FighterControl

Hi Guys,
Can anyone shed any light on the differences I've noticed with the dorsal turrets on the two Lancasters?
Cheers
Pune

One is a Lancaster B.I, one is a Lancaster X.

EGCC wrote:One is a Lancaster B.I, one is a Lancaster X.

That's not entirely the answer though. Late Mk X had the electrically operated Martin turret with 2 0.50 cal rather than the more familiar Fraser Nash type with 2 good '0.303 cals. Because of the weight of the Martin turret (though it was smaller), it is placed further forward for CoG reasons. The Martin turret also didn't need a coaming as it had internal gear that prevented the guns firing on the aircraft itself, the Fraser nash needed the coaming to prevent this.

Mk 1 is a Fraser Nash turrent, the coaming is to stop the gunner shooting the top off the tail and Cockpit. Mk X turret is a Martin turret and is mounted furhter forward to maintain C of G, it has an automatic system to prevent the gunner shooting the aircraft. I'm not an expert I have just been looking a the Wikipeadia entry for the very same question as yours Pune

When I first saw the BBMF Lanc in the mid 70's, it didn't have a dorsal turret. Then it was announced one had been found in Brazil, so it was acquired and fitted. presumably the found turret is the correct type for that mark of Lanc?

I heard that the turret was on display in Lincoln somewhere, (iirc. Drill Hall) and was donated to the BBMF. I also recall that Hindles of Lincoln made the metalwork as this was missing....

The mid-upper turret was sourced from Argentina as explained in here http://www.lancasterassociation.co.uk/achievements

One of the turrets in this display area at NAM was once displayed (temporarily) at the Drill Hall in Lincoln; a bit different to the gigs I went to there in the 1970s!

Hi Guys,
Thanks for all the info', interesting stuff, going to see them both in September for a close up.
Cheers
Pune