FN16 Front Turret - 2

Our FN16 turret originated from a scrapyard and many of the internal components were missing.  These parts are very hard to find as the FN16 was an early wartime Fraser Nash turret and were only fitted to the Whitley.  We have been very lucky to find many of these missing components at Whitley crash sites around the country.  These components tend to be in very poor condition as being at the front of the aircraft they have bourne the brunt of any impact damage.  e some restored components for the turret.

Turret ring cross member (one of a pair).

New bearings for the turret ring.  The turret ring has 16 of these bearings which take the weight of the turret.

The front gunners seat.  Some examples had a padded cushion fitted which this one lacks.

Vickers K gun mounting.  This is a large and complex casting.

One major task will be getting the canopy glazing reblown.  To achieve this goal, we will need to make a mould to form the perspex.  Although our turret was stripped almost bare, we have been able to find many of the missing components at Whitley crash sites.  The first of these items - the vertical steel tubes that support the hydaulic services union above the gunners head were too badly damaged to use in the rebuild but have given parts and acted as excellent patterns.

Next