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United States' Boeing B-29 Superfortress1,2,3

Boeing B-29 Superfortress:
United States' Boeing B-29 Superfortress
Boeing B-29 Superfortress:
United States' Boeing B-29 Superfortress
Boeing B-29 Superfortress:
United States' Boeing B-29 Superfortress
Boeing B-29 Superfortress:
United States' Boeing B-29 Superfortress
Boeing B-29 Superfortress:
United States' Boeing B-29 Superfortress
Boeing B-29 Superfortress:
United States' Boeing B-29 Superfortress
   

Design

In 1940 the US Army Air Corps put out a requirement for a "hemisphere defense weapon."2 It was to carry 2,000 lb / 907 kg of bombs at 400 mph / 644 kph for 5,333 miles / 8,582 km.2 After Pearl Harbor the project was given priority.2

Originally it was intended to bomb Germany from the United States.1

Was first bomber to be pressurized.1,3 There was a tunnel that went over the bomb bay that connected the cabin with the rear area.1 Bunks were located in the rear area for the crew on long missions.1 There were two bomb bays that had winches to hoist the bombs.1

During take-off there was a retractable bumper that helped protect the tail.1 The B-29 had a tricycle undercarraige.3

$3 billion had been spent before the first plane flew.1

Prototype

The XB-29 first flew on September 21, 1942.2,3

Production

The B-29s were produced at Boeing Wichita, Bell Atlantic, Martin Omaha, and Boeing in Renton.2 Production started in late 1943.3

Variants

Usage

Pacific

It was decided to use the B-29s only in the Pacific against the Japanese.2

First use in China and India

The XX Bomber Command used the B-29s first from China and India.2 The B-29 equipped four groups.3

The 58th Bomb Wing received the first YB-29s in July 1943.2 B-29-BWs arrived three months later.2

Bangkok Raid

On June 5, 1944 the first raid on Bangkok was conducted by four groups that had moved to India in early 1944.2,3 On June 15, 1944 the B-29s bombed the Japanese mainland.2,3

Mariana Island Bases

B-29s started missions from the Mariana Islands in October 1944.3

Low Level Raids

The bombing campaign against mainland Japan wasn't very success by attacking from high level raids.2 On March 9, 1945 the raids were switch to low-level incendiary raids.2

Atomic Bombs

The 393rd Bomb Squadron dropped an atomic bomb ("Little Boy") on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 from "Enola Gay."2 On August 9, 1945 Fat Boy was dropped on Nagasaki.2

Korea

Only the F-86 Sabre shot down more enemy aircraft.1

Usage by the United Kingdom

Was called the Washington.1 88 were flown by the Royal Air Force (RAF).3

Usage by Russia

The Tu-4 bomber was copied from the B-29 by the Tupolev design bureau.1

  Boeing B-29 Superfortress1,3 Boeing B-29A Superfortress2
Type Long-range strategic bomber1
Heavy bomber3
Heavy bomber2
Crew 10-111, 10-143
Pilots (2), bombardier, navigator, flight engineer, radio operator, radar operator, central gunner, left gunner, right gunner, tail gunner1
102
Engine (Type) 4: Wright R-3350 Cyclone 18 turbo charged piston1
4: Wright R-3350-23, -51, -57 Cyclone3
4: Wright R-3350-57 piston2
Cylinders Radial1, Radial 183 Radial2
Cooling    
HP 2,200 each1,3 2,200 each2
Propeller blades 4 each3  
Dimensions    
Span 141' 3"1,3
43.05 m1,3
142' 3"2
43.36 m2
Length 99'3, 99' 2"1
30.18 m1,3
99'2
30.18 m2
Height 27' 9"3, 29' 7"1
8.46 m3, 9.02 m1
29' 7"2
9.01 m2
Wing area 1,736 ft2 1
161.27 m2 1
1,736 ft2 2
161.27 m2 2
Weight    
Empty 70,140 lb1, 71,360 lb3
31,815 kg1, 32,370 kg3
71,360 lb2
32,269 kg2
Loaded 123,999 lb1, 138,000 lb3
56,245 kg1, 62, 597 kg3
141,100 lb2
64,003 kg2
Performance    
Speed 358 mph1
576 kph1
 
Speed @ 20,000' /
6,096 m
344 mph3
553 kph3
 
Speed @ 25,000' /
7,620 m
  358 mph2
576 kph2
Maximum cruising speed 328 mph3
529 kph3
 
Range cruising 230 mph3
370 kph3
 
Climb 900'/minute3
274 m/minute3
 
Climb to 20,000' /
6,095 m
  38 minutes2
Service ceiling 30,085'1, 31,850'3
9,170 m1, 9,700 m3
31,800'2
9,695 m2
Range 3,250 miles1
5,230 km1
4,100 miles2
6,598 km2
Range with 5,000 lb 3,250 miles3
5,230 km3
 
Range with 12,000 lb 2,647 miles3
4,260 km3
 
Range with 20,000 lb /
9,080 kg
1,950 miles3
3,138 km3
 
Armament 1: 20 mm3
10-12: 0.5" MG3
 
Remotely controlled turrets 4: turrets, 2: 12.7 mm MG each1  
Tail turret 3: 12.7 mm MG1 1: 20 mm2
2: 12.7 mm2
OR 2: 12.7 mm MG1
1: 20 mm1
 
Over nose turret   4: 12.7 mm MG2
Under nose turret   2: 12.7 mm MG2
Over rear fuselage turret   2: 12.7 mm MG2
Bombs 20,000 lb1,3
9,072 kg1,3
20,000 lb2
9,072 kg2

Sources:

  1. Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
  2. Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
  3. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
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