Posted By Hugh on November 12, 2007 at 16:20:47:
In Reply to: How did ball turret gunners bail out ? posted by Ed on November 12, 2007 at 09:23:22:
The ball turret was usually unoccupied during TO and landing. Once airborne,probably before 10,000ft. the BTG would hand crank the ball so that the guns were pointing straight downward. That would put the access hatch inside the plane. He would then open the hatch, climb into the ball, have someone, usually a WG help secure the hatch. He could then operate the ball turret by the normal hydraulic/electric means. Most enlisted gunners wore chest pack chutes. They wore the chute harness at all times inside the plane and tightly cinched. Most placed the actual chute pack very close by their position. In the case of the BTG, right beside the ball. If he had to bail out, he had to rotate the turret so the guns were pointing down, open the hatch and climb into the plane, snap the chute on the harness hooks and bail out, usually through the bomb bay or the right side main entrance door. The BTG was usually the smallest crewmember; if he was really small, he might clip one of the chute hooks to the harness so he could wear the chute when he was in the ball. If he had to bail out, he would rotate the guns forward, open the hatch behind his back and fall out backwards. As he fell he would clip the remaining chute hook to the harness and then pull the ripcord when desired. The B-24 ball was essentially the same as the B-17, except it was retractable. Hope this helps.
Hugh