B-17G with Pod in place of Chin Gun?

[harrison987]

I have to admit, my knowledge is mainly the German side...

I have a WW2 photo of a B-17G...but rather than the normal chin gun, it has a pod which is of the same shape and size..also the rear aerodynamic fairing was removed. Colour of the B-17 is aluminum..od is painted white

What the heck is it?

Thanks!
mike

[Zemper]

It is probably a radar dome. These radar domes were usually installed in place of the ball turret, but some seem to have been mounted in place of the chin gun assembly.

-Eric Z.

[shooshoobaby]

Mike - Do you have Serial # ?
It was probably a Late F Model with no Chin Turret.
F Models # 42 - 30932 to # 42 - 31031 were built
with Reinforced Lower Nose.
When the G Model came out with Chin Turret ,
The Radome was moved to replace Ball Turret.
Mike

[Leendert]

Mike,

You may want to read this story as well: http://www.imagesofmotorsport.com/fe...ankeelady.html

Some B-17s were converted to PB-1G models for air-sea rescue service in the US Coast Guard and had the chin turrets removed for a radar dome.

Regards,

Leendert

[Leendert]

Mike,

Here's a USCG PB-1G: http://www.uscg.mil/History/WEBAIRCRAFT/PB1G_3.jpg

Regards,

Leendert