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Robert Wall | all galleries >> Galleries >> airshows_and_aircraft > B-29 Superfortress
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29-Nov-2021 Robert Wall

B-29 Superfortress

Main Gate, Dobbins Air Force Base, Marietta, Geogia

The General Electric Central Fire Control system on the B-29 directed four remotely controlled turrets armed with two .50 caliber Browning M2 machine guns. All weapons were aimed optically with targeting computed by analog electrical instrumentation. There were five interconnected sighting stations located in the nose and tail positions and three Plexiglas blisters in the central fuselage. Five General Electric analog computers (one dedicated to each sight) increased the weapons' accuracy by compensating for factors such as airspeed, lead, gravity, temperature and humidity. The computers also allowed a single gunner to operate two or more turrets (including tail guns) simultaneously. The gunner in the upper position acted as fire control officer, managing the distribution of turrets among the other gunners during combat.


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