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AAF B-17 Bomber Gunner display


hawkdriver
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My grandfather was a waist gunner on a B-17 named Junior in the 385th Bomber Squadron during WWII. No one in the family ever paid much attention to his stint in the Army, so most of his memories were forgotten and put away. I decided that I would honor his history by setting up a gunner display of what he wore.

Through the help of several people on this board, I have aquired almost all of the equipment that I needed and here it is as I put it together.

 

This first picture is of the blue bunny suit

i5an0n.jpg

 

I got the leathers on and the Mae West, the boots were tough as the zippers on the trousers were stuck and it was hard getting the material over the top of the boot

103yljn.jpg

 

Here is the gunner harness in place

4rxnj9.jpg

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This is the addition of the flak vest

2s8r09t.jpg

 

The addition of the oxygen mask, gogles and leather flight helmet.

2hoxqm8.jpg

 

The addition of the flak helmet, cod piece to the armor, and the bail out chute

2z9iix4.jpg

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Because of the weight of the equipment and the flexible maniquin, I had to sit him down in my Huey seat to keep him from collapsing. One thing I learned putting this together is that it is very difficult to put this stuff on. I had to dress in somewhat equivelent equipment while in OIF, but this stuff was very cumbersome to put on, I'm guessing that they had to help dress each other as it was almost impossible for me to put the armor on by myself, I couldn't imagine doing it by ones self.

Also, don't let anyone observe you dressing a maniquin by yourself, it is almost pornographic.

Thanks to those of you that have helped me to aquire much of this stuff, mainly Maurentis.

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Very well done ! :bravo: You really did a super job, congratulations, and thank you for posting it as you dressed him. History and honor, it is what is in ones heart.

 

Tony

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HD

 

Nice display.I dont envy you putting on all that shearling and armor.The shearling can be a job and easliy tear too. :thumbsup:

 

RON

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HD

 

Nice display.I dont envy you putting on all that shearling and armor.The shearling can be a job and easliy tear too. :thumbsup:

 

RON

 

Ya, the butt had a tear and it's worse than before, but fortunately he is sitting down now!

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Also, don't let anyone observe you dressing a maniquin by yourself, it is almost pornographic.

 

Having three of the suckers myself, I laughed myself silly at this comment. I generally ensure I do a clearing patrol before I engage in such activities...

 

Great set up, I have soft spot for the USAAF bomber crews myself. My own grandfather flew for the KMT in the CBI and then CAT.

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My wife's uncle was a flier in the AAC. He was in the 100th BG at Thorpe Abbotts in East Anglia in 1943. He was lost on what I believe was his 8th mission; the 10 October 1943 raid on Munster.

 

The equipment display looks good and I realize you are trying to show all the gear but

I think that the parachute was not worn all the while in the aircraft. There just was not room, particularly in the gunner's positions. They wore the harness and, in an emergence, the chest pack chute was clipped on after discarding the flak vest and helmet.

 

Again, I'm not nit-picking.....it's a nice depiction.

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My wife's uncle was a flier in the AAC. He was in the 100th BG at Thorpe Abbotts in East Anglia in 1943. He was lost on what I believe was his 8th mission; the 10 October 1943 raid on Munster.

 

The equipment display looks good and I realize you are trying to show all the gear but

I think that the parachute was not worn all the while in the aircraft. There just was not room, particularly in the gunner's positions. They wore the harness and, in an emergence, the chest pack chute was clipped on after discarding the flak vest and helmet.

 

Again, I'm not nit-picking.....it's a nice depiction.

 

Roger that, the chute is just sitting on his legs because I don't want it sitting on the concrete floor and soaking up moisture. Originally, when I had him standing before the armor, I tried to have his hand holding the chute, but the wire in the fingers wasn't able to hold the weight. I do have another maniquin that is sturdier, however, the legs are to close together to allow the pants to fit, so for now, I'm stuck with this moldable one.

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Roger that, the chute is just sitting on his legs because I don't want it sitting on the concrete floor and soaking up moisture. Originally, when I had him standing before the armor, I tried to have his hand holding the chute, but the wire in the fingers wasn't able to hold the weight. I do have another maniquin that is sturdier, however, the legs are to close together to allow the pants to fit, so for now, I'm stuck with this moldable one.

 

For an idea trying a piece of thin rope around the waist, run it round the back of the mannequins neck and then down the arm (all this *under* the clothes), then you could attach the parachute to the of the rope sticking out from the sleeve so that while it *appears* the 'chute is being held by the hand, the weight is actually being supported by the torso.

 

I have tried this method rigging up weapons being held by mannequins rather than having them slung.

 

Hope this helps ...

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Actually, that is a good idea, I may give that a try. I thought about removing the shelving and turning that corner into a mock up fuselage and hanging it on the wall like they did in the aircraft.

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Actually, that is a good idea, I may give that a try. I thought about removing the shelving and turning that corner into a mock up fuselage and hanging it on the wall like they did in the aircraft.

 

There is (or at least there was some years ago) a mock up of a B-17 waist gunner's station at the 8th AF Museum in Savannah GA.

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There is (or at least there was some years ago) a mock up of a B-17 waist gunner's station at the 8th AF Museum in Savannah GA.

 

Actually, I just arrived in Huntsville Alabama, the home of the 385th bombardment group museum. I have contacted the guy that is in charge of it and he is going to give me and my buddies a tour. This guy was a gunner in my grandfathers squadron, this should be interesting.

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Actually, that is a good idea, I may give that a try. I thought about removing the shelving and turning that corner into a mock up fuselage and hanging it on the wall like they did in the aircraft.

 

 

That maybe a good alternative.If you can get some pics and have them blown up to poster size and the quality is good I can see a whole new wall paper theme at casa de Hawk!!!

 

RD

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Johan Willaert

Actually the middle straps of the harness go thru the crotch loop too... but it'svery hard to attach them on a mannequin...

 

See the Pilot from my collection below...

 

Also on the same mannequin, there is a piece of plastic covered steel wire running up the left arm (and attached over the right shoulder) to which the parachute pack is attached, giving the impression the left hand carries the pack... Just to give you an idea...

 

USAAFCrew.jpg

 

Nice mannequin and great tribute!!!

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Johan: Thanks, I didn't know about the straps going through the crotch strap, I am just used to wearing a five point harness in our seat and they look the same, so I did it the way I'm used to, but your way makes sense, spread the weight a little so that the family jewels are less likely to get crushed when that chute opens.

 

Doyler: What I was thinking was developing a faux .50 spade grip and have him holding onto the spades in a squating/back leaning posture. that would allow me to hang the chute and the bail out bottle on the wall, I could then run wire up and around the back to help hold him up and take some tension off the legs. I really don't like the sitting posture, it looks un-natural. He looks more like a paratrooper waiting for a jump. Anyone got a good depiction of a gunners area on a B-17?

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Thanks Johan, good pictures. Funny how no two guys are dressed alike. Not a single flak helmet worn among them.

 

Photos of aircrewmen wearing flak helmets aren't all that common. I have seen some of pilots on bombers wearing them, but other crew positions not so much.

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Johan Willaert

Look at the 1943 version of Memphis Belle and you'll see Capt Morgan flying the Belle with a standard M1 shell rear side to the front over his cap...

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very nicely done! but, a word of advice--- if you have this in the garage or basement, get it out. the worst place. in a room in the house is always better. :thumbsup:

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