Operation Ordnance Part Deux

The tail turret had always been on the radar for the crew on "Miss Mitchell". It was one of the long past opportunities that had come and gone. We even thought that some of the parts were lost! Lo-and-behold those parts were found, and we have had great help with getting the project going. The goal is to have a fully functioning (minus the guns, sorry!) rear turret! The system is surprisingly complicated, using hydraulic pressure. The parts have been painted (not shown here) and will be reassembled soon! This isn't the only project going however. The bombardier wiper is almost finished, the top turret continues to get additions, and the bomb release system is really coming along! Keep an eye out for more!
(Select Photos Thanks to Earl Teporten and Brian Strom)

(The project lead, Nate Timm, takes aim!)


(Nate begins removing what was installed of the turret)


(All that remains is an empty hole!)


(The removal team... Rob Hardcopf, Tom Youngdahl, Nate and Art Minkel)


(As stated, it is a very complicated piece of equipment. We learned a lot taking it apart)


(Nate and Larry Utter free up one of the bearings)


(Mark Strausser preps parts for paint)

(Earl Teporten works on the trailing antenna system, while Tom studies the tail turret manual)

(This is the control pedestal for the tail turret. It has an electric motor that drives a hydraulic pump.)

(Art cleans and preps everything for a fresh coat of paint)

(The bomb release panel has been removed from the aircraft and now sits upstairs. The bell on the bottom is a "Bail-out Bell")

(Earl has worked hard to identify each wire, and make any repairs necessary to the box.)