Just behind the Cockpit of the Commemorative Air Force's (Mesa, AZ) B-17G 'Flying Fortress' a WW-II heavy bomber on display this week at the Fargo Air Museum.

Between the nose section and the bomb bay is the flight deck, or pilot's compartment. It is also equipped with a Sperry power turret with twin .50-cal. machine guns. The B-17 is a most effective gun platform, but its effectiveness can be either applied or defeated by the way the gunners in your crew perform their duties in action. Your gunners belong to one of two distinct categories: turret gunners and flexible gunners. All gunners should be familiar with the coverage area of all gun positions, and be prepared to bring the proper gun to bear as the conditions may warrant. They should be experts in aircraft identification. Where the Sperry turret is used, failure to set the target dimension dial properly on the K-type sight will result in miscalculation of range. They must be thoroughly familiar with the Browning aircraft machine gun. They should know how to maintain the guns, how to clear jams and stoppages, and how to harmonize the sights with the guns. -manual