23.07.2008, 09:22
Well I'd not be to quick to say that on earlier models (G and back) that they were "factory fit blisters"....One of the verry impressive aspects of the 5th AirForce groups being their innovation and those ideas then used by the factories in subsequent improvements.
We all know of the gunpack additions, and then nose gun modifications for strafers, yet few realize the worthless belly turret was removed and replaced with a drop tank (how they made those long flights to Wewak). So it would not surprise me if as you say the "large" mid-section opening was not field made, and then someone else came up with the idea to take it a step further (shoving the gun mounts out further to give more room) and came up with a bay window of sorts, the blister, for more room and a better view. SO very possibly just another great idea by the folks in NewGuinea.
Others some may know of were of course B-24 nose turrets (simply a tail turret fitted to the front), and P-38 wing leading edge fuel tanks (how they got their range to Wewak)....Lot of talent in that air group :wink:
K2
We all know of the gunpack additions, and then nose gun modifications for strafers, yet few realize the worthless belly turret was removed and replaced with a drop tank (how they made those long flights to Wewak). So it would not surprise me if as you say the "large" mid-section opening was not field made, and then someone else came up with the idea to take it a step further (shoving the gun mounts out further to give more room) and came up with a bay window of sorts, the blister, for more room and a better view. SO very possibly just another great idea by the folks in NewGuinea.
Others some may know of were of course B-24 nose turrets (simply a tail turret fitted to the front), and P-38 wing leading edge fuel tanks (how they got their range to Wewak)....Lot of talent in that air group :wink:
K2