B-29 Superfortress

B-29 Superfortress
Name	B-29 Superfortress
Caption	A B-29 Superfortress in flight.
Type	Heavy bomber
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Boeing
First flight	21 September 1942
Introduction	8 May 1944
Retired	21 June 1960
Status	Retired
Primary user	United States Army Air Forces
More users	Royal Air Force (as the Washington), United States Air Force
Produced	1943–1946
Number built	3,970
Unit cost	$639,188
Developed into	B-50 Superfortress

B-29 Superfortress was a four-engine Heavy bomber aircraft designed by Boeing and operated primarily by the United States Army Air Forces during World War II and the Korean War. It represented a significant leap in aviation technology, featuring a pressurized cabin, a central fire-control system, and remote-controlled gun turrets. The aircraft is most historically significant for its role in the Pacific War, including the Bombing of Tokyo and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Development and design

The development of the aircraft was initiated by the United States Army Air Corps in 1939, driven by a need for a strategic bomber capable of very long-range operations. The project, led by Boeing under the guidance of engineers like Edward Curtis Wells, faced immense technical challenges, particularly in creating a reliable and powerful engine, the Wright R-3350 Duplex-Cyclone. Key innovations included a fully pressurized cabin for the crew, which was a first for a bomber, and a sophisticated, computerized General Electric central fire-control system that allowed gunners to operate remote turrets. The design underwent rigorous testing at facilities like Wright Field, with the XB-29 prototype making its first flight from Boeing Field in Seattle. The immense cost and complexity of the program, which involved a nationwide manufacturing effort coordinated by the War Production Board, made it the most expensive weapons project of the war.

Operational history

The aircraft entered combat in June 1944, deployed from bases in China and later the Mariana Islands, including Tinian and Saipan, as part of the Twentieth Air Force under the command of General Curtis LeMay. Its primary mission was the strategic Bombing of Tokyo and other Japanese cities, a campaign that escalated into devastating low-altitude incendiary raids, such as the Bombing of Tokyo (10 March 1945). Its most famous missions were the atomic bombings, where the Enola Gay dropped "Little Boy" on Hiroshima and Bockscar dropped "Fat Man" on Nagasaki. After World War II, it served extensively in the Korean War, conducting conventional bombing campaigns against targets in North Korea. It also performed reconnaissance duties and served as a mothership for experimental aircraft like the Bell X-1.

Variants

Several specialized variants were produced to fulfill different roles. The B-29A featured a strengthened wing and was built at the Boeing plant in Renton, Washington. The B-29B was a stripped-down model with reduced defensive armament for weight savings. The F-13 was a photographic reconnaissance version used extensively for pre- and post-strike assessment. Post-war, the design was significantly upgraded into the B-50, which featured more powerful Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major engines. Other derivatives included the KB-29 tanker for aerial refueling and the SB-29 rescue plane.

Operators

The primary operator was the United States Army Air Forces, which transitioned into the United States Air Force in 1947. The Royal Air Force leased approximately 90 aircraft, which they designated the Washington, to serve as an interim strategic bomber until the arrival of the English Electric Canberra. After being retired from frontline U.S. service, some were transferred to the United States Navy for utility and target-towing duties. A small number were also used by the Royal Australian Air Force for radar calibration and research.

Specifications (B-29)

* **Crew:** 11 (Aircraft Commander, Pilot, Flight Engineer, Bombardier, Navigator, Radio Operator, Radar Observer, and four gunners) * **Length:** 99 ft 0 in (30.18 m) * **Wingspan:** 141 ft 3 in (43.05 m) * **Height:** 27 ft 9 in (8.46 m) * **Empty weight:** 74,500 lb (33,800 kg) * **Max takeoff weight:** 133,500 lb (60,560 kg) * **Powerplant:** 4 × Wright R-3350-23 Duplex-Cyclone 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines * **Maximum speed:** 357 mph (575 km/h, 310 kn) * **Range:** 3,250 mi (5,230 km, 2,820 nmi) * **Service ceiling:** 31,850 ft (9,710 m) * **Armament:** 10 × .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns in remote turrets, 1 × 20 mm M2 cannon in tail; up to 20,000 lb (9,100 kg) of bombs internally

Cultural impact

The aircraft occupies a prominent and complex place in history and popular culture. It is celebrated in American history as the weapon that helped end World War II, with examples like the Enola Gay displayed at the National Air and Space Museum. It has been featured in numerous films, such as The War Lover and The Last Bomb, and is a staple of aviation literature. Conversely, its use in the Bombing of Tokyo and the atomic bombings has made it a potent symbol of the horrors of total war and the dawn of the Atomic Age, subjects of enduring ethical debate in works like the documentary The Fog of War. Its distinctive silhouette remains an iconic image of mid-20th century American air power.

Category:Heavy bombers Category:World War II American bombers Category:Boeing aircraft