[Jim Oxley]

I was once told by a Spitfire pilot (who flies the Temora Aviation Museum's Spitfire on showdays) that a standard rate level turn at 45 degrees exerts 3g at 300mph. That's fairly easy to picture and just gives an idea of G forces.

So if a pilot can function fully between 3 to 5g then there is no reason why a gunner cannot. However the limiting factor for the gunner is fighting the slipstream force acting aginst him.

Mick Mannock (of WWI fame) instructed his pilots that the best way to attack a single two-seater is to dive in fast from above left quarter, steady as if to shoot, and then quickly swing across to the two-seaters opposite quarter. The Se.5 could swing across from one side to the other faster than the rear gunner could drag his gun across against the force of the slipstream, especially if the two-seater pilot was manoeuvering at the time. And thats at only speeds of around 100mph.

So at speeds in excess of 250mph the forces acting against the rear gunner in a Me110 would be quite severe. A gunners effectiveness would possibly be more a function of strength than anything else.