Let's divert for a moment to discuss superstition. Some crewmen carried a rabbits foot, or perhaps a photo of a girl friend or relative, or any number of different objects as "good luck charms", but there was a general feeling that if you got back from a mission in good shape, "don't change anything..." If you did things in a certain sequence, do it the same way again. In some ways this might have had some beneficial effects. The airmen tended to constantly review the order of things and would be less apt to forget something important. Repetition is, after all one of the great tools of training. Under stress, when time is extremely short, repetitious training can prove to be a lifesaver. One can quickly react, without a lot of complicated thought processes. Have I tended to complicate a very simple thing? Probably yes!

So the tail gunner boards through the tail hatch. That's the way he boarded for his first mission and that's the way he will board for all missions. Who says he's superstitious?

The tail gunners position in a B-17 has one advantage. Great visibility. This is especially true of the G model with the modified Cheyenne tail. This modification allows ability to see in all directions except straight forward or straight downward. The gunner can clearly see both the outer port and starboard engine nacelles on the wing ahead, if he cranes his head a bit. Directly above is a small clear Plexiglas oval window which allows a view of the rudder movements. The space is confined but not cramped or claustrophobic. The visibility helps in this regard. Everything needed is close at hand. The gunner kneels on two knee pads and sits on a bicycle seat between. These support his weight adequately, though not comfortably. Facing the rear (6 o'clock) the guns are about a foot in front of the gunner. These are "hand held". All movements are made physically by the gunner with no power assist. However they are well balanced and can be manipulated quite easily. The two caliber .50 M2 Browning machine guns are cradled in Bell Mount Adapters which hydraulically cushion the recoil of the guns. Above the guns is an armored glass view plate and just in front of this is the gun sight. This sight is a straightforward, non-computing sight with an illuminated ring reticule. It moves in exact coordination with the guns. On either side of the gunner are large boxes containing 1,000 rounds of cal .50 ammo. On your right side is the oxygen supply regulator, and the rheostat for adjusting the electrically-heated suit. Also in the near vicinity is a rubberized small funnel and tube leading to the outside of the aircraft. This is the "relief tube" and is used when nature calls. It is rubberized for the same reason that the silk gloves are worn on the hands. Were it not so, a VERY tender part of the anatomy might stick to the frozen funnel and cause immeasurable grief. Also on the right of the position is the radio receiver selector for intercom, command channel, etc. The 'push to talk switch' is mounted on the gun grips. There is a spare "walk around" oxygen bottle mounted on the left which is used to supply portable breathing capability if an emergency arises involving other crew members. So there it is...sparse but compact. It will be the gunners space for the next eight or ten hours.