[Graham Boak]

I'm sure that you are right in terms of the way the design originated: I don't know but suspect you may well be right about the remaining fuselage skin - although I do wonder a little about access for the gunner in that case. I thought that movement between the positions was possible in flight, and I don't see how that could be easily managed with significant structure in the way. It is normally said that close companionship was one of the morale-boosting reasons for the design of German bombers, and it is difficult to see how this can be if the gunner is lying in a closely-fitting coffin. But this is a discussion based on questions - I don't know. Surely this must be visible on cockpit photos?