| The B-17 Flying Fortress waist gunners were in a very | | | | suit to protect from the -50 degree temperatures at |
| exposed position on the aircraft. It's not like the other | | | | 30,000 feet. Ice was a concern if it blocked the |
| crew members were not exposed, it's just that the | | | | oxygen masks. As gunners, they manned .50 caliber |
| waist gunners had to stand right in the opening of the | | | | machine guns that had just a ring and ball sight so they |
| fuselage for all to see. And they had to deal with the | | | | pretty much had to have good sight alignment to be |
| freezing wind blowing in on them. | | | | accurate. Later model B-17's had an improved sight. |
| Aside from their responsibilities of manning the machine | | | | Earlier model aircraft had the two waist gunner's right |
| guns, they were the eyes for the crew to announce | | | | across from each other which made for getting in |
| any incoming aircraft and to give any details | | | | each others way a problem. Later models off set the |
| concerning their own aircraft in formation. They also | | | | positions to alleviate this problem. As enemy pilots |
| assisted with first aid and repairs at the aft end of the | | | | learned to attack the flying fortress from the front the |
| plane being it was difficult for anyone forward to work | | | | waist gunners were not able to get off as many shots |
| their way back. | | | | as in earlier days and when they did it was as the |
| They wore layers of clothing along with a heated flight | | | | enemy quickly flew past. |