... a rare view of the retracting 20mm cannon turrets on the B-36 Peacemaker. There were six retracting turrets in 3 groups and 2 each in a nose mount and a tail position. The ability (or lack of) the B-36 to defend itself against fighters was the topic of hot, and unresolved, debate. It was learned that during practice gunnery tests the concussion of the firing tended to break stuff (navigation equipment, hydraulic controls). Not a good thing for such a complex aircraft as the Peacemaker. Eventually most of the guns were removed in favor of higher and higher cruising altitudes; where it was hoped the early soviet jet-fighters could not reach the mighty beast.
No comments:
Post a Comment