Wings of Freedom: B-17G Nose

B17-G Nose

The front of the plane is dominated by the Plexiglas bubble-shaped nose, in which the bombardier sat to locate his target. After releasing the bombs, the bombardier took control of the chin turret with two .50 caliber machine guns (which was an innovation of the B-17G, the final version; earlier versions lacked it).

B-17G Nose

To each side are .50 caliber cheek guns, which were manned by the navigator, whose position was also in the nose, behind the bombardier's station. Two windows on the side of the nose are right above the navigator's desk.

Interior of B17-G Nose

B-17G Bombardier’s Station

These views into the nose show the bombardier's station, and the .50 caliber cheek guns that the navigator usually manned. This was a vulnerable position, as the Plexiglas nose offered little protection from enemy fire. The bombardier was a commissioned officer, usually a 1st Lieutenant.

B-17G Cheek Gun

Here is a closer look at one of the .50 caliber cheek guns. During a bombing run, these would be the primary defense against oncoming enemy fighters; even if the bomber was equipped with a chin turret, during the run the bombardier would be too occupied with locating the target to be able to use it.

B-17G Navigator’s Desk

This is the navigator's desk. Like the bombardier, the navigator was a commissioned officer, usually a 1st Lieutenant. The navigator in the lead bomber was responsible for leading the entire group to the target; however, every bomber carried a skilled navigator with all the maps and charts, so in case the lead bomber was shot down, another could take over the lead. Each individual navigator was responsible for getting his plane safely home if problems forced it to break formation and return early, or if it was separated from the group after the bombing run.

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