M2 High Speed Tractor towing B-29 K-106 of 40th BG China September 1944
The B-29 Superfortress was equipped with a tricycle landing gear system, which was relatively unusual at the time for bombers. This configuration offered several advantages in terms of stability and handling on the ground.
Main Landing Gear
- Type: Cantilever, consisting of two air-oil shock strut assemblies.
- Wheels: Each assembly had two wheels with 56-inch (1.42 m) diameter tread-type tires.
- Retraction: The landing gear retracted electrically, and an alternative motor was provided for emergency operation in case of power or motor failure.
- Brakes: The main wheels were equipped with expander tube type hydraulic brakes, operated conventionally from the rudder pedals.
Nose Landing Gear
- Operation: Operated simultaneously with the main landing gear.
- Components: Comprised a trunnion, a compression strut, two torsion links, a universal assembly, a retracting mechanism, a single air-oil shock strut, and dual wheels.
- Wheels: The dual wheels had 36-inch (0.91 m) smooth-type tires.
- Rotation: The wheel and axle assembly could turn through 360 degrees. Within 15 degrees of each side of the center position, a cam-and-roller mechanism would return the gear to the center position.
- Features: A towing lug was provided near the center of the axle assembly, and the shock absorber was mounted on the shock strut to prevent wheel shimmy.
Tail Skid
- Function: A retractable tail skid operated in conjunction with the landing gear to prevent damage to the aircraft during abrupt take-off rotations or tail-down landings.
The tricycle landing gear of the B-29 was innovative for its time, providing enhanced ground handling and stability. The electrically operated retraction system with an emergency backup motor ensured reliability. The combination of large main gear wheels with hydraulic brakes and a sophisticated nose gear with 360-degree rotation capability demonstrated the advanced engineering of the B-29’s landing gear system. The addition of a retractable tail skid further protected the aircraft during critical phases of take-off and landing.