IIRC Its also worth noting that many early G models did not have chin turrets

Rich

It’s more the other way around. It was actually many late B-17F’s that left the factory WITH a chin turret, despite being F models. Some had the cheek guns left off.

My model B-17G “Hang The Expense” serial 42-31035 is based on a Batch 1 a/c, which was only the 4th B-17G built. It was fitted with the chin turret but was delivered without any cheek guns. Through combat experience, the AAF refitted them as time allowed. If you look through the bombardiers nose glass, you will see that this B-17G-1-BO, does NOT have a port cheek gun. The Navigator told me that only the starboard one had been fitted by the time the plane was destroyed in a take off crash. You will also note the long flash guards on the barrels. He said that without them, the flash scorched and damaged the bombardiers viewing panel if the guns were fired in an upward direction.

Steve

PS Non-Bombardiers who released the bombs on the lead plane were known as Toggliers