Message for B-17man

Hello Skipper, you are right.

The old thread “B-24 or UFO?” ended with hypothesys.
Since I read that B-17man restored a Martin top turret (B-24 DUGAN), now I address my question to him hoping to have confirm and other informations.

Best regards.
Mauro

This is an answer to a question posed on this board a few months ago!

I can’t recall the thread but it was along the lines of “can someone identify this part?” – B-24 related I’m sure.

I just can’t search for it just now after at least 12 Stellas……. :rolleyes:

Many thanks Bomberboy!

I also realized the follow drawing to explain the lateral shapes.
I don’t understand the function of the third wavy cam (at the bottom).

First cam = right gun
Second cam = left gun
Third cam = ?

Best regards
Mauro

Excuse me for this private message but I don’t succeed in sending e-mail directly.

Hello B-17man,

I am a warbirds enthusiast and a historical amateur researcher.
I write from Italy. Excuse me for my poor english; I hope it is comprehensible.

Some time ago I found a part belonged to a B-24 D shooted down in northern Italy on 28 December 1943.
The item is a metallic cilinder ( about 10cm / 4inch long) and on its surface some strange geometrical shapes are engraved.
I enclose a picture (4 views) of the object and a drawing of its development.

When I read the following extract about the “profile cut-off gunfire interrupter” of a top turret, I thought that it is the main component of the some device.

From “British Aircraft Armament – Volume 1” by R. Wallace Clarke, pagg. 170-171:

“The profile interrupter protected the airframe. It consisted of a cam enclosed in a protective covering, which was turned by a pinion meshing with the turret ring gear. As the turret revolved the cam turned at the same rate. On the cam, an exact miniature of the portions of the airframe were engraved. Fitted to the cam cover was a switch box containing three micro switches, and the contact was opened when a micro switch arm struck the engraved part of the cam. This broke the gun firing circuit and automatically stopped the guns firing.”

Can you confirm my hypothesis?
Every further information and/or picture about this device is welcome!

Many thanks.

Best regards
Mauro

Mauro,

Excuse my interdiction here, I know B-17 man very well and will likely see hom tomorrow evening.

Looking at the images you have compiled almost certainly agrees with the hypothesis you are putting forward.
The profilles look correct for the B-24 and if you notice, there are two level which one can only deduce to take into the account that the top turret has two guns.

Regards

Bomberboy

PS your English is very good and far outstrips my knowledge of Italian which is Zilcho.