Former college football star Lt Robert Barnett in gunner’s Seat of SBD – 1944
The rear cockpit of the SBD Dauntless and A-24 Banshee was equipped with defensive armament designed to fend off enemy aircraft, particularly the agile and dangerous Japanese Zero fighters. Here are the key features and components of the rear gunner’s setup:
Armament Configuration
Machine Guns
- Type: Browning M.2 .50 (12.7 mm) caliber machine guns
- Quantity: Initially one, later upgraded to a pair for improved defensive capability.
Mounting System
- Mount: Flexible mount Mk 11-3
- Attachment: The mount was attached to the gun truck using an adapter post.
- Gun Truck: Mounted on a circular tilting ring, which also supported the gunner’s seat, allowing for flexible aiming.
Recoil Management
- Shock Absorbers: Pneumatic shock absorbers were mounted on the gun mount adapter to absorb recoil.
Ammunition and Firing
Ammunition Storage
- Container: A stainless steel box mounted across the rear of the gunner’s compartment.
- Capacity: 1,000 rounds of ammunition.
Ejection System
- Chute: As the guns fired, spent cases and links were ejected through a chute between the guns, ending up on the floor of the compartment.
Gun Stowage
- When not in use, the machine guns could be stowed under a panel in the upper fuselage decking, ensuring they were out of the way and protected from the elements when not needed.
Sighting System
- Earlier Models: Equipped with a ring and post sight.
- SBD-6 Model: Upgraded to a Mk 9 illuminated gun sight, offering improved targeting capability.
- Armored Panel: Mounted above the guns, featuring a cut-out for the gun sight to protect the gunner while maintaining visibility and aiming accuracy.
This configuration provided the rear gunner with a more effective means of defending the aircraft against enemy fighters, significantly enhancing the survivability of both the gunner and the aircraft in combat situations.