B-29 Superfortress Central Fire Control Technical Manual TO 11-70AA-9

The Central Station Fire Control System Handbook of Operation and Service Instructions, TO 11-70AA-9, dated Oct 1943 revised July 1948, describes the installation, operation, servicing, and maintenance of the remote-controlled gunnery system made by General Electric which was used solely on the WWII-era and post war era US Army Air Force Boeing B-29 Superfortress Bomber.   The B-29 bomber was the first production bomber aircraft to use a central fire control system. According to the manual, it's advantages were: It permits the most effective location of guns and gunners Loss of a sighting station does not mean loss of a turret's fire power The turrets impose less drag on the airplane Sighting accuracy is increased A gunner's personal comfort is increased Protection for the airplane against damage from its guns Remove location of important electric equipment means better protection for it and less maintenance Facilitates proper weight distribution Simplifies pressurization of the airpl