posted 01-30- 02:20 PM               

This was removed because of the huge reduction in speed caused when the turret was lowered.

The first sqn to experiment with a ventral turret in the Halifax was 429 Sqn. The bubble was there and they mounted a .50 cal. There was mixed reaction as to it's effectiveness. The spot where the turret was is where they ended up putting the H2S system. Hence the reason for no turret.

They debate has been whether it was detrimental to the defense of the bomber. 214 Sqn operated B17's and they removed the ball turret because they found it ineffective because they could see absolutely nothing while in the ball turret.

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Kopper

Fortunae Nihil
(Nothing to Chance)
OPPs Making SDOE a Dangerous place.
One plane at a time.

posted 02-01- 11:32 AM               

As others have noted the turret and it's associated fairing was removed and simply faired over - this is the condition of the Hamilton Lanc for instance. In many other cases the existing "manhole" was used as a perfect spot for the H2S antenna, which is the bulbish protusion found at the rear of many Lancs.