Original Items: Only One Set of 4 Available. The importance of Bombers during WWII cannot be understated, both as a way to destroy the enemies war production ability, as well as a way of softening up defenses prior to a ground assault. However in many cases the fighter escorts did not have the range to support the bombers all the way to their targets, so the bombers of WWII needed to be heavily armed, with guns covering as many directions of approach as possible.

Unfortunately due to the needs of aircraft design, it was not possible to have directly aimed guns covering all sides, so numerous motorized turrets were developed to help defend these aircraft. Some were "manned", while others were remotely controlled, but all would require specific training on their use. There were many different types of bombers, and different manufacturers of motorized turrets, all of which would require different types of training, which meant there were numerous different manuals, guides, and pamphlets published for them during the war.

This wonderful archive consists of the following manuals & instructional pamphlets:

- SIGHTING: FOR ARMY AIR FORCES INSTRUCTORS SCHOOL: FLEXIBLE GUNNERY. This manual has the name M.D. STEWART written on the front, and is dated APRIL - 1944 on the interior. It is a manual concerning how to properly train gunners to aim for and track, aerial targets, which was not nearly as intuitive as aiming on the ground. Location, relative speed, and other aspects all had to be taken into account for effective aiming that would prevent wasted ammunition. It looks like there are most likely some pages missing from the back.

- Student Notes : SPERRY TURRET LOWER BALL. This looks to be a student workbook for the Tyndall Field USAAF Flexible Gunnery School, and has the name, squadron, and class information of Walter M Reznick, the student who used it. There are instructions on use of the turret inside, and also lots of hand written notes on several pages. Definitely some great research potential here!

- Martin TURRETS for the Martin B-26 Marauder twin-engine medium bomber. Published by the DEPARTMENT OF ARMAMENT, this manual is named on the front cover, and also has another name in the back over notes regarding training. This manual concerns the motorized dual .50cal dorsal turret mounted on the back of the bomber forward of the tail.

- POWER TURRETS: HOW TO OPERATE AND TAKE CARE OF THEM. Part of THE BOMBER FIGHTS BACK series, marked RESTRICTED and dated MAY '44. This technical manual concerns the operation and care of THE BENDIX CHIN, a powered turret designed to protect the nose of the B-17 Bomber. The gunner sits just above the turret, and has to use the sighting apparatus to aim the turret.

A lovely archive from WWII Army Air Force gunnery training, ready to research and display!