How Many Guns on a B-17?
The B-17 Flying Fortress was a legendary American heavy bomber used during World War II, known for its distinctive design and impressive firepower. But just how many guns did this iconic aircraft possess? In this article, we’ll delve into the details and provide a comprehensive answer to this question.
Contents
Overview of the B-17’s Defenses
The B-17 Flying Fortress was designed to withstand heavy enemy fire and enemy fighters. Its defensive arrangement consisted of a combination of machine guns and cannons installed in various positions around the aircraft. The primary responsibility of these guns was to protect the bomber from harm and ensure the safe passage of its crew and precious cargo.
Machine Guns and Cannons
The B-17 was equipped with a total of 12 machine guns and 2 cannons. Let’s break down the individual positions and types of weaponry:
- Turret-mounted machine guns:
- Top Turret: 1x.50-cal M2 Browning machine gun in a powered turret, which could be controlled by a dedicated gunner.
- Ball Turret: 1x.50-cal M2 Browning machine gun in a rotating cage, also controlled by a dedicated gunner.
- Fixed machine guns:
- Nose Gun: 1x.50-cal M2 Browning machine gun positioned in the nose of the aircraft, controlled by the bombardier.
- Tail Gun: 1x.50-cal M2 Browning machine gun mounted in the dorsal turret, controlled by the top turret gunner.
- Cannons:
- Powered Gun Turret: 2x.20mm M3 Browning cannon in a powered turret positioned on the rear of the aircraft, controlled by the top turret gunner.
Total Gun Count
Adding up the individual guns, a B-17 Flying Fortress was equipped with a grand total of:
- 12 machine guns (.50-cal M2 Browning)
- 2 cannons (.20mm M3 Browning)
This massive firepower was designed to make the B-17 an extremely difficult target for enemy fighters and anti-aircraft guns.
Gunner Positions
The B-17 Flying Fortress required a dedicated team of gunners to man its defensive armament. The typical crew consisted of:
- Top Gunner: Controlled the powered gun turret and the dorsal turret.
- Nose Gunner: Manually controlled the nose machine gun.
- Waist Gunner: Loaded and maintained the waist windows, but did not normally fire the machine guns there.
- Ball Turret Gunner: Rotated the ball turret while firing the machine gun from within.
- Tail Gunner: Controlled the tail machine gun.
In addition to these dedicated positions, the bombardier/navigator also operated the Nose Gun in some cases.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the B-17 Flying Fortress boasted an impressive array of weaponry, consisting of 12 machine guns and 2 cannons. This formidable armament was designed to keep the aircraft safe from enemy attacks, and its intricate system of gunner positions and defensive arrangements played a crucial role in the Allies’ success during World War II.
Table: B-17 Gun Armament
| Gun | Type | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| .50-cal M2 Browning Machine Gun | Turret | 2 |
| .50-cal M2 Browning Machine Gun | Nose | 1 |
| .50-cal M2 Browning Machine Gun | Tail | 1 |
| .50-cal M2 Browning Machine Gun | Waist | 3 |
| .20mm M3 Browning Cannon | Powered Turret | 2 |
Footnotes:
- During the war, some aircraft were modified to carry experimental armament, such as the .30-cal M1919 Browning machine gun or additional .50-cal M2 Browning machine guns. However, this article focuses on the standard B-17 gun arrangement.
- The B-17’s defensive armament was constantly evolving, and some aircraft may have featured variations in gun placement, type, or quantity due to modifications or upgrades over the course of the war.
