World War II Database

1.  Bill says:
18 Nov 2014 08:12:22 PM

During WWII B-24 tail gun positions were equipped with a power driven turret that was based on the consolidated design. During the war turrets were improved and models were modified to speed up production by other wartime contractors.
Sperry, Bendix, Emerson, General Electric, Martin
and Consolidated were all involved in wartime turret production.

FULL METAL JACKET:

The B-24 tail turret's twin fifty caliber machine guns were loaded with 1,200 rounds that's 600 rounds per gun. That fifty slug is big and can cause a lot of damage. The fifty caliber is what you want to use when you want to reach out and touch someone. 1,200 rounds, this sounds like a lot of ammo, but in the heat of battle, it lasts a very short time.

SHORT BURSTS:

Gunners learned to fire short bursts even a one second burst of fire, was 13 rounds and crews would carry extra ammo as much as they could get away with, without overloading the bomber, this wasn't official but it was done. Did you know that
all the power driven turret's and machine guns were electrically heated as well as the crews flight suits, it gets cold at 30,000ft/9.144km

2. Anonymous says:
6 Feb 2015 07:40:34 AM

My Dad was a tail gunner on a 8-24H the name was "Natcherly" He was shot down over Italy. He and one other survived the crash. Great information on this site.

3. Mike says:
1 Dec 2015 10:21:05 AM

My father was also the tailgunner,his ship "Star Duster" (Saturn w/girl and martini) .I didn't know that the tail turret guns were heated and the suits(well some of them anyway)

4. Janet says:
9 Jan 2017 10:03:28 PM

My Daddy was also B-24 tail gunner on "Rods Roddies" in the South Pacific. Daddy completed 50 missions! I am blessed he shared so many experiences with me. Daddy was a proud veteran and very patriotic man. I will continue his legacy. The Greatest Generation!🇺🇸🗽

5. Anonymous says:
4 Jun 2022 05:42:53 PM

My dad was the pilot of the Natcherly, was your dad Hubba? He talked about him all the time