O.T. WW2 bombers again


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Posted by Doc Dave on Saturday, September 22, 2007 at 11:16:32 :

My father in law was trained as a tail gunner on a B-29 and got his wings when he finished. Just before he was to go over to the pacific, Harry Truman ended the war with the bomb.
THe B-29 was significantly advanced over the 17 , 24 and all other bombers of the war.
It was pressurized inside, it had a fire control center where the guns could be fired if need be from a central location near the top turret, as well as other advancements. For example, at the tail gunner position, the guns were actually down below the gunner. He had an instrument that looked like a small CRT screen display where he framed the target with joystick knobs, then fired.
My father in law said that in gunnery school, the way they were trained how to lead the enemy fighters was to first teach them how to shoot skeet with 12 gauge shotguns. Once that was mastered, they graduated to firing at moving targets in the air...drones I believe. If I guy could not learn to shoot skeet, then he did not make it.
When we were in Seattle and went through the 17 and 24, there was a 29 being restored. I hope some day to go through that one too, and take my father in law with me. He is 81 so I hope they hurry.



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