B-29 Superfortress part 1
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21st BC crew working on engine of B-29. 1945
42-24589 "Calamity Jane" converted to F-13 from 25th BS, 40th Bomb Group after emergency landing at Chengkung Fighter Base
42-65227 468th Bombardment Group, 792nd Bomb Squadron 1944
468th bomb group 792nd BS Superfortress 42-6279 "Postville Express" in CBI 1944-45
468th bomb group Superfortress Formation over Rangoon Burma November 1944
5400 kg (12,000 lb) Blockbuster bomb falling from B-29, 1945
6th bomb group Superfortress "Dearly Beloved" on Okinawa August 1945
Ancient methods build B-29 bases china 1944
B 24 LIBERATOR + B 29 bombers
B-29 13 44-69929 "Misti Christi" of the 497th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), 869th Bomb Squadron - Saipan
B-29 42-63495 "Fast Company" of the 877th Bomb Squadron, 499th Bomb Group
B-29 A square 15 bombing a target
B-29 base Northfield Airfield Tinian
B-29 base Northfield Airfield Tinian 2
B-29 Bomber "HEAVENLY BODY" nose art
B-29 bomber O 13 of 29th Bomb Group landing on Guam
B-29 bomber of 29th Bomb Group landing on Guam 2
B-29 bomber of 500th bomb group, #11 on SAIPAIN PTO
B-29 bombers base Isley airfield SAIPAN
B-29 bombers base Northfield Airfield Tinian 3
B-29 bombers of 468th preparing to launch for Rangoon Burma from India 17 March 1945
B-29 burning at Isley Field. Japanese Strike Back On Saipan 27 November 1944
B-29 Crew Chats with Navy Seabees at Marianas Base
B-29 drop their bombs on Tachiarai, Japan
B-29 Enola Gay Col Tibbets
B-29 from 21st BC falls to sea after hit over Japan 1945
B-29 goes down over Kyushu
B-29 of 29th Bomb Group landing on Guam 3
B-29 of the 16th Group in flight
B-29 of the 462nd Bomb Group en route home after hitting the Rangoon Burma docks on November 3 1944
B-29 on assembly line at Wichita Plant 1944
B-29 Superfortress "Shrewd Maneuvers" nose art Guam
B-29 Superfortress "Undecided" nose art
B-29 Superfortress 314th Bomb Wing at Guam
B-29 Superfortress 42-24513 from of 40th Bomb Group, 25 BS - SWEAT'ER OUT nose art, Tinian 1945
B-29 Superfortress 42-24788, Nose Art "Kro's Kids" of the 504th Bomb Group, January 1945
B-29 Superfortress after crash landing
B-29 Superfortress Bomber "HELL'S BELLE" K-350R
B-29 Superfortress bomber "HONEY" of the 499th bomb group Saipan
B-29 Superfortress bomber CREW on TINIAN airfield Pacific
B-29 Superfortress bomber Enola Gay 82
B-29 Superfortress Bomber LUCKY LEVEN of the 873rd Bomb Squadron, 498th Bomb Group
B-29 Superfortress bomber TINIAN airfield PTO
B-29 Superfortress bombers base Isley airfield on SAIPAN
B-29 Superfortress bombers from 29th Bomb Group in flight during World War II
B-29 Superfortress bombers of 499th bomb group on SAIPAN
B-29 Superfortress bombers of the 9 Bomb Group on Iwo Jima 1945. 42-93915 X triangle 40
B-29 Superfortress bombers on SAIPAN airfield
B-29 Superfortress Bombers On Tinian
B-29 Superfortress bombers on TINIAN airfield Pacific
B-29 Superfortress crash Iwo Jima
B-29 Superfortress Easy's Aces and crew
B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay 82
B-29 Superfortress Formation of the 29th Bomb Group 314th Bomb Wing
B-29 Superfortress in Flight Photograph 314 Bomb Wing
B-29 Superfortress Nose Art "Aviation Engineer"
B-29 Superfortress Nose Art 110th NCB
B-29 Superfortress Nose Art 121 Sea Bees 505th bomb group 42-24815
B-29 Superfortress Nose Art 17th Aaa Bn. Bull Dog
B-29 Superfortress Nose Art Ncb 27th Spec
B-29 Superfortress Nose Art Nip Clipper
B-29 Superfortress Nose Art Photo
B-29 Superfortress nose art photo
B-29 Superfortress of 314th Bomb Wing at Guam 1945
B-29 Superfortress of 42-94063 from 6th BG, 24th Bomb Squadron - Nose Art "The Wolfpack"
B-29 Superfortress of 499th Bomb Group flies over Mount Fuji during World War II
B-29 Superfortress of the 19th Bomb Group on Bomb Run
B-29 Superfortress of the 314 Bomb Wing 29 Bomb Group in Flight
B-29 Superfortress of the 314 Bomb Wing formation
B-29 Superfortress of the 314th Bomb Wing 29th Bomb Group in flight
B-29 Superfortress of the 314th Bomb Wing at Guam
B-29 Superfortress of the 39th Bomb group - mission to Hiratsuka Japan on July 16th 1945
B-29 Superfortress of the 497th Bomb Group 869th BS - "OUR BABY" nose art, Tinian 1945
B-29 Superfortress of the 497th Bomb Group, READY FOR TAKE OFF MARIANAS December 1944
B-29 Superfortress of the 498th Bomb Group, Formation and Smoke Over Tokyo From Bombs
B-29 Superfortress of the 501st Bomb Group crashed on beach
B-29 Superfortress of the 504th Bomb Group 24th BS, number 4, Tinian 1945
B-29 Superfortress of the 504th Bomb Group 398th BS, Nose Art "Coral Queen", 1945 s/n 42-63499
B-29 Superfortress of the 505th BG, 482nd BS, Nose Art "Country Gentleman", 42-24793
B-29 Superfortress of the 505th Bomb Group, number 74 and 69
B-29 Superfortress Radio Operator station
B-29 Superfortress RUFF'N READY nose art K-300
B-29 Superfortress WHEEL N' DEAL nose art 497th Bomb Group, 870th Bomb Squadron s/n 42-24604. Pratt, Kansas 1944. Thanks for the information to Mr. Carl F. Breth II.
B-29 Superfortress X 15 of the 9th Bomb Group,
B-29-1-BA Superfortress of the 468th bomb group 793rd BS, "Lassie" nose art, CBI 1944-1945, s/n 42-63356
B-29-1-MO Superfortress s/n 42-6229 of the 468th Bomb Group, 793rd Bomb Squadron, air base in India june 1944
B-29-10-BA Superfortress of the 462nd BG, 768th BS, Nose Art "Rush Order", s/n 42-63393
B-29-15-BA Superfortress "PACIFIC QUEEN" nose art, Tinian 1945, 42-63429
B-29-15-BA Superfortress "SNAFU PERFORT" nose art, Tinian 1945, 42-63435
B-29-15-BA Superfortress of the 499th BG, 877th BS, nose art "Inspiration" 42-63440
B-29-20-BA Superfortress of the 468th BG, 793rd BS, "Lassie Too!" nose art, s/n 42-63460
B-29-20-MO Superfortress nose art "20th Century Sweetheart" 42-65251
B-29-25-BA Superfortress of the 499th Bomb Group, nose art "Ramp Queen", 42-63513
B-29-25-MO Superfortress bomber "DESTINY'S TOTS" nose art Tinian 1945, 42-65293
B-29s of the 498th Bomb Group Bombers Flying Over Mount Fuji Japan
B-29s Superfortress bombers of the 468th Bomb Group
Boeing B-29 "Bockscar" nose art, s/n 44-27297 #77
Boeing B-29 during ground maintenance - 29th Bomb Group
Boeing B-29 engine
Boeing B-29 from 498th Bomb Group fly into Japan
Boeing B-29 from the 497th BG: A square 15 and A square 6
Boeing B-29 of the 29th Bomb Group, Guam
Boeing B-29 of the 444th Bomb Group 676 BS, "Shanghai Lil Rides Again" nose art, s/n 42-24723
Boeing B-29 of the 462nd Bomb Group raid on Rangoon on November 3 1944
Boeing B-29 on assembly line at Renton Plant
Boeing B-29 over Japan 29th Bomb Group 21
Boeing B-29 Superfortress
Boeing B-29 Superfortress
Boeing B-29 Superfortress 4
Boeing B-29 Superfortress 42-24625 Nose Art Lady Mary Anna
Boeing B-29 Superfortress 42-24720 "Fu Kemal Tu" nose art
Boeing B-29 Superfortress 44-69754 "The Uninvited" nose art
Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber "Miss Lace" nose art
Boeing B-29 Superfortress crash landing
Boeing B-29 Superfortress Crashed on Beach
Boeing B-29 Superfortress damaged Tinian
Boeing B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay 82
Boeing B-29 Superfortress front view
Boeing B-29 Superfortress front view 3
Boeing B-29 Superfortress in Boeing factory
Boeing B-29 Superfortress of 462nd Bomb Group 468th Bomb Squadron, "Rush Order" on the ground in India 1944, 42-63393
Boeing B-29 Superfortress of the 500th Bomb Group, number 39
Boeing B-29 Superfortress of the 505th Bomb Group 74
Boeing B-29-30-BW Superfortress of the 40th BG, 25th BS, nose art "Deacon's Disciples", 42-24492
Boeing B-29-30-BW Superfortress of the 468th Bomb Group, s/n 42-24471 Anshan China Raid 1944
Boeing B-29-30-BW Superfortress, 462nd Bomb Group formation over India in the fall of 1944, 42-24506
Boeing B-29-40-BW of the 497th Bomb Group 870th Squadron, "THUMPER" nose art, s/n 42-24623, Tinian 1945
Boeing B-29-40-BW Superfortress bomber of the 498th BG, 873rd BS, "DEVIL'S DARLIN" nose art, Tinian 1945, s/n 42-24629
Boeing B-29-40-BW Superfortress nose art "Forbidden Fruit", 42-24607
Boeing B-29-40-BW Superfortress of the 498th bomb group 875th squadron, "FORBIDDEN FRUIT" nose art, s/n 42-24607 Tinian 1945
Boeing B-29-40-BW Superfortress of the 498th Bomb Group, "TORCHY" nose art, Tinian 1945, s/n 42-24646
Boeing B-29-45-BW Superfortress of the 444th Bomb Group, 676th Bomb Squadron, "FU-KEMAL-TU" nose art, s/n 42-24720
Boeing B-29-45-BW Superfortress, Nose Art "Pacific Playboys" 42-24764
Boeing B-29-5-BW Superfortress of the 40th Bomb Group 25th Bomb Squadron, s/n 42-6298
Boeing B-29-50-BW Superfortress of the 504th BG, 421st BS, "The Moose Is Loose!" nose art, s/n 42-24851
Boeing B-29-50-BW Superfortress of the 505th BG, 483rd BS, Nose Art "In The Mood", s/n 42-24826
Boeing B-29-50-BW Superfortress of the 6th Bomb Group, nose art White Mistress, 42-24776
Boeing B-29-50-BW Superfortress, Nose Art "Dragon Lady", s/n 42-24778
Boeing B-29A-10-BN Superfortress of the 444th Bomb Group, "Urgin Virgin II" nose art, 42-93884
Boeing B-29A-35-BN Superfortress (later F-13A), 44-61528 Parked on Airstrip Harmon Field Guam
Boeing B-29A-5 with 20 mm cannon in tail turret
Boeing B-29A-5-BN Superfortress bomber "TOKYO ROSE" nose art, Tinian 1945 s/n 42-93852
Boeing F-13 Superfortress of the 11th PRG, 3rd PRS, "POISON IVY" nose art, 42-24585
Boeing F-13A Double Exposure 42-24877 of the 3rd PRS, Saipan
Boeing Superfortress "HELLON WINGS" nose art, s/n 42-93857
Boeing Superfortress "SUPINE SUE" nose art, Tinian 1945, s/n 42-24653
Boeing XB-29 Superfortress serial 41-002 - first prototype
Bomber "NO SWEAT" nose art 44-87618
BOMBS STACKED for B-29 bombers
Building B-29 Superfortress bases in China February 1944
Crew of a B-29 "There'll Always Be a Christmas", 881st Bomb Squadron, 500th Bomb Group.
Damaged B-29 Superfortress on Tinian, #19
Damaged tail of 504th BG, 24th BS B-29 Superfortress on Tinian, 1945
Destroyed B-29 of the 498th Bomb Group
F-13 42-24589 "Calamity Jane" of the 25th BS, 40th Bomb Group refuels at 118th TRS Fighter Base
F-13 Superfortress of the Flight C, 1st Photo Reconnaissance Squadron, CBI
Flames trail engine of B-29 Superfortress over Kobe, July 1945
Flight Engineer at instrument panel aboard B-29 Superfortress
Ground crew at work on B-29 Superfortress from XXI Bomber Command on Saipan
Loading 12,000 lb US Tallboy bomb on B-29 Superfortress Marianas
Mechanics work on B-29 engine Wright R-3350
soldiers Rest Under Wing of Boeing B-29 at Marianas Base
Superfortress "Bengal Lancer" 42-24487
Superfortress "Heavenly Body" 42-63510 of the 498th BG, 874th BS
Superfortress "IRISH LASSIE" of the 497th Bomb Group, 5246
Superfortress "Mona" nose art
Superfortress "Supine Sue" of the 500th bomb group on SAIPAN, #4653
Superfortress "The Herd Of Bald Goats", 44-70005
Superfortress 42-24442 "Power Play" of the 468th Bomb Group
Superfortress 42-24695 of the 498th Bomb Group, 873rd BS
Superfortress 42-24802 K-333 of the 482nd Bomb Squadron, 505th Bomb Group
Superfortress 42-65276 of the 468 Bomb Group, 793rd BS India 1945
Superfortress 42-93982 "Island Queen"
Superfortress 462nd Bombardment Group en route home after bombing Rangoon docks on 3 November 1944
Superfortress Bomber "LUCKY LADY" nose art
Superfortress from 468th Bomb Group, 793rd BS, "Raidin Maiden II" nose art, s/n 42-65276
Superfortress of the 331st Bomb Group, "The Culture Vulture", Iwo Jima 10 March 1945
Superfortress of the 444th Bomb Group 677th BS, "Flying Stud II" nose art, s/n 42-24464, China 1944
Superfortress of the 498th Bomb Group, "Joltin' Josie, The Pacific Pioneer" nose art, 42-24614
Superfortress of the 505th BG Nose Art Steveadorable
Superfortress of the 505th BG, 483rd BS, Nose Art The "Padre And His Angels", 42-24839
Superfortress of the 9th Bomb Group, 5th BS "Nip Clipper" nose art, 42-63512, Tinian 1945
Superfortress s/n 42-65252 of the 462nd Bomb Group in China, January 1945
Superfortress, "Lady Eve" nose art January 1945, 42-65211
Two B-29 collide and fall to the sea - 869th Bomb Squadeon codes: A square 44 and A square 45
USAAF Crew Look at 29th bomb group B-29 Superfortress bombers GUAM
WAC in B-29 Superfortress waist gunner's seat - Guam 1945
YB-29 Superfortress serial 41-36960 in flight
Boeing B-29 Superfortress Evolved as a super bomber to bomb the Axis powers into submission, the Boeing B-29 Superfortress was the outcome of a prolonged series of design studies begun in the late 1930s. The heaviest combat aircraft of World War II, and the first in quantity production to employ pressurisation, authority was given in 1940 for three XB-29s, and a large number of B-29s were ordered “off the drawing board” to follow the 14 YB-29s. By the time the first XB-29 made its maiden flight on 21st September 1942. Total orders stood at 1,664 machines and production had been sub-contracted to a number of factories. By mid-I943, when the first unit was formed, it had been decided to use the bom¬ber against Japan only, and during the early summer of 1944 the type began bombing operations in the Far East, making its first raid on Tokyo in June 1944. From March 1945 raids were made by night as well as by day, primarily with incen¬diaries, which were most effective against the lightly-constructed Japanese buildings. The B-29 Superfortresses built thus far comprised over 3,600 B-29s and B-29As, all of which had an extensive (and largely remote-controlled) gun armament; the negligible opposition which was encountered, however, led to this being reduced to the bare minimum, with a consequent improvement in performance and bomb load, and the completion of a further 311 B-29B Superfortresses with tail guns only. On 6th August 1945 the history making B-29 “Enola Gay”, under the captaincy of Col. Paul Tibbetts, dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, heralding the end of World War II.
Production: 3627 aircrafts.
Design and Structure
- Type: Four-engine long-range heavy bomber.
- Wings:
- Configuration: Mid-wing cantilever monoplane.
- Wing Section: Boeing 117.
- Aspect Ratio: 11.5:1.
- Dihedral: 4½ degrees.
- Sweep: 7 degrees on the leading-edge, straight trailing-edge.
- Structure: Comprised of a center-section and two outer sections with detachable wing-tips. All-metal web-type structure covered with flush-riveted, butt-jointed metal skin. Features electrically-operated extensible flaps that increase the wing area by 19% and specialized trailing-edge flaps to reduce aerodynamic interference.
- Ailerons: Statically and aerodynamically balanced with combination trim and servo tabs.
- Fuselage:
- Construction: Circular-section semi-monocoque structure in five sections. Includes circumferential bulkheads and frames, extruded longerons and stringers, with a stressed metal skin. Contains three pressurized compartments connected by a crawl tunnel over the bomb-bays, except for the isolated tail compartment.
- Tail Unit:
- Type: Cantilever monoplane with a single fin and rudder. All-metal fixed surfaces and metal-framed, fabric-covered control surfaces with controllable trim-tabs.
- Landing Gear:
- Type: Retractable tricycle with oleo-pneumatic shock struts and twin wheels on the main gear. Double nose wheel with electrical retraction. Hydraulic wheel-brakes and a retractable tail bumper skid.
Power Plant
- Engines: Four 2,200 h.p. Wright R-3350-23 eighteen-cylinder radial air-cooled engines.
- Superchargers: Each engine features two General Electric exhaust-driven turbo-superchargers.
- Propellers: Hamilton-Standard Hydromatic four-blade constant-speed full-feathering airscrews, 16 ft. 7 in. (5 m) in diameter.
- Fuel and Oil: Self-sealing fuel cells integral with the wing structure, with a maximum capacity exceeding 8,000 U.S. gallons. Self-sealing oil tanks in each nacelle.
Accommodation
- Crew: Can accommodate a crew of 10 to 14.
- Crew Stations:
- Forward Compartment: Bombardier, pilot, co-pilot, navigator, engineer, and radio-operator. The pilot and co-pilot sit side-by-side, with an aisle in between.
- Second Compartment: Contains three gun-sighting stations with transparent blisters.
- Tail Compartment: Houses the tail gunner's position.
- Special Features: All crew positions are protected by armor or armored flak curtains. Pressurization and heating systems for all compartments.
- Crew Stations:
Armament
- Turrets:
- Four General Electric remotely-controlled and electrically-operated turrets, each with two .50 cal machine guns (two above and two below the fuselage).
- Bell electrically-operated tail turret equipped with one 20 mm cannon and two .50 cal guns.
- Sighting Stations: Five sighting stations controlling different turret configurations.
- Bomb Bays: Two bomb-bays (one forward and one aft of the wing center-section), allowing alternate bomb release for balance. Maximum bomb load is 20,000 lbs. (9,072 kg).
Specifications:
| variant | B-29 | B-29A | B-29B |
| crew | 11 | ||
| wingspan (m) | 43,05 | 43,36 | 43,05 |
| lenght (m) | 30,175 | 30,175 | 30,175 |
| height (m) | 8,46 | 8,46 | 8,46 |
| wing area (m2) | 161,30 | 161,50 | 161,50 |
| gross weight (kg) | 31815 | 32368 | 31298 |
| max take-off weight (kg) | 61235 | 61235 | 62142 |
| engines | Wright R-3350-23, 23A, 41, 57, 57A Cyclone, radial, twin row 18 cylinders, air cooled, supercharged,2200 hp for take-off, 2439 hp max combat | Wright R-3350-57, 57A, 59 Cyclone, radial, twin row 18 cylinders, air cooled, supercharged2200 hp for take-off,2439 hp max combat | Wright R-3350-41 Cyclone, radial, twin row 18 cylinders, air cooled, supercharged2200 hp for take-off, 2439 hp max combat |
| fuel (l) | 5046 | 4099 | |
| max speed (km/h) | 603 at 7620 m | 611 at 7620 m | 586 at 7620 m |
| cruising speed (km/h) | 322 - 402 | 322 - 402 | 338 - 362 |
| service ceiling (m) | 9710 | 10060 | 9750 |
| range (km) | 2575 - 3230 | 2900 - 6437 | 2900 - 6759 |
| climb to | 7620 m / 38 m (weight: 38895 kg) | 7620 m / 38 m (weight: 38895 kg) | |
| bombs (kg) | 2268 - 9072 | 2268 - 9072 | 9072 - 10342 |
| armament | 10 -12 x 12,7 mm, 1 x20 mm, | 12 x 12,7 mm | 5 x 12,7 mm |
| production | 2181 | 1119 | 311 |
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- Bombs Away! Representing the Air War over Europe and Japan - Wilfried Wilms, William Rasch
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- B-29 Superfortress in action - Squadron/Signal Publications Aircraft 165
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- Bringing the Thunder, The Missions of a WW II B-29 Pilot in the Pacific - Gordon Bennett Robertson Jr, Stackpole Military History Series
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