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B-52D Stratofortress Tailgunner
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Gunner
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The Tail Gunner. So named because he sits aft of the verticle and horizontal stabilizers, and operates the MD-9 Fire Control System. The four .50 caliber BMG machine guns are capable of laying down a wall of gunfire destroying even the most manuverable of jet fighters, within its lethal range. A later model (H) would utilize the M-60 Vulcan 20 mm which was hydraulicly driven and electrically fired. The M-60 is many times improperly referred to as a Gatling Gun but is somewhat simular in appearance.
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The Gunner's cabin, as seen from the entry hatch. The entry hatch was located below the horizonal stabilizer. It required a wheeled maintenance stand for entry or exit. An alternate route would lead the gunner to slide under the horizontal stab., through the aircrafts "47 section" and out the right rear wheel well. Although this later route was reserved for the more nimble and lean of the "Beer Guzzlers."
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Gunner,s Cabin
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Gunner,s Forward View
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The gunner's forward view over "his left shoulder." The closest wing like structure is in fact the horizontal stabilizer. The others, obiviously being, the right wing, nacelle #4 with engines 7 & 8 and the droppable external fuel tank. Note the cylinderical object, out of focus, on the left edge. This is a window heater, which purpose is to prevent fogging of the canopy.
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