- Crew of a B-29 “There’ll Always Be a Christmas”, 881st Bomb Squadron, 500th Bomb Group.
- 42-24589 “Calamity Jane” converted to F-13 from 25th BS, 40th Bomb Group after emergency landing at Chengkung Fighter Base
- F-13 42-24589 “Calamity Jane” of the 25th BS, 40th Bomb Group refuels at 118th TRS Fighter Base
- 1st prototype XB-29 41-002 “The Flying Guinea Pig” 1942
- Ground crew at work on B-29 Superfortress from XXI Bomber Command on Saipan
- Boeing B-29A-5 with 20 mm cannon in tail turret
- Flames trail engine of B-29 Superfortress over Kobe, July 1945
- Boeing B-29 from 498th Bomb Group fly into Japan
- B-29 goes down over Kyushu
- WAC in B-29 Superfortress waist gunner’s seat – Guam 1945
- B-29 A square 15 bombing a target
- B-29 drop their bombs on Tachiarai, Japan
- Damaged tail of 504th BG, 24th BS B-29 Superfortress on Tinian, 1945
- Boeing B-29 on assembly line at Renton Plant
- B-29 13 44-69929 “Misti Christi” of the 497th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), 869th Bomb Squadron – Saipan
- Superfortress 462nd Bombardment Group en route home after bombing Rangoon docks on 3 November 1944
- B-29 on assembly line at Wichita Plant 1944
- Loading 12,000 lb US Tallboy bomb on B-29 Superfortress Marianas
- 5400 kg (12,000 lb) Blockbuster bomb falling from B-29, 1945
- B-29 from 21st BC falls to sea after hit over Japan 1945
- Two B-29 collide and fall to the sea – 869th Bomb Squadeon codes: A square 44 and A square 45
- Boeing B-29 from the 497th BG: A square 15 and A square 6
- Boeing XB-29 Superfortress serial 41-002 – first prototype
- Flight Engineer at instrument panel aboard B-29 Superfortress
- Boeing B-29 during ground maintenance – 29th Bomb Group
- Mechanics work on B-29 engine Wright R-3350
- YB-29 Superfortress serial 41-36960 in flight
- 21st BC crew working on engine of B-29. 1945
- B 24 LIBERATOR + B 29 bombers
- Boeing B-29A-10-BN Superfortress of the 444th Bomb Group, “Urgin Virgin II” nose art, 42-93884
- Boeing B-29 over Japan 29th Bomb Group 21
- B-29 Superfortress Formation of the 29th Bomb Group 314th Bomb Wing
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress 42-24625 Nose Art Lady Mary Anna
- Boeing B-29 of the 462nd Bomb Group raid on Rangoon on November 3 1944
- B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay 82
- B-29 Superfortress of the 505th Bomb Group, number 74 and 69
- B-29 of the 462nd Bomb Group en route home after hitting the Rangoon Burma docks on November 3 1944
- B-29 Superfortress “Shrewd Maneuvers” nose art Guam
- 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 505th Bomb Group 74
- B-29 Superfortress of 499th Bomb Group flies over Mount Fuji during World War II
- Superfortress of the 9th Bomb Group, 5th BS “Nip Clipper” nose art, 42-63512, Tinian 1945
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay 82
- Superfortress, “Lady Eve” nose art January 1945, 42-65211
- Boeing B-29-30-BW Superfortress, 462nd Bomb Group formation over India in the fall of 1944, 42-24506
- Superfortress of the 498th Bomb Group, “Joltin’ Josie, The Pacific Pioneer” nose art, 42-24614
- B-29 burning at Isley Field. Japanese Strike Back On Saipan 27 November 1944
- B-29s Superfortress bombers of the 468th Bomb Group
- soldiers Rest Under Wing of Boeing B-29 at Marianas Base
- F-13 Superfortress of the Flight C, 1st Photo Reconnaissance Squadron, CBI
- B-29 Superfortress after crash landing
- B-29 Superfortress bomber Enola Gay 82
- B-29 Superfortress of the 504th Bomb Group 24th BS, number 4, Tinian 1945
- Superfortress “IRISH LASSIE” of the 497th Bomb Group, 5246
- B-29 bombers of 468th preparing to launch for Rangoon Burma from India 17 March 1945
- B-29 Superfortress X 15 of the 9th Bomb Group,
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress crash landing
- B-29 Superfortress of the 498th Bomb Group, Formation and Smoke Over Tokyo From Bombs
- B-29 Superfortress Radio Operator station
- B-29 Superfortress of the 504th Bomb Group 398th BS, Nose Art “Coral Queen”, 1945 s/n 42-63499
- Boeing F-13A Double Exposure 42-24877 of the 3rd PRS, Saipan
- Boeing B-29-50-BW Superfortress, Nose Art “Dragon Lady”, s/n 42-24778
- B-29 base Northfield Airfield Tinian 2
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress 4
- B-29 Bomber “HEAVENLY BODY” nose art
- B-29 of the 16th Group in flight
- B-29 base Northfield Airfield Tinian
- B-29 Superfortress of 42-94063 from 6th BG, 24th Bomb Squadron – Nose Art “The Wolfpack”
- B-29 Superfortress Nose Art Ncb 27th Spec
- Boeing B-29 “Bockscar” nose art, s/n 44-27297 #77
- B-29-10-BA Superfortress of the 462nd BG, 768th BS, Nose Art “Rush Order”, s/n 42-63393
- Boeing B-29-5-BW Superfortress of the 40th Bomb Group 25th Bomb Squadron, s/n 42-6298
- B-29 Superfortress RUFF’N READY nose art K-300
- B-29 Superfortress bomber “HONEY” of the 499th bomb group Saipan
- B-29 bomber of 29th Bomb Group landing on Guam 2
- Boeing B-29 of the 29th Bomb Group, Guam
- Superfortress “The Herd Of Bald Goats”, 44-70005
- Superfortress of the 505th BG Nose Art Steveadorable
- B-29 Superfortress Nose Art Photo
- Boeing B-29-45-BW Superfortress, Nose Art “Pacific Playboys” 42-24764
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress front view 3
- Superfortress 42-24802 K-333 of the 482nd Bomb Squadron, 505th Bomb Group
- B-29 Superfortress Nose Art 121 Sea Bees 505th bomb group 42-24815
- B-29 Superfortress 42-24788, Nose Art “Kro’s Kids” of the 504th Bomb Group, January 1945
- B-29 Superfortress Bomber LUCKY LEVEN of the 873rd Bomb Squadron, 498th Bomb Group
- B-29 Superfortress Nose Art 17th Aaa Bn. Bull Dog
- B-29s of the 498th Bomb Group Bombers Flying Over Mount Fuji Japan
- B-29 Superfortress of the 505th BG, 482nd BS, Nose Art “Country Gentleman”, 42-24793
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress
- B-29 of 29th Bomb Group landing on Guam 3
- B-29 Superfortress Nose Art “Aviation Engineer”
- B-29 bombers base Northfield Airfield Tinian 3
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress 2
- B-29 Superfortress Nose Art 110th NCB
- B-29 bomber O 13 of 29th Bomb Group landing on Guam
- Superfortress of the 505th BG, 483rd BS, Nose Art The “Padre And His Angels”, 42-24839
- B-29 Superfortress Nose Art Nip Clipper
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress front view
- 42-65227 468th Bombardment Group, 792nd Bomb Squadron 1944
- B-29 Superfortress Bombers On Tinian
- Destroyed B-29 of the 498th Bomb Group
- Boeing B-29-50-BW Superfortress of the 505th BG, 483rd BS, Nose Art “In The Mood”, s/n 42-24826
- Superfortress 42-93982 “Island Queen”
- B-29 bomber of 500th bomb group, #11 on SAIPAIN PTO
- USAAF Crew Look at 29th bomb group B-29 Superfortress bombers GUAM
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress 44-69754 “The Uninvited” nose art
- B-29 Crew Chats with Navy Seabees at Marianas Base
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress 42-24720 “Fu Kemal Tu” nose art
- Boeing B-29-40-BW Superfortress bomber of the 498th BG, 873rd BS, “DEVIL’S DARLIN” nose art, Tinian 1945, s/n 42-24629
- B-29-20-BA Superfortress of the 468th BG, 793rd BS, “Lassie Too!” nose art, s/n 42-63460
- Superfortress 42-24442 “Power Play” of the 468th Bomb Group
- 6th bomb group Superfortress “Dearly Beloved” on Okinawa August 1945
- 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.
- BOMBS STACKED for B-29 bombers
- B-29 Superfortress 42-24513 from of 40th Bomb Group, 25 BS – SWEAT’ER OUT nose art, Tinian 1945
- B-29 Superfortress bombers base Isley airfield on SAIPAN
- B-29 Superfortress bombers on TINIAN airfield Pacific
- Superfortress from 468th Bomb Group, 793rd BS, “Raidin Maiden II” nose art, s/n 42-65276
- Damaged B-29 Superfortress on Tinian, #19
- B-29-1-BA Superfortress of the 468th bomb group 793rd BS, “Lassie” nose art, CBI 1944-1945, s/n 42-63356
- Superfortress “Mona” nose art
- Superfortress of the 444th Bomb Group 677th BS, “Flying Stud II” nose art, s/n 42-24464, China 1944
- B-29 Superfortress “Undecided” nose art
- B-29 Superfortress bomber TINIAN airfield PTO
- B-29 Superfortress bomber CREW on TINIAN airfield Pacific
- B-29 Superfortress bombers on SAIPAN airfield
- Superfortress of the 331st Bomb Group, “The Culture Vulture”, Iwo Jima 10 March 1945
- Boeing Superfortress “SUPINE SUE” nose art, Tinian 1945, s/n 42-24653
- B-29-15-BA Superfortress “PACIFIC QUEEN” nose art, Tinian 1945, 42-63429
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress damaged Tinian
- 468th bomb group 792nd BS Superfortress 42-6279 “Postville Express” in CBI 1944-45
- Superfortress “Bengal Lancer” 42-24487
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber “Miss Lace” nose art
- B-29 Superfortress bombers of 499th bomb group on SAIPAN
- 468th bomb group Superfortress Formation over Rangoon Burma November 1944
- Superfortress “Supine Sue” of the 500th bomb group on SAIPAN, #4653
- Boeing B-29-40-BW Superfortress of the 498th Bomb Group, “TORCHY” nose art, Tinian 1945, s/n 42-24646
- 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-29-50-BW Superfortress of the 504th BG, 421st BS, “The Moose Is Loose!” nose art, s/n 42-24851
- B-29 Superfortress of the 497th Bomb Group 869th BS – “OUR BABY” nose art, Tinian 1945
- Boeing B-29A-5-BN Superfortress bomber “TOKYO ROSE” nose art, Tinian 1945 s/n 42-93852
- Boeing B-29-40-BW of the 497th Bomb Group 870th Squadron, “THUMPER” nose art, s/n 42-24623, Tinian 1945
- B-29-25-MO Superfortress bomber “DESTINY’S TOTS” nose art Tinian 1945, 42-65293
- B-29 bombers base Isley airfield SAIPAN
- B-29-15-BA Superfortress “SNAFU PERFORT” nose art, Tinian 1945, 42-63435
- B-29 Superfortress of the 39th Bomb group – mission to Hiratsuka Japan on July 16th 1945
- B-29 Superfortress of the 314th Bomb Wing at Guam
- B-29 Enola Gay Col Tibbets
- Boeing Superfortress “HELLON WINGS” nose art, s/n 42-93857
- Superfortress Bomber “LUCKY LADY” nose art
- Bomber “NO SWEAT” nose art 44-87618
- B-29 Superfortress bombers from 29th Bomb Group in flight during World War II
- Boeing B-29-30-BW Superfortress of the 468th Bomb Group, s/n 42-24471 Anshan China Raid 1944
- Building B-29 Superfortress bases in China February 1944
- B-29 Superfortress nose art photo
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress Crashed on Beach
- Boeing B-29A-35-BN Superfortress (later F-13A), 44-61528 Parked on Airstrip Harmon Field Guam
- B-29 Superfortress of the 314th Bomb Wing 29th Bomb Group in flight
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress of the 500th Bomb Group, number 39
- B-29 Superfortress Bomber “HELL’S BELLE” K-350R
- B-29 Superfortress of the 19th Bomb Group on Bomb Run
- B-29 Superfortress of the 501st Bomb Group crashed on beach
- B-29 Superfortress 314th Bomb Wing at Guam
- B-29 Superfortress of the 314 Bomb Wing formation
- B-29 Superfortress in Flight Photograph 314 Bomb Wing
- Superfortress 42-24695 of the 498th Bomb Group, 873rd BS
- B-29-1-MO Superfortress s/n 42-6229 of the 468th Bomb Group, 793rd Bomb Squadron, air base in India june 1944
- Superfortress s/n 42-65252 of the 462nd Bomb Group in China, January 1945
- Boeing B-29 engine
- B-29-15-BA Superfortress of the 499th BG, 877th BS, nose art “Inspiration” 42-63440
- Superfortress 42-65276 of the 468 Bomb Group, 793rd BS India 1945
- Ancient methods build B-29 bases china 1944
- B-29 Superfortress crash Iwo Jima
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress in Boeing factory
- Boeing B-29-45-BW Superfortress of the 444th Bomb Group, 676th Bomb Squadron, “FU-KEMAL-TU” nose art, s/n 42-24720
- Boeing F-13 Superfortress of the 11th PRG, 3rd PRS, “POISON IVY” nose art, 42-24585
- B-29 Superfortress of the 314 Bomb Wing 29 Bomb Group in Flight
- B-29 Superfortress Easy’s Aces and crew
- Boeing B-29 of the 444th Bomb Group 676 BS, “Shanghai Lil Rides Again” nose art, s/n 42-24723
- B-29 Superfortress bombers of the 9 Bomb Group on Iwo Jima 1945. 42-93915 X triangle 40
- Boeing B-29-40-BW Superfortress nose art “Forbidden Fruit”, 42-24607
- B-29 42-63495 “Fast Company” of the 877th Bomb Squadron, 499th Bomb Group
- Boeing B-29-50-BW Superfortress of the 6th Bomb Group, nose art White Mistress, 42-24776
- B-29 Superfortress of 314th Bomb Wing at Guam 1945
- Superfortress “Heavenly Body” 42-63510 of the 498th BG, 874th BS
- B-29 Superfortress of the 497th Bomb Group, READY FOR TAKE OFF MARIANAS December 1944
- B-29-20-MO Superfortress nose art “20th Century Sweetheart” 42-65251
- Boeing B-29-30-BW Superfortress of the 40th BG, 25th BS, nose art “Deacon’s Disciples”, 42-24492
- B-29-25-BA Superfortress of the 499th Bomb Group, nose art “Ramp Queen”, 42-63513
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.
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 |
Reference:
- Superfortress The Boeing B-29 by Steve Birdsall – Squadron/Signal Publications 6028, 1984
- Boeing B-29 – Famous Airplanes of the World 52, Bunrindo 1994
- B-29 Superfortress Giant Bomber of World War 2 and Korea – Graham Simons
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress – John M. Campbell, American Bomber Aircraft in World War II, Schiffer Publishing Ltd 2004
- The B-29 Superfortress Chronology 1934-1960 – Robert A. Mann, McFarland 2009
- The Enola Gay, The B-29 That Dropped the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima – Norman Polmar
- Superfortress, The Boeing B-29 and American Airpower in World War II – Curtis LeMay, Bill Yenne
- B-29 Superfortress Units of World War 2 – Robert F. Dorr, Osprey Combat Aircraft 33
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress – Steve Pace, Crowood Aviation Series 2003
- The B-29 Book – Frederick A. Johnsen 1978
- B-29 Hunters of the JAAF – Koji Takaki and Henry Sakaida, Osprey Aviation Elite Units 5
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress U.S.A.A.F. 1942-1945 – Roger A. Freeman, Camouflage & Markings Number 19
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress – Peter M. Bowers, Warbird Tech Series Volume 14, 1999
- B-29 Superfortress – in Detail & Scale Vol. 10 – Part 1 Production Version, Alwyn T. Lloyd
- B-29 Superfortress – in Detail & Scale Vol. 25 – Part 2 Derivatives, Alwyn T. Lloyd
- The Boeing B-29 Superfortress – Mitch Mayborn, Profile Publications Number 101
- S. Army Air Forces In The Pacific – Aero Pictorials 2
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Combat Aircraft of World War II – Bill Gunston
- Cataclysm, General Hap Arnold and the Defeat of Japan – Herman S. Wolk, University of North Texas Press
- Burning Japan – Air Force Bombing Strategy Change in the Pacific – Daniel T. Schwabe
- Whirlwind The Air War Against Japan 1942-1945 – Barrett Tillman
- Bombs Away! Representing the Air War over Europe and Japan – Wilfried Wilms, William Rasch
- B-29 Superfortress Units of the Korean War – Robert F. Dorr, Osprey Combat Aircraft 042
- B-29 Superfortress in action – Stive Birdsall, Squadron/Signal Publications Aircraft 31
- B-29 Superfortress in action – Squadron/Signal Publications Aircraft 165
- B-29 The Superfortress – Mantelli, Brown, Kittel, Graf; 2014
- Bringing the Thunder, The Missions of a WW II B-29 Pilot in the Pacific – Gordon Bennett Robertson Jr, Stackpole Military History Series
- The B-29 Airplane Commander Training Manual for the Superfortress – Headquarters AAF 1945
- B-29 Combat Crew Manual – XX Bomber Command 1944