Website Theme Change

On October 9, 2025 I changed this site's theme to what I feel is a much better design than previous themes. Some pages will not be affected by this design change, but other pages that I changed and new pages I added in the last several days need to have some of their photos re-sized so they will display properly with the new theme design. Thank you for your patience while I make these changes over the next several days. -- Ray Merriam

Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress "West End"

Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress serial number 42-31435 coded SU-S "WEST END" of the 384th Bomb Group.

 

B-17G serial number 42-31435 coded SU-S "WEST END" of the 384th Bomb Group.

 

Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress serial number 42-31435 coded SU-S "WEST END" of the 384th Bomb Group.

 

B-17G serial number 42-31435 coded SU-S "WEST END" of the 384th Bomb Group, 17 June 1944. This B-17G was fitted with an experimental chin turret armed with six fixed .50 cal. machine guns, designed by Armaments Officer Mike Mazer. The firing of the guns was controlled by the Pilot. Aircraft 42-31435 successfully completed many operational sorties with the new nose gun installation but, while conclusively proving the mechanical practicability of the design, a temporary cessation of head-on attacks by enemy attacks prevented the proof of its effectiveness. The ship crashed returning from a bombing mission on July 6, 1944.

 

Another view of "WEST END’s" experimental chin turret armed with six fixed .50 cal. machine guns.

 

Another view of "WEST END’s" experimental chin turret armed with six fixed .50 cal. machine guns.

 

It was more of a fixed forward-firing gun pod than a turret and the ammunition was stored in the nose compartment. You can see the feed chutes going up through the lower part of the fuselage.

 

Another view of "WEST END’s" experimental chin turret armed with six fixed .50 cal. machine guns.

 

Aircraft 42-31435 “West End” successfully completed many operational sorties with the new nose gun installation but, while conclusively proving the mechanical practicability of the design, a temporary cessation of head-on attacks by enemy prevented the proof of its effectiveness.

 

“West End” crash-landed on RAF airfield at Manston on 6 July 1944 due to flak damage and unfortunately the landing destroyed the front turret.

 

B-17G serial number 42-31435 coded SU-S "WEST END". Crashed at Manston, 6 July 1944, with Maggart crew, roughly left to right:
Engineer/Top Turret - Gregory, Charlie F
Tail Gunner - Kobulik, Andrew (NMI), Jr (standing)
Pilot - Maggart, Richard L
Togglier - Hamilton, Cecil A
Copilot - Seidlein, George H
Flexible Gunner - Huff, George L
Radio Operator - Johnson, John W
Navigator - Galloway, Leonard (NMI)
Ball Turret - Wittwer, Derall B


 

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