Originally Posted by
Blacksheep
I think you'll find that the feet of the gunner were on the end of the Bomb-Aimer's legs.
Lancaster crew - Pilot, Navigator, Engineer, Bomb Aimer, Wireless Operator (generally dual trade WOP/AG just in case), Mid-upper Gunner, Rear Gunner. Seven men altogether and no Front Gunner.
Even a cursory look at the nose of Lancaster fitted with a forward turret will confirm that the feet of the person manning the turret would at least, be in pole position to interfere with the upper torso of the bomb aimer.
The feet of the person manning the gun would not be anywhere near the lower legs of the bomb aimer unless the bomb aimer was a dwarf!
It was precisely for that reason that the "Chastise"aircraft had stirrups installed as the forward turret would be required to be manned on the bomb run.
Perhaps I did not make myself clear, however I did not imply that a dedicated crew member was carried to man the forward turret.