Boeing B-29 Superfortress

Boeing B-29 Superfortress History

The Boeing B-29 "Superfortress" will forever be linked to the atomic bombs dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to help end World War 2 ("Bock's Car" and the "Enola Gay" were the selected aircraft). However, before the B-29 signaled the beginning of the end of the conflict, it served as a nearly untouchable, high-altitude, heavy bombing platform with revolutionary technologies incorporated throughout her impressive design. The Boeing B-29 only served in the Pacific Theater against the Empire of Japan during the war and was never called to action over Europe as the war against Germany was winding down by April-May of 1945. However, the bomber series would go one to serve extensively throughout the upcoming Korean War (1950-1953), solidifying its place in American military aviation history.

The B-29, like the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress before it, was developed to a US Army Air Corps (USAAC) requirement for a high-level heavy bomber capable of extended operational ranges and increased payloads while operating at speeds nearing 400 miles per hour. The range requirement was of particular note due to the vast distances encountered in the Pacific. The B-29 program began slowly and appeared prior to America's entry into World War 2. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor (December 7th, 1941), the B-29 program was pushed into full gear as the need for modern bombers was apparent. The first of three "XB-29" prototypes took to the air in 1942 with government orders already secured for over 1,500 production-quality units.

Production of B-29 Superfortress was split between several factories managed under different contractors to keep up with demand. This would ultimately include Boeing, Bell, and Martin - all being military aircraft powerhouses during this period - and production totaled nearly 4,000 examples before the end of the run. An improved B-29 model appeared in the years following the war and this example was designated the "B-50". Outwardly similar to the original B-29, the B-50 was completed with some 75% of the airframe newly designed, hence her all-new designation. The B-50 was differentiated from her predecessor by a revised vertical tail fin as well as more powerful engines. Additionally, the B-50's structure was further strengthened. This variant appeared in 1948 and was produced in about 370 examples up until 1953.

Beyond the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia both utilized the B-29 Superfortress in their respective air service inventories. The Soviet Union, always willing to gain more ground in the technology field against its American adversaries, reverse-engineered B-29s from three captured examples forced to land in Soviet territory after raids over Japan (among these was the "Ramp Tramp"). On Stalin's orders, the Tupolev concern took up the task and worked out the Boeing product right down to the final rivets - resulting in the Tupolev Tu-4 "Bull" which, itself, spawned the Tupolev Tu-70 dedicated transport platform. By all accounts, the Tu-4 was nothing more than an inferior copy of the excellent American product but nonetheless advanced the Soviet bomber program considerably.

The B-29 proved a critical design achievement for the American military, particularly concerning actions in World War 2 and Korea (1950-1953). It undoubtedly lay the ground work for future projects that would ultimately culminate in the world-renowned Boeing B-52 "Stratofortress" of Vietnam War (1955-1975) fame. The B-52 essentially marked the end of the dedicated Boeing "heavy bomber" era as the mantel was eventually taken over by the sleek swing-wing Rockwell B-1 "Lancer" and the technologically-advanced Northrop B-2 "Spirit" stealth bomber and missile-launching warships and submarines. Despite this, the B-52 continues to fly in a frontline role today.

Boeing B-29 Superfortress Specification

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