posted 10-18- 01:42 PM               

Looking back from the tailgun, you can see the rest of the plane....unlike the original. There has been a well for the tailwheel added since these shots

This showa the waist gunners area. The yellow blocks are the ammo hoppers, which look odd from this angle, but fine from 'inside'. You can also see the ball turret support and oxygen supply.

And lastly, this one should be the radio op area. unless I've got my screenshots screwy....

The main fuse has 12 faces, over the originals 10. Total poly usage so far is about 75% of the total original fuse & interior with the bomb-bay and front portion still to do. Initial estimates indicate a 25% increase in poly count over the original with lots more detail. Should be o.k. for framerates. Then there will be the people....and the 'damaged' people.... oh dear, I'm getting rather carried away...still, YOU MADE ME DO IT....

posted 10-18- 03:15 PM               

I have been in a couple B-17G's restored to wartime configuration. The wall behind the tailgunner does exist, there was no view of the interior from the TG position. Plus I have read accounts of tailgunners going down with the plane because the intercom was knocked out and they didn't didn't know that the crew had bailed or was dead, so they must have been isolated.

posted 10-18- 04:54 PM               

When I peeked inside the 17 at Duxford, you could see all the way down. View was partially obstructed by the tailwheel well, and there is some intrusive struts from the tailplane spars. Between the two of these, most of the view is obstructed, but not all. I am working from one example of a non-flying restoration. It could well be wrong.

If anyone can give me a view from the tail, looking forward, I would be grateful. Better to get it right now!

p.s. Thanks Whirlwind, you just gave me another excuse to watch Memphis Belle...again!

posted 10-19- 03:28 AM               

In the screenshot there are no tail spars in ( still to do )

p.s. Watched Memphis Belle, and there are no bulkheads as such. When the co-pilot nips back to shoot a 109, he has a clear run, apart from ducking under the tail spars. Also, you COULD see the tailgunner, but you are right Whirlwind, the Tailgunner cannot see forward without getting out of his seat and ducking under the tail spars!

Oh, and I noticed something else!

There was no bulklhead forward of the Mid-upper gunner. There is in the OE B17, and in the cutaway of a 'G' that I was using for reference. The specs don't mention any bulkhead chanegs for the G model.

Is Memphis Belle a reliable reference?

It certainly looked good with a big ring mount and the gunner swinging to and fro behind the pilot!

"Who's our wingman"
"Mother & Country"
"Damn Rookies!"