REME 245 Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 There is a picture of one coming ashore at Normandy. The Dutch also had some at the end of the war. I have also seen one in a Berlin vehicle park at the end of the war so amazingly they did see some limited service in NW Europe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Dwyer Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 Through the randomness of google search, I came across this image of yet a different configuration for the Beaverette. Available via <https://militaryhistorynow.com/2015/04/13/dads-armaments-six-impromptu-weapons-of-the-british-home-guard/> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Dwyer Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 (edited) Some interesting pictures (and narrative . . .) at <https://www.facebook.com/groups/367632986662004/?hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen&multi_permalinks=7147803888644846> Posted by Michael Rowley. Edited March 2 by Adrian Dwyer additional images Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Dwyer Posted April 7 Share Posted April 7 This image appeared on FB. Not a Beaverette but an interesting mod. Does anyone know for what specific purpose these vehicles were developed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10FM68 Posted April 7 Share Posted April 7 56 minutes ago, Adrian Dwyer said: This image appeared on FB. Not a Beaverette but an interesting mod. Does anyone know for what specific purpose these vehicles were developed? Weren't they built for ground-training aircraft turret crews? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MatchFuzee Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 (edited) Chevrolet G506E-5 Turret Training Training Truck More captioned photos:- https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/2021/05/26/chevrolet-g506-e-5-turret-training-trucks/ Edited April 8 by MatchFuzee 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Dwyer Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 Thank you for both helpful replies. The absence of fitted armour certainly suggested a role short of combat. Do we know if these trucks were stationary; or were they used as mobile training platforms in some enormous and unpopulated desert? As the article notes, the shotgun training vehicle was used on-the-move: but this would seem less likely for the twin MG turret. As an aside, the Sperry-trainer must have been something of a challenge! All the best and thanks again. A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MatchFuzee Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 2 hours ago, Adrian Dwyer said: Do we know if these trucks were stationary; or were they used as mobile training platforms Stationary in this photo:- A posed photograph, but interesting as it shows jacks being installed under the front bumper to stabilize the vehicle. Note the placard with the number “4” in front of the turret. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Dwyer Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 The link has some great images. If I had looked a little closer at this picture - rather than being seduced by the turret images - I think I could probably have answered my own question. Good to see the risk assessment meant the jeep carrying the target was unmanned whilst traversing the range! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Dwyer Posted April 9 Share Posted April 9 23 hours ago, Adrian Dwyer said: Thank you for both helpful replies. The absence of fitted armour certainly suggested a role short of combat. Do we know if these trucks were stationary; or were they used as mobile training platforms in some enormous and unpopulated desert? As the article notes, the shotgun training vehicle was used on-the-move: but this would seem less likely for the twin MG turret. As an aside, the Sperry-trainer must have been something of a challenge! All the best and thanks again. A And here is another phase of ball-gunner training <https://www.facebook.com/planehistoria> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10FM68 Posted April 11 Share Posted April 11 By chance, while looking for other things, I came across this photo which is rather topical. It shows how the RAF did it! Rather more cost-effectively, I suspect! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citroman Posted April 11 Share Posted April 11 Nice minature trains on the floor at the ball gunner trainer...☺️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Dwyer Posted April 12 Share Posted April 12 Interesting that the 'Dark Side' took its inspiration from the Sperry ball turret . . . and not the Beaverette. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MatchFuzee Posted April 12 Share Posted April 12 (edited) An article on gunnery training:- https://tailendcharlietedchurch.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/gunneryrailway.jpg Photo of RAF Hells Mouth Airfield Moving Target Range. Edited April 12 by MatchFuzee 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Dwyer Posted April 12 Share Posted April 12 1 hour ago, MatchFuzee said: An article on gunnery training:- https://tailendcharlietedchurch.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/gunneryrailway.jpg Photo of RAF Hells Mouth Airfield Moving Target Range. Great pictures! A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryH57 Posted April 12 Author Share Posted April 12 And now RAF Armoured Cars Use of captured equipment hasn't had much attention at MV shows. Why haven't we seen any 'LR Sdkfz 222' painted as RAF? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Dwyer Posted May 9 Share Posted May 9 Building on the theme. Source (not secure) <http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=73961> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryH57 Posted May 9 Author Share Posted May 9 (edited) Looks like a training aid for a Catalina waist gunners position? Edited May 9 by LarryH57 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citroman Posted May 10 Share Posted May 10 Yes looks like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Dwyer Posted May 10 Share Posted May 10 (edited) Also, early B-17s? <http://www.aviation-history.com/boeing/b17.html> Edited May 10 by Adrian Dwyer typo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enigma Posted May 11 Share Posted May 11 On 4/12/2024 at 1:47 PM, LarryH57 said: And now RAF Armoured Cars Use of captured equipment hasn't had much attention at MV shows. Why haven't we seen any 'LR Sdkfz 222' painted as RAF? people seem to like German vehicles so much they even convert US of UK trucks to look like them. Also original German stuff is very rare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAFMT Posted May 26 Share Posted May 26 On 5/10/2024 at 6:16 PM, Adrian Dwyer said: Also, early B-17s? <http://www.aviation-history.com/boeing/b17.html> On 5/9/2024 at 11:15 PM, LarryH57 said: Looks like a training aid for a Catalina waist gunners position? Both the Catalina and early B-17s had blisters that rotated out of the way for the guns to be swung out. The blister turret in the photo is the type used on the Consolidated Privateer and probably a few other naval types. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Dwyer Posted August 9 Share Posted August 9 And how the Luftwaffe did it (from 'Our Forces' Facebook page). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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