There were a vast multitude of powered turrets used on US military aircraft in the Second World War.  Typically, these turrets were as massive and complex as a small car, yet the vast majority have been lost to history.  Today’s surviving examples are largely Frankenstein amalgamations, as interest in this technology was overshadowed by that of the aircraft themselves.

Still, powered turrets are a point of fascination for me, and to help keep my research organized, I thought it might be nice to put together an online listing of US aircraft powered turrets.

The idea here is to list each type, noting the manufacturer (and designer, if different), designation, and aircraft it was paired with.  The illustrations are taken from each turret’s manual, as are the specific aircraft block numbers which they applied to.

Naturally, the information below is limited to what resources I have available.  As such, this is a work-in-progress. Visitors are encouraged to contribute resources and information, if available.  Turret maintenance/operation manuals and aircraft parts catalogs are particularly helpful in providing the sort of information needed.  The Army and Navy equipment indexes have proven surprisingly inaccurate, often listing the wrong part numbers and illustrations for the various turrets, so the aforementioned manuals and catalogs would be far more preferable as primary sources.

Last Updated 13 November 2024

US Army Turrets

Type A-1 Upper
Sperry Gyroscope of Brooklyn, New York (Designer) (645473E)
Steel Products & Engineering Co. (SPECO) of Springfield, Ohio
Emerson Electric of St. Louis, Missouri
Boeing B-17E through B-17F-80-BO

*Note that the turret pictured is a late-production Emerson.  Older models of both turrets included an external oxygen tank.  SPECO turrets included a variety of dome types.

Type A-1A Upper 
Steel Products & Engineering Co. (SPECO) of Springfield, Ohio (SP-2475)
Emerson Electric of St. Louis, Missouri
Boeing B-17F-80-BO through B-17G-90-BO

*Note that the turret pictured is a late-production SPECO.  Older units, as well as all Emerson ones, were visually similar to late-production A-1s.  

Type A-1B Upper
Steel Products & Engineering Co. (SPECO) of Springfield, Ohio (SP-2485)
Boeing B-17G-90-BO through B-17G-110-BO

Type A-1C Upper
Steel Products & Engineering Co. (SPECO) of Springfield, Ohio (SP-2490)
Boeing B-17G-95-DL

Type A-2 Lower (Ball)
Sperry Gyroscope of Brooklyn, New York (Designer) (645796J)
Briggs Manufacturing of Detroit, Michigan
Emerson Electric of St. Louis, Missouri
Boeing B-17E 42-2505 through B-17G-20-BO

Type A-2A Lower (Ball)
Sperry Gyroscope of Brooklyn, New York (Designer)
Briggs Manufacturing of Detroit, Michigan (30126)
Boeing B-17G-20-BO through B-17G-110-BO

Type A-2B Lower (Ball)
Briggs Manufacturing of Detroit, Michigan
Emerson Electric of St. Louis, Missouri

*While designed for the Boeing B-17G, the Boeing blueprints suggest that this turret was never issued.

Type A-3 Upper
Glenn L. Martin Co. of Baltimore, Maryland
250CE-2
Martin B-26A
250CE-3
Consolidated B-24

Type A-3A Upper
Glenn L. Martin Co. of Baltimore, Maryland
250CE-2A
Martin B-26B
250CE-6
Martin B-26B-1

Type A-3B Upper
Glenn L. Martin Co. of Baltimore, Maryland
250CE-3
Consolidated B-24D-CO through B-24D-35-CO
Consolidated B-24J-70-CO through B-24J-85-CO

Type A-3C Upper
Glenn L. Martin Co. of Baltimore, Maryland
250CE-4
Martin B-26A through B-26C
250CE-5
Consolidated B-24D-35-CO through B-24D-170-CO
Consolidated B-24H-1-CF through B-24H-30-CF
Consolidated B-24J-1-CO through B-24J-70-CO
Consolidated B-24J-85-CO through B-24J-175-CF
250CE-7 (Converted to 250CE-12 on 2 January 1944 by company order)
Lockheed B-34/B-37
250CE-11
Boeing YB-40
250CE-13
PV-2

Type A-3D Upper
Glenn L. Martin Co. of Baltimore, Maryland
250CE-15
Consolidated B-24J-175-CO through B-24J-210-CO
250CE-16
PB4Y-2 (Forward Turret)
250CE-17
PB4Y-2 (Aft Turret)

Type A-3E Upper
Glenn L. Martin Co. of Baltimore, Maryland
250CE-14
Martin B-26F

Type A-3F Upper
Glenn L. Martin Co. of Baltimore, Maryland
250CE-13A
250CE-13B
250CE-16A
250CE-16B
250CE-17A
250CE-17B
250CE-225

Type A-4 Upper
Bendix Aviation Corp. of South Bend, Indiana (78001)
L
North American B-25B through B-25C/D

Type A-5 Lower (Belly)
Bendix Aviation Corp. of South Bend, Indiana (78500)
J

Type A-6 (Navy 250CH-3)
Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California
32F5800-3 Tail:
Consolidated B-24D-CO through B-24D-35-CO
29F4824 Tail:
PB2Y-3

Type A-6A
Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California (32F5800-4)
Motor Products Corp. of Detroit, Michigan
Southern Aircraft Corp. of Garland, Texas
Tail:
Consolidated B-24D-35-CO through B-24J-80-CO
Consolidated B-24D-CF through B-24J-10-CF
Nose:
Consolidated B-24J-1-CF through B-24J-15-CF
Consolidated B-24J-1-CO through B-24J-75-CO

Type A-6B
Motor Products Corp. of Detroit, Michigan (MPC5800-5)
Southern Aircraft Corp. of Garland, Texas
Tail:
Consolidated B-24J-80-CO through B-24J-210-CO
Nose:
Consolidated B-24J-15-CF through B-24J-40-CF
Consolidated B-24J-75-CO through B-24J-180-CO
250CH-2 Tail
PB4Y-2
250CH-5 Nose
PB4Y-1
PB4Y-2
250CH-6 Tail
PB4Y-1
PB4Y-2
250CH-6B Tail
PB4Y-2

Type A-6C (Navy 250CH-6)
Motor Products Corp. of Detroit, Michigan
Southern Aircraft Corp. of Garland, Texas (SAC-7-200)
Consolidated B-24M

Type A-6D
Southern Aircraft Corp. of Garland, Texas (SAC-7-600)
Consolidated B-24M

Type A-8 Upper
Crocker-Wheeler Division (Joshua Hendy Iron Works) of Ampere, New Jersey (T-5500-N)
National Mineral Co. of Chicago, Illinois (NMT-5500-N)
Beechcraft AT-11

Type A-9 Upper (Navy 250CE-1)
Bendix Aviation Corp. of South Bend, Indiana (80701)
N (Converted to A on 25 January 1944 by company order)
North American B-25C/D through B-25C-20/B-25C-10

Type A-9A Upper (Navy 250CE-3)
Bendix Aviation Corp. of South Bend, Indiana (82000)
A
North American B-25

Type A-9B Upper (Navy 250CE-4)
Bendix Aviation Corp. of South Bend, Indiana (82600)
R
North American B-25

Type A-10 Lower (Belly) (Navy 250CE-2)
Bendix Corp. of South Bend, Indiana (79800)
K
North American B-25

Type A-10A Lower (Belly)
Bendix Corp. of South Bend, Indiana (81400)
B

Type A-11 Upper
Glenn L. Martin Co. of Baltimore, Maryland
250CE-8
Martin A-30
250CE-8A
Martin A-30
250CE-10
Douglas A-20G through A-20H

Type A-13 Lower (Ball) (Navy 250SH-1)
Briggs Manufacturing Co. of Detroit, Michigan (30000)
Consolidated B-24D-140-CO through B-24J-185-CO

*Listing apparently contains A-13A, A-13B, A-13C, and A-13D

Type A-13A Lower (Ball) (Navy 250SH-1A)
Briggs Manufacturing Co. of Detroit, Michigan
Consolidated B-24J-185-CO though B-24M-45-CO
Consolidated B-32

Type A-14 Upper
Glenn L. Martin Co. of Baltimore, Maryland (250CE-1)
Martin B-26

Type A-15 Nose (Navy 250CE-1)
Emerson Electric of St. Louis, Missouri (30500)
Consolidated B-24H-1-CF through B-24H-20-CF
Consolidated B-24J-45-CF through B-24J-105-CF
Consolidated B-24J-185-CO through B-24M-30-CO
Consolidated B-24H-1-DT through B-24J-10-DT
Consolidated B-24H-1-FO through B-24M-30-FO
Consolidated B-24G-1-NT through B-24J-5-NT

Type A-16 Chin
Bendix Aviation Corp. of South Bend, Indiana (82500)
D
Boeing B-17G-1-BO through B-17G-110-BO

Type A-16A Chin
Bendix Aviation Corp. of South Bend, Indiana (83400)
Boeing B-17G-110-BO

Type A-16B Chin
Boeing B-17G
Bendix Aviation Corp. of South Bend, Indiana (83500)
Boeing B-17G-95-DL

Type A-17/A-17A/A-17A1 Nose/Tail
Sperry Gyroscope of Brooklyn, New York (Designer)
Consolidated B-32

Type A-20 Upper
Glenn L. Martin Co. of Baltimore, Maryland
Consolidated B-32

Type A-31 Nose (Navy 250SE-10)
Emerson Electric of St. Louis, Missouri (128)
Consolidated B-24N

US Army Fire Control Systems

Central Fire Control System
General Electric of Schenectady, New York (2CFR12A3)
2CGQ50URA4 Upper (Quad)

Central Fire Control
General Electric of Schenectady, New York (2CFR12A5)
2CGQ50RUA7 Upper (Quad)
Northrop P-61

Central Fire Control
General Electric of Schenectady, New York (2CFR12C2)
Northrop P-61

Central Fire Control
General Electric of Schenectady, New York (2CFR12C3)
Northrop P-61

Central Fire Control System
General Electric of Schenectady, New York (2CFR21B3)
2CGDSOURC1, 2CGD50URD1, or 2CGD50URD1A Upper
2CGD50LRC1 or 2CGD50LRD1A Lower
Douglas A-26

Central Fire Control System
General Electric of Schenectady, New York (2CFR21B4)
2CGD50URE1 Upper
2CGD50LRD1A, or 2CGD50LRD1B Lower
Douglas A-26

Central Fire Control System
General Electric of Schenectady, New York (2CFR55A1)
2CGD50URC3 Upper Forward (Twin)
2CGD50URC4 Upper Aft
2CGD50LRC4 Lower Forward
2CGD50LRC5 Lower Aft
Boeing B-29

Central Fire Control System
General Electric of Schenectady, New York (2CFR55B1 (Early))
2CGD50URC3A Upper Forward (Twin)
2CGD50URC4 Upper Aft
2CGD50LRC4A Lower Forward
2CGD50LRC5 Lower Aft
General Railway Signal of Rochester, New York (2CFR55Z1)
2CGD50URZ1 Upper Forward (Twin)
2CGD50URZ2 Upper Aft
2CGD50LRZ1 Lower Forward
2CGD50LRZ2 Lower Aft
Boeing B-29

Central Fire Control System
General Electric of Schenectady, New York (2CFR55B1 (Late))
2CGD50URD3 Upper Forward (Twin)
2CGD50URD4 Upper Aft
2CGD50LRD4 Lower Forward
2CGD50LRD5 Lower Aft
General Railway Signal of Rochester, New York (2CFR55Y1)
2CGD50URY1 Upper Forward (Twin)
2CGD50URY2 Upper Aft
2CGD50LRY1 Lower Forward
2CGD50LRY2 Lower Aft
Boeing B-29

Central Fire Control System
General Electric of Schenectady, New York (2CFR55B2)
2CGD50URE1 (or 2CGQ50URA4 Mod.) Upper Forward (Quad)
2CGD50URD4 Upper Aft
2CGD50LRD4 Lower Forward
2CGD50LRD5 Lower Aft
Boeing B-29

Central Fire Control System
General Electric of Schenectady, New York (2CFR55B3 and 2CFR55B4)
2CGD50URE1 (or 2CGQ50URA4 Mod.) Upper Forward (Quad)
2CGD50URG4 Upper Aft
2CGD50LRG4 Lower Forward
2CGD50LRG5 Lower Aft
General Railway Signal of Rochester, New York (2CFR55Y3 and 2CFR55Y4)
2CGD50URE1 (or 2CGQ50URA4 Mod.) Upper Forward (Quad)
2CGD50URX2 Upper Aft
2CGD50LRX1 Lower Forward
2CGD50LRX2 Lower Aft
Boeing B-29

Central Fire Control System
General Electric of Schenectady, New York (2CFR55C1 and 2CFR55C2)
2CGQ50URE2 Upper Forward (Quad)
2CGD50URG4A Upper Aft
2CGD50LRG4A, 2CGD50LRG4B, or 2CGD50LRG4C Lower Forward
2CGD50LRG5A or 2CGD50LRG5B Lower Aft
General Railway Signal of Rochester, New York (2CFR55X1 and 2CFR55X2)
2CGQ50URE2 Upper Forward (Quad)
2CGD50URX2A Upper Aft
2CGD50LRX1A Lower Forward
2CGD50LRX2A Lower Aft
Boeing B-29

Central Fire Control System
General Electric of Schenectady, New York (2CFR55D1)
2CGQ50URD1 or 2CGQ50URD1A Upper Forward (Quad)
2CGD50URG4A Upper Aft
2CGD50LRG4C Lower Forward
2CGD50LRG5B Lower Aft
General Railway Signal of Rochester, New York (2CFR55W1)
2CGQ50URD1 or 2CGQ50URD1A Upper Forward (Quad)
2CGD50URX2A Upper Aft
2CGD50LRX1A Lower Forward
2CGD50LRX2A Lower Aft
Boeing B-29

Central Fire Control System
General Electric of Schenectady, New York (2CFR55D2)
2CGQ50URD1A Upper Forward (Quad)
2CGD50URG4B Upper Aft
2CGD50LRG4DLower Forward
2CGD50LRG5C Lower Aft
General Railway Signal of Rochester, New York (2CFR55W2)
2CGQ50URD1A Upper Forward (Quad)
2CGD50URX2B Upper Aft
2CGD50LRX1B Lower Forward
2CGD50LRX2B Lower Aft
Boeing B-29

Central Fire Control System
General Electric of Schenectady, New York (2CFR55G1)
2CGQ50URD3 (Elongated Dome) or 2CGQ50URD4 (Round Dome) Upper Forward (Quad)
2CGQ50URG5 or 2CGQ50URJ1 Upper Aft
2CGD50LRG6 or 2CGD50LRJ1 Lower Forward
2CGD50LRG7 or 2CGD50LRJ2 Lower Aft
Boeing B-50

US Navy Turrets

150SE-1 Upper
Grumman Aircraft of Bethpage, New York (Designer)
Emerson Electric of St. Louis, Missouri
Sampson United of Rochester, New York
21756
TBF-1, TBM-1, TBM-1C

150SE-2 Upper
Grumman Aircraft of Bethpage, New York (Designer)
Emerson Electric of St. Louis, Missouri
Sampson United of Rochester, New York
21756
TBF-1C, TBM-1, TBM-1C

250CE-4 Upper Forward/250CE-5 Upper Aft
Firestone Tire & Rubber of Akron, Ohio (Designer)
Emerson Electric of St. Louis, Missouri (332053)
PB4Y-2

250CH Upper
Glenn L. Martin Co. of Baltimore, Maryland
PB2Y-3

250CH-1 Upper
Glenn L. Martin Co. of Baltimore, Maryland (162C861)
PBM-3C, PBM-3D, PBM-5

250CH-1B Upper
Glenn L. Martin Co. of Baltimore, Maryland
PBM-5

250CH-1C Upper
Glenn L. Martin Co. of Baltimore, Maryland
PBM-5

250CH-2 Tail
Glenn L. Martin Co. of Baltimore, Maryland (162C865)
PBM-3C, PBM-3D, PBM-5

250CH-2B Tail
Glenn L. Martin Co. of Baltimore, Maryland
PBM-5

250CH-2C Tail
Glenn L. Martin Co. of Baltimore, Maryland
PBM-5

250CH-4 Upper Forward
Firestone Tire & Rubber of Akron, Ohio (Designer)
Emerson Electric of St. Louis, Missouri (332053)
PB4Y-2

250CH-5 Upper Aft
Firestone Tire & Rubber of Akron, Ohio (Designer)
Emerson Electric of St. Louis, Missouri (332053)
PB4Y-2

250SH-1 Nose
Glenn L. Martin Co. of Baltimore, Maryland (162C860)
PB2Y-3, PBM-3C

250SH-1A Nose
Glenn L. Martin Co. of Baltimore, Maryland (162C860 Revised)
PBM-3D, PBM-5

250SH-2 Nose
Engineering & Research Corp. (ERCO) of Riverdale, Maryland (6001-47)
PB4Y-1

250SH-2A Nose
Engineering & Research Corp. (ERCO) of Riverdale, Maryland
PB4Y-1

250SH-2B Nose
Engineering & Research Corp. (ERCO) of Riverdale, Maryland
PB4Y-1

250SH-2C Nose
Engineering & Research Corp. (ERCO) of Riverdale, Maryland
PB4Y-1

250SH-3 Nose
Engineering & Research Corp. (ERCO) of Riverdale, Maryland (162DK-86534)
PB4Y-2, PBM-5

250SH-3A Nose
Engineering & Research Corp. (ERCO) of Riverdale, Maryland
PB4Y-2, PBM-5

250SH-3B Nose
Engineering & Research Corp. (ERCO) of Riverdale, Maryland
PB4Y-2

250TH-1/20TH-1A/250TH-2/250TH-2A Waist
Engineering & Research Corp. (ERCO) of Riverdale, Maryland (6026-108)
PB4Y-2