384th During WWII / Aircraft / B-17G Aircraft / B-17G 42-31435 SU*S, "WEST END" | 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in World War II

384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in World War II

Welcome to the 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) Photo Gallery. This gallery makes available the photographic and documentary portion of the 384th BG record. All content on this gallery is visible to all visitors. Those wishing to enter a comment or contribute images will need to register and log in (links at left of Home page). Please register for an account when you need access beyond viewing gallery content. For additional information about the 384th BG, visit the 384th Bomb Group website⇗.

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Home / 384th During WWII / Aircraft / B-17G Aircraft / B-17G 42-31435 SU*S, "WEST END" 16

This B-17G was fitted with an experimental chin turret armed with 6 fixed .50 cal. machine guns, designed by Armaments Officer Mike Mazer. The firing of the guns was controlled by the Pilot. Aircraft 42-31435 successfully completed many operational sorties with the new nose gun installation but, while conclusively proving the mechanical practicability of the design, a temporary cessation of head-on attacks by enemy attacks prevented the proof of its effectiveness. The ship crashed returning from a bombing mission on July 6, 1944.