,357
| Yes indeed, and the local chapter here has some great folks, including a quite a few WWII vets. The thread with the schedule for Aluminum Overcast's tour: http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/wwi...9-a-16682.html (Aluminum Overcast, Spring 2009) By the way, she is most likely going to be retired after this tour.
__________________ "Look back over the past, with its changing empires that rose and fell, and you can foresee the future." - Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome > I Support Doug Gillis < |
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05-04-2009, 04:56 PM
| #9 | |
| “Archive” Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 4,852
| Quote:
__________________ "Valor does not mean Hero." | |
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05-04-2009, 06:27 PM
| #10 |
| Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1,766
| It was a power turret, wasn't it? If there were icing/jamming problems, surely the guns would just rip the zips (or the canvas) away and keep travelling? |
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05-04-2009, 10:42 PM
| #11 |
| Junior Member Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 3
| What a great forum..Thanks for the welcome and I am impressed with the responses and quickness of reply... I think Colin1 is right about the guns just ripping through the zippers, but if this were a common problem, wouldn't there be a solution? |
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05-04-2009, 10:48 PM
| #12 | |
| Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Redding, California
Posts: 3,357
| Quote:
__________________ "Look back over the past, with its changing empires that rose and fell, and you can foresee the future." - Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome > I Support Doug Gillis < | |
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05-04-2009, 11:58 PM
| #13 | |
| Senior Member  Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: oregon
Posts: 3,944
| Quote:
I don't know how moisture protection factored into the use of the zipper covers. | |
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05-13-2009, 12:56 AM
| #14 |
| Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Redding, California
Posts: 3,357
| Ok, while I was visiting Aluminum Overcast today, I got some official lowdown regarding the two main questions in this thread  The first being about any icing issues on the zippers. According to a number of ETO vets who flew aboard B-17s, the icing could get terrible, but the turret never suffered any malfunctions because of a frozen zipper. Also I was told the ball turret gunner wasn't happy about the crew "relieving" themselves while they were at altitude, because the "liquid" would spray back and freeze all over the ball turret. I know you're thinking that doesn't have anything to do with the first question, but *technically* it does...there was a zipper involved The second question, regarding the possibility of Aluminum Overcast being retired after the 2010 season: Not gonna happen, according to her skipper. They have decided to keep her going as along as they can. The outfit that owns/operates Aluminum Overcast has one of the largest collections of spare B-17 parts in the world.
__________________ "Look back over the past, with its changing empires that rose and fell, and you can foresee the future." - Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome > I Support Doug Gillis < |
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05-13-2009, 05:05 PM
| #15 | |
| “Archive” Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 4,852
| Quote:
__________________ "Valor does not mean Hero." | |
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