The gun is covered by default. When enemy is near, it uncovers. There is also a command, but I forget which.
I love this plane and its cool cockpit function.
I've never liked this plane, and I've never given a notice, untill I flew it in IL2. Than I changed my mind. It flies beautifully, surprisingly maneuverable, very tight turning abilities and absoulutelly low stalling speed. I'm impressed! The gunner position gave me a headache until I tried to open the side window in the cockpit. I surprised that the cockpit open message appeared, but I didn't see any change in the pilots seat. Than I went to the gunner position and it was already opened, although there were no enemy fighter activity in that area (autopilot opens dorsal and ventral gunner shields when enemy fighters appears). Than I had the solution. I was also surprised that no flap control. I thought it has no flaps at all. Than turned out, it has automatic flaps and leading edge slots. Very impressive!
Very funny, but when carry torpedo, it has some very ancient like sight in the cockpit. Of course, it works well actually. I like the bead and ring gunsight for the fixed forward firing 12,7mm Breda mg, I can fly some dogfight against for example I-15s. Really great fun to use this aircraft in a dogfight. Of course, you have to choose some under-armed and slow fighter (biplane, usually) to fight against them.