The boeing b 29 superfortress was a heavy bomber aircraft with four engines used by the united states army air forces in world war ii, and by other countries military after that. One of the most technologically advanced airplanes of world war ii, the b 29 had many new features, including guns that could be fired by remote control. Designed as a highaltitude daytime bomber, the b 29 flew more lowaltitude nighttime incendiary bombing missions. Let us go back to world war ii and the b29 bombers that operated out of the marianas and attacked japan. B29 superfortress nose art from world war ii and currentday. In december 1943 it was decided not to use the b 29 in the european theater, thereby permitting the airplane to be sent to the pacific.
Download premium images you cant get anywhere else. Peering out the panoramic glass from the nose of a flying b29 superfortress is a rare sight to behold these days, considering that only one of the 3,970 aircraft built remains airworthy. A 307th bomb group b29 bombing a target in korea, c. The boeing b 29 superfortress was a fourengine propellerdriven heavy bomber that was flown by the united states military in world war ii and the korean war, and by other nations afterwards. The b 2 spirit is a multirole bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. Army air force boeing b17g50ve flying fortress dropping its payload during wwii. The boeing b29 superfortress was a longrange four engine heavy bomber introduced into service in 1944 with sophisticated features including a pressurized cabin and remotecontrolled gun turrets.
Army air forces during world war 2, and was stationed in the pacific at the end of the war. The b29 superfortress, the largest conventional bomber of world war ii, was powered by four 2,200horsepower wright double cyclone supercharged radial engines. It rested for 15 years on the target range at the us army proving grounds at aberdeen, maryland, then was hit by a tornado on october 3, 1979, then set another 20 years in the museum boneyard before the museum was able to restore the aircraft. A 307th bomb group b 29 bombing a target in korea, c. Name on a famous b29 crossword clue answer crossword. A very factual account of the history of the b29 and its variants. The b 2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses. Boeing submitted the proposal for the b29 longrange heavy bomber to the army in 1940, before the united states entered world war ii. It was developed in the 1970s as the aircraft that would replace the b52 bomber. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the u. Boeing b29 superfortress specifications howstuffworks. The name superfortress came from its famous previous model, the b17 flying fortress the b29 boeing model 345 was one of the biggest aircraft to serve during world war ii.
Jul 20, 2016 peering out the panoramic glass from the nose of a flying b 29 superfortress is a rare sight to behold these days, considering that only one of the 3,970 aircraft built remains airworthy. The name superfortress was derived from that of its wellknown predecessor, the b17 flying fortress, and carried on a series of names for boeingbuilt. The b2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses. The development of fighter jets made b 29 obsolete, and it was replaced by the much larger convair b 36. The reengined b50 superfortress became the first aircraft to fly around the world nonstop, during a 94hour flight in 1949. Nearly 4,000 b29s were built for combat in the pacific theater, including the enola gay, the plane that dropped the first atomic bomb over hiroshima. The b 29 superfortress was for many years a cornerstone of american military aviation. Facing death in a b29 while bombing japan in wwii war tales. The b29 was used with devastating effect by the united states army air force against the japanese in the pacific theatre of world war two this was the aircraft that basically ended the war in. The bomb bay doors were open as we approached the drop zone.
Boeing b29 superfortress strategic longrange, high. This page has as many world war ii, b29 bomber movies that i can find. Two crew areas, fore and aft, were pressurized and. In august 1945, the b 29 flew its two most famous missions. But the turbojet had been developed during world war ii for fastclimbing, highflying interceptors, and they gulped fuel at a. Tibbets commanding, dropped the first atomic bomb on hiroshima. The x1 rocket and the fat man atom bomb models carried by the b 29 are included with the b 29 download. Departing tinian on august 6, the b 29 enola gay, colonel paul w. The boomers b29 bombing run at the second battle of hoover dam.
Guy longshore of lagrange, georgia, was a b 29 command gunner with the u. Boeing b29 superfortress strategic longrange, highaltitude heavy bomber aircraft the boeing b29 superfortress marked the pinnacle of american bomber design by the end of world war 2 it proved critical in ending the war with japan. B29 enola gay superfortress bomber aircraft history. It began with a march 1938 study for a new bomber with pressurized cabin and tricycle landing gear. Learn all about b29 superfortressphoto gallery 33 photo and info. But the turbojet had been developed during world war ii for fastclimbing, highflying interceptors, and they gulped fuel at a prodigious rate. The b 29 featured the first ever fully pressurized nose and cockpit in a bomber. Named in allusion to its predecessor, the b 17 flying fortress, the superfortress was designed for highaltitude strategic bombing but also excelled in lowaltitude. The b36b was the last true reciprocatingengine bomber in the u. The b29 was now under the control of the bombardier and his norden bombsight.
The cannons on the b29 bomber were a midcentury engineering. Item showing b29 super fortress bombers being built and taking off for japan. The b2 spirit is a multirole bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. It began with a march 1938 study for a new bomber with pressurized cabin and tricycle. The national museum of the united states air force, dayton, ohio bockscar, sometimes called bocks car, is the name of the united states army air forces b29 bomber that dropped a fat man nuclear weapon over the japanese city of nagasaki during world war ii in the second and last nuclear attack in history. May 29, 2019 as for more facts about the b 1 bomber, lets start with the b 1a. The enola gay, a four engined b 29 superfortress bomber, was used to drop the atomic bomb over hiroshima which marked the ending of the war against japan. The development of fighter jets made b29 obsolete, and it was replaced by the much larger convair b36. Authorities were testing four prototypes but the program was canceled in 1977 before anything could go. Jun 09, 20 the boeing b 29 superfortress was a longrange four engine heavy bomber introduced into service in 1944 with sophisticated features including a pressurized cabin and remotecontrolled gun turrets. The most widely produced superfortress model was the b29, of which 2,537 aircraft were built. As part of the world war ii military buildup, 3,970 b 29s were built during production at four assembly plants across the united states. The b17 has turned 80, here are 20 facts about the flying.
One of the most technologically advanced airplanes of world war ii, the b29 had many new features, including guns that could be fired by remote control. In wartime, the b29 was capable of flight up to 31,850 feet at speeds of 350 mph. Boeing b29 superfortresses of the 20th bomber command fly over the himalayan mountain range in an area now commonly referred to as the hump boeing b29 superfortresses of the 21st bomber command, parked on the line at an airfield on iwo jima, bonin islands boeing b29 with one engine on fire continues on bombing run over japan. The cannons on the b29 bomber were a midcentury engineering masterpiece. The b29 bomber, produced by the boeing aircraft company during world war ii, was the first longrange heavy bomber employed by the united states. History restored wichita is home to one of only two airworthy boeing b29 superfortress aircraft left in the world. The prototype b17 bomber was built at the companys own expense and was a fusion of the features of boeing xb15 and boeing 247 transport aircraft. Restoring this wwii b29 bomber has taken 300k hours. It was developed in the 1970s as the aircraft that would replace the b 52 bomber.
Boeing b29 superfortress, silverplate enola gay, nasm. At the same moment, another b29 thundered over head. This is a list of b29 superfortress units consisting of nations, their air forces, and the unit assignments that used the b29 during world war ii, korean war, and post war periods, including variants and other historical information. B29 jacks hack on display at the new england air museum in windsor locks, connecticut. The boeing b29 superfortress was a fourengine propellerdriven heavy bomber that was flown by the united states military in world war ii and the korean war. Best known as a bomber, it also served in reconnaissance, as a tanker, and as a rescue plane. The b29 featured the first ever fully pressurized nose and cockpit in a bomber. Authorities were testing four prototypes but the program was canceled in 1977 before anything could go into production. The boeing b 29 was designed in 1940 as an eventual replacement for the b 17 and b 24. The b29 superfortress bomber was the single most complicated and expensive weapon produced by the united states during world war ii. The b 29 bomber, produced by the boeing aircraft company during world war ii, was the first longrange heavy bomber employed by the united states. Nov 30, 2015 the cannons on the b 29 bomber were a midcentury engineering masterpiece.
July 21, 1948, a b29 superfortress bomber crashed into lake mead while engaged in highaltitude atmospheric research. Learn all about b 29 superfortressphoto gallery 33 photo and info. The other b29 missions the big bombers littleknown errands of mercy. If you know of any other b29 bomber, videos or dvd movies please let me know. Named in allusion to its predecessor, the b17 flying fortress, the superfortress was designed for highaltitude strategic bombing but also excelled in lowaltitude night incendiary bombing, and in dropping naval mines.
And, there was the b29, b29a and b29b, all of which appeared identical, though their innards were sometimes very different. The most widely produced superfortress model was the b 29, of which 2,537 aircraft were built. Boeing b 29 superfortress strategic longrange, highaltitude heavy bomber aircraft the boeing b 29 superfortress marked the pinnacle of american bomber design by the end of world war 2 it proved critical in ending the war with japan. Its missions included firebombing tokyo and other japanese cities and dropping atomic bombs on hiroshima and nagasaki, japan, on august 6 and 9, 1945, respectively. Facts of the groundbreaking b29 war history online. The boeing b 29 superfortress had its official beginning on february 5, 1940, when the air corps called for a hemisphere defense weapon, a super bomber with a speed of 400 miles per hour, the ability to carry a ton of bombs for 5,333 miles, and a maximum bomb capacity of 16,000 pounds. Building the b29 smithsonian history of aviation and. Wikipedia 2 the b2 is the only acknowledged aircraft to carry airtosurface standoff weapons in a stealth platform. In hindsight, it seems obvious that the megabomber should have been jetpowered from the start. B 29 very heavy bomber units were redesignated medium with the introduction of the b 36 peacemaker into the inventory in 1948, with some units transitioning to the b 36rb36 beginning in 1949. The b29 bombers were made by boeing aircraft company and has launched boeing into being the largest aircraft company in the world. Development and mass production of the b29, the boeing model 345 which was named superfortress, was one of the biggest tasks in the history of aviation. The dramatic story of the b29 and the twentieth air force by steve birdsall, boeing b17.
B29 enola gay superfortress bomber aircraft history, facts. The boeing b29 superfortress was a heavy bomber aircraft with four engines used by the united states army air forces in world war ii, and by other countries military after that. On the night of august 6, 1945, unable to sleep, he walked to the edge of the island of saipan and watched a b 29 bomber take off from the neighboring island of tinian. American bomber plane b 29 flying fortress adapted as robot plane for atomic bomb tests. Five remotecontrolled cannons with computeraided aiming made the superfortress way, way ahead of. The aircraft was named after the mother of pilot paul warfield tibbets, jr. Fourengine heavy bomber with semimonoqoque fuselage and highaspect ratio wings.
Nearly 4,000 b 29s were built for combat in the pacific theater, including the enola gay, the plane that dropped the first atomic bomb over hiroshima. The north american b25 mitchell remained an understated airplane, even though it fought throughout world war ii and delivered many of the most important blows of the war. A us air force boeing b 29 superfortress bomber flying above the clouds and mountains, mid 1940s. The boeing b29 superfortress is a fourengine propellerdriven heavy bomber designed by boeing and flown primarily by the united states during world war ii and the korean war. Boeing submitted the proposal for the b 29 longrange heavy bomber to the army in 1940, before the united states entered world war ii. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. The first one built made its maiden flight on september 21, 1942. It was a crucial tool for american and allied forces during world war ii, korea and beyond. Facts of the groundbreaking b29 the american b29 superfortress heavy bomber entered service in 1944 and spearheaded the mass bombing campaign of mainland japan. Development and mass production of the b 29, the boeing model 345 which was named superfortress, was one of the biggest tasks in the history of aviation.
The enola gay is the b29 superfortress bomber that dropped the first atomic bomb, codenamed little boy, to be used in war, by the united states army air forces usaaf in the attack on hiroshima, japan on 6 august 1945, just before the end of world war ii. Jet plane attached to b 29 bomber parasite jet plane. Together, the double cyclone engines produced a net power of 8,600 shp incredibly powerful for the time. Over the course of the war, the 6th bomb group received almost 120 aircraft. Five remotecontrolled cannons with computeraided aiming made the superfortress way, way ahead of its time. Previous story next story list follow us on facebook follow us on twitter follow. Boeing b29 superfortress strategic longrange, highaltitude. The name superfortress was derived from that of its wellknown predecessor, the b 17 flying fortress, and carried on a series of names for boeingbuilt. The b 29 boeing model 345 was one of the biggest aircraft to serve during. As each superfortress rolled down the assembly line, it was given the latest usaaf modifications which resulted in 3,974 b29s each of which was just a bit different from the next. Underwood archivesgetty images most of docs parts are exact copies of the original parts, says. Boeing b 29 superfortress the development of the b 29 can be traced back to the xb15 through the b 17 to meeet the usaac requirement to carry 2,000 lbs of bombs more than 5,300 miles at 400 mph. Army air corps issued a specification for a superbomber capable of carrying a payload of 20,000 pounds with a range of 2,667 miles and a top speed of 400 mph. One of the most advanced bombers of world war ii, the design of the boeing b29 began in the late 1930s as boeing began exploring the development of a pressurized longrange bomber.
See more ideas about fighter jets, military aircraft, aircraft. The dramatic story of the b 29 and the twentieth air force by steve birdsall, boeing b 17. Find highquality b 29 superfortress stock photos and editorial news pictures from getty images. Delivery of the first yb29 test aircraft yb29bw 46954 to the usaaf was made in june 1943, being delivered to the 58th bombardment wing, 40th. The b29 superfortress was a longrange heavy bomber with innovative technology and a historic role in the pacific theater in world war ii, including the. B 29 superfortress stock pictures, royaltyfree photos. Though meant to be a daytime, highaltitude precision bomber, the b 29 frequently flew at night on carpetbombing incendiary raids. It then saw limited use in korea before being phased out of service in 1960. The b 29 was used with devastating effect by the united states army air force against the japanese in the pacific theatre of world war two this was. The name superfortress came from its famous previous model, the b 17 flying fortress. As for more facts about the b1 bomber, lets start with the b1a. In hindsight, it seems obvious that the mega bomber should have been jetpowered from the start. The boeing b29 superfortress was a fourengine propellerdriven heavy bomber that was flown by the united states military in world war ii and the korean war, and by other nations afterwards.
The enola gay is the b 29 superfortress bomber that dropped the first atomic bomb, codenamed little boy, to be used in war, by the united states army air forces usaaf in the attack on hiroshima, japan on 6 august 1945, just before the end of world war ii. B29 superfortress nose art from world war ii and current. In wartime, the b 29 was capable of flight up to 31,850 feet at speeds of 350 mph. I am one for seeking out the cold, hard facts of the matter and when it comes to the facts about the b29 superfortress, this is the book for me. Boeing would eventually hit its stride with their b17 flying fortress bomber model which led to the atomic bombdropping, technologyladen b29 super fortress still to come. Enola gay enola gay, the b29 bomber that was used by the united states on august 6, 1945, to drop an atomic bomb on hiroshima, japan, the first time the explosive device had been used on an enemy target. Usaf northrop b2 b2 spirit stealth bomber jet information. Handsome rather than beautiful, the twinengine b25 was clean, but lacked the flashy, sinuous lines of the martin b26 or the purposeful leanavenger looks of the douglas a26. The b 29 superfortress bomber was the single most complicated and expensive weapon produced by the united states during world war ii. Designed as a highaltitude daytime bomber, the b29 flew more lowaltitude nighttime incendiary bombing missions.
The b 50 superfortress, an advanced version of the b 29 was also introduced in 1949. Guy longshore of lagrange, georgia, was a b29 command gunner with the u. The crew of five survived the crash, but the plane was lost in the depths of the lake. Here are some amazing things you probably wont know about this mighty bomber. The b29 superfortress was for many years a cornerstone of american military aviation. The name superfortress came from its famous previous model, the b17 flying fortress. Sep 10, 2019 boeing model 345 b 29 superfortress type. The line culminated with boeings last big bomber in the b52 stratofortress of vietnam war fame.
The boeing b 29 superfortress was the most advanced world war ii bomber as you will see in this series of videos and dvd movies including atomic bomb pictures of hiroshima and nagasaki. The boeing b29 superfortress had its official beginning on february 5, 1940, when the air corps called for a hemisphere defense weapon, a superbomber with a speed of 400 miles per hour, the ability to carry a ton of bombs for 5,333 miles, and a maximum bomb capacity of 16,000 pounds. The b 36b was the last true reciprocatingengine bomber in the u. Since the bomb bays were not pressurized, a pressurized tunnel was devised to connect the fore and aft crew areas. The boeing b29 superfortress is a fourengine propellerdriven heavy bomber designed by. Its missions included firebombing tokyo and other japanese cities and dropping. Restoring this wwii b29 bomber has taken 300k hours so far doc sat in a california desert holding area for 42 years before it was rescued in 1987 by dreamers who hoped to see it fly again.
The boeing b 29 superfortress is a fourengine propellerdriven heavy bomber designed by boeing and flown primarily by the united states during world war ii and the korean war. The b29 was the progenitor of a series of boeingbuilt bombers, transports, tankers, reconnaissance aircraft and trainers. By the 1960s, almost all of the b29s were phased out entirely, and the b52 remains the premier heavy bomber in the united states strategic arsenal. This book covers its inception, development and all the later modifications with a section on its.
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