[ARC5] PB4Y2

[Robert Eleazer]

The PB4Y-2 was one of only three aircraft types to carry actual side turrets, not observation blisters such as a PBY Catalina has, but real rotating turrets.  The side turrets were made by ERCO, as was the spherical nose turret.

Normal fit was the ERCO nose turret, two Martin top turrets, the two ERCO side turrets, and the tail turret.  It did not have a belly "ball" turret like the B-17 and B-24.

The ERCO nose turret was also used on some Navy PB4Y-1 aircraft, which were modified B-24's. And also on the Martin PBM Mariner flying boat.

The PB4Y-2 was noteworthy in that some models had radar-directed tail guns.  I believe that some B-29's were the only other WWII aircraft so equipped.

I have a picture of a PB4Y-2 with "D67" on the fuselage.  Another photo shows one in postwar all-blue paint with "EH" on the vertical stabilizer, which the book says belongs to VP-23. 

Wayne 
WB5WSV