rear gunner
Tail turret operator
A rear gunner is a crew member stationed at the back of a military aircraft, operating defensive guns to protect against attacks from behind.
The position was especially prominent in World War II bombers: The rear gunner spotted enemy fighters approaching from six o'clock.
The role was notoriously dangerous, with high casualty rates.
In British slang, rear gunner is also a crude term for a gay man, playing on the position's location.
Protruding fortified structure
- bomberExplosive-delivery aircraft or saboteur
- fuselageAircraft's central structure
- tailplaneRear aircraft pitch surface
- B-17Heavy American bomber
Lancaster · Wellington · Halifax · aircrew · crewman · navigator · pilot · co-pilot
Protruding fortified structure
- flakIntense hostile reaction
- tracerPath-marking projectile
- ammunitionWeapon projectiles and charges
- BrowningNoted poet's surname
dogfight · Messerschmitt · bandit · six o'clock · interception · strafing · firepower · burst
Carefully attentive, observant
- alertWarning or watchfulness
- scanningSystematic visual examination
- observantNoticing things readily
- attentivePaying close notice
hawk-eyed · keen-eyed · sharp-eyed · situational awareness · on the lookout · ready · defensive · protective
Rear animal appendage
- aftVessel's rear area
- rearwardToward the back
- blind spotArea of blocked perception
- field of fireArea a weapon covers
traverse · elevation · rotation · visibility · canopy · glazing · Perspex · prone
turret
Protruding fortified structure
- bomberExplosive-delivery aircraft or saboteur
- fuselageAircraft's central structure
- tailplaneRear aircraft pitch surface
B-17 · Lancaster · Wellington · Halifax · aircrew · crewman · navigator · pilot · co-pilot · bombardier
turret
Protruding fortified structure
- flakIntense hostile reaction
- tracerPath-marking projectile
- ammunitionWeapon projectiles and charges
Browning · dogfight · Messerschmitt · bandit · six o'clock · interception · strafing · firepower · burst · rounds
watchful
Carefully attentive, observant
attentive · hawk-eyed · keen-eyed · sharp-eyed · situational awareness · on the lookout · ready · defensive · protective · guardian
tail
Rear animal appendage
- aftVessel's rear area
- rearwardToward the back
- blind spotArea of blocked perception
field of fire · traverse · elevation · rotation · visibility · canopy · glazing · Perspex · prone · cramped
- Gunnersartilleryman, cannoneer