Parts for Sperry Ball Turret??

[jpeters]

I was curious if anyone out there knows where to find parts or original manuals for a Sperry Ball Turret? I've searched numerous different warbird parts websites, with little or no luck.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

John

[DryMartini]

There are parts around, but things can be kinda pricy.
As for manuals, have you tried the Smithsonian?
They have been pretty good with stuff like that.

[jpeters]

Bill,

Thanks for the reply. Yeah you're absolutely right when you said that items are pricy (when you can find them). Every now and then, some parts will pop-up on ebay. In fact I just acquired a beautiful pair of complete charging handles (with cables) off of ebay recently and paid a pretty penny for them.

A gentleman from "Twinbeech Aircraft Co." located in California mentioned that he has a few minor parts and a mold for making a replica ball turret. If I'm not mistaken, I believe many warbird restorers have to resort to making reproduction turrets because of the sheer scarcity of original parts.

I'll start contacting the Smithsonian and a few other air museums as well. Thanks for your help!

John

[DryMartini]

We're looking at making out own A-1 top turret
for the very same reasons you mention.

I have some manuals, but they are in the basement,
and the house is being remodeled at the moment.
I know I have some A-13 (B-24 style retractable)
manuals. If I can find them, I'll let you know.

The one thing about making castings is the shrinkage
involved (for aluminium, it is what, about 1/8" per foot)
and that has been an issue for some parts.

Hey - Does anyone have docs/schematics for a Bell
E-8/E-11/E-13 recoil adapter? The National Archives
doesn't, and I cannot find an mention of them, other
than at the patent office.

[Dave]

Bill,
I have some spare parts from these, I think I have the bronze casting that fits underneath that holds the bolt that the 50 cal fits into, also I believe that I have the 2 curved castings that connect to the C-19 adapter. Will try to dig them out and send some photos to you.
I made a couple of mounts out of spare parts that we recovered/dug up at Thorpe Abbotts airfield (100 BG)

[jpeters]

Dave,

Thanks for helping Bill out with his A-1 turret project. If you come across any ball parts, please keep both of us in mind.

Thanks again and best of luck to you!

John

[DryMartini]

BTW, did you get the cockpit photos I emailed you?

Any particular areas you were more interested in?
Let me know.

[Dave]

Bill,
Thanks for the pics, they have helped a lot, I am just putting together the overhead section with the windows in, I have made the windows and they came out quite good, good job we had an oven big enough to put the plexi into. I will keep a look out for turret parts for both of you.

I did spend some time working on the IWM at Duxfords ball turret, they got from the U.S, It is pretty much complete and they are planning to display it, iits just missing the entrance hatch and the hanger pole assembly, will try to dig out some photos.